California awards $18.1 million in tax credits to *Clueless* series and Viola Davis’ *Ascent*

California has approved $18.1 million in new film and TV tax credits, with Los Angeles productions like the reboot of *Clueless* and Viola Davis’ upcoming series *Ascent* among the winners. The state’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program, run by the California Film Commission, announced the allocations on Wednesday, bringing the total funding for this year’s cycle to over $100 million. Projects must start filming in the state within the next year to qualify.

The annual credit program is designed to keep Hollywood production in California by offsetting costs for shows and films shot there. This year’s round prioritized projects from underrepresented creators and those filming in disadvantaged areas. *Clueless* creator Amy Heckerling is returning for the new series, while Davis’ *Ascent*—a drama about a Black woman’s rise in corporate America—will be produced by her JuVee Productions. Other recipients include a reboot of *Silk Stalkings* and a new procedural from the team behind *Perception*.

The credits cover 20-25% of qualified in-state spending, capped at $330 million per year. Over 400 applications were submitted for this cycle, with only a fraction receiving funding. The commission said winners were chosen based on artistic merit, economic impact, and diversity. Projects must spend at least 75% of their budgets in California to qualify.

The allocations come as studios increasingly look outside the state for tax incentives, with Georgia and New York offering competitive programs. Keeping productions in California is seen as vital for local jobs and the broader entertainment economy. The next application deadline is October 31, with another round of funding expected to be announced in early 2025.