How to Stop Runaway Production: Industry Leaders and WeHoCandidates Launch LA Film Town Hall #StayInLA

The ‘Film Here Work Here’ WeHo town hall brings together policy makers and creators to reclaim Los Angeles as the world’s entertainment capital.

In a critical move to protect Southern California’s creative economy, a coalition of high-profile entertainment industry leaders and political candidates will convene on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for an urgent town hall. Titled “Film Here Work Here,” the event aims to address the rising tide of “runaway production” and develop concrete strategies to bring film and television jobs back to the Los Angeles region.

Addressing the Production Crisis

For decades, Los Angeles has reigned as the world’s entertainment capital, but that status is under threat. A combination of aggressive tax incentives from competing regions, costly permitting processes, and significant bureaucratic hurdles has driven production elsewhere, resulting in the loss of thousands of local jobs. The town hall, held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Lot on Formosa, seeks to move the needle toward actionable solutions.

Bridging Policy and Production

The event is organized and moderated by Helen Krieger, a West Hollywood City Council candidate who advocates for making the city more film-friendly. Krieger has noted that West Hollywood is often cited as one of the most difficult places to film in the entire county.

Joining the discussion are political figures committed to reform:

• John Erickson: The State Senate District 24 candidate has made streamlining the filming process at the state level a cornerstone of his platform.
• Freddy Puza: As the Mayor of Culver City, Puza brings a track record of passing film-friendly regulations within his jurisdiction to keep local productions active.

Voices from the Industry

The panel features a diverse group of working professionals navigating the current production landscape:

• Bill Wolkoff and Chris Fisher: The Co-Executive Producer and Producing Director of Paramount+’s Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will discuss the unique hurdles and opportunities within digital and effects production.
• Bridget Stokes: The Emmy Award-winning director of A Black Lady Sketch Show will address how the current production decline specifically limits opportunities for under-represented directors.
• Diana C. Zollicoffer: Representing StayinLA and the indie sector, Zollicoffer will focus on supporting all economic levels of production.
• Michael Corrie: A Propmaster and Art Director representing the artistic co-op perspective.

Broad Industry Support

The urgency of the #stayinla movement is highlighted by a “Who’s Who” of Hollywood sponsors, including Kenya Barris (Black-ish), Dan Bree (Alone), Ariana Jackson (Lethal Weapon), and Christina Fialho. Their collective involvement signals a unified front across scripted, unscripted, and documentary content.

Event Details

The “Film Here Work Here” town hall is designed for open, solutions-oriented dialogue between those who make policy and those who make content.

• When: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Where: The Lot on Formosa, Los Angeles, CA
• Goal: To establish policy proposals that ensure Los Angeles remains the global engine of the creative economy.

Learn more information at StayInLA.org.