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Amid a historic production slump in California, independent films are increasingly being tapped to receive tax credits to shoot in the state.

Of the 48 titles selected to receive filming subsidies, only five are feature films, announced the California Film Commission on Monday. They account for roughly an even split of the $96 million in tax credits that the state is allocating this round, down from years past when they made up a larger share of the total allotment.

The rising frequency of independent films qualifying for California’s film and TV incentive program reflects a broader trend in which big-budget, studio films are opting to shoot in states and countries with cheaper labor that give more subsidies to host Hollywood. The U.K. has become a favored destination, owing its popularity to allowing above-the-line costs, like pay for directors and actors, to qualify, among other reasons.

This shift led to Gov.

Hot on the heels of a series of pushes to increase film and television production in Los Angeles, the California Film Commission has announced 48 new productions that will film in the state thanks of its tax credit program — among them 43 independent features and projects from the likes of Ang Lee and Issa Rae. The announcement was the ninth such of the 2024-25 fiscal year.

“California didn’t earn its role as the heart of the entertainment world by accident — it was built over generations by skilled workers and creative talent pushing boundaries,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said. “Today’s awards help ensure this legacy continues, keeping cameras rolling here at home, supporting thousands of crew members behind the scenes and boosting local economies that depend on a strong film and television industry.”

The commission said that the projects will collectively generate $664 million in economic activity for the Golden State and employ roughly 6,500 workers,...

5 Seconds of Summer’s Michael Clifford will release his debut solo album Sidequest on July 25th. He is the third member of the group to launch a solo career.

Clifford’s album announcement came with the arrival of new single “Give Me a Break!” The song features Awsten Knight of Waterparks and has the pair reflecting on losing one’s identity in the face of burning out and criticism. Like lead single “Cool,” Clifford returns to his band’s pop-punk roots.

“I’d been really wanting to create something unique with Awsten and Waterparks,...

Calum Hood is still in the chaos realm of his forthcoming debut solo studio album Order Chaos Order, out June 13. The musician’s latest single, “Call Me When You Know Better,” digs deeper into the themes of critical self-reflection that surfaced on his previous release, “Don’t Forget You Love Me.”

“‘Call Me When You Know Better’ is a love letter in the form of an apology,” Hood shared in a statement. “For maybe not being the best lover or friend to the people who mean the most to me.

5 Seconds of Summer bassist Calum Hood steps into the spotlight alone on his solo debut “Don’t Forget You Love Me,” an enthralling introduction that finds him walking a tightrope between self-reflective (and at times self-destructive) despair and relieving reconciliation. The record will appear on his debut album Order Chaos Order, out June 13, which emerged from a kindred dichotomy.

“This album was made in a tumble dryer of knowing and not knowing. I started out with a vision — order — but quickly became overwhelmed by the process — chaos. Eventually, I learned to embrace both,...

Back in 2015, 5 Seconds of Summer inadvertently immortalized one of the most unnerving events in their lore-packed history when they titled a deep cut on their sophomore album “Catch Fire.” Months before the record arrived on the pop rock-infused Sounds Good, Feels Good, their guitarist Michael Clifford was burned by pyrotechnics onstage during a concert in London. He physically recovered, but after nearly a decade, the incident and the whirlwind experience of enduring the early years of 5Sos are still stirring up new contemplations. Only this time, Clifford is dissecting them...