*Projects with a budget less than $3 million must spend at least $250,000 in San Francisco. For all other projects, the minimum spend requirement is $500,000.

Additionally, in order to qualify for the Scene In San Francisco rebate productions must:

• be produced by a film company that has entered into a Film Use Agreement with the City
• have at least five full principal photography days in San Francisco
• base their production office in San Francisco unless they determine that no physical production office is needed
• fulfill the Film Skills Training and First Source Hiring requirements
• register your production company as a San Francisco business here

Productions can receive a 10% rebate the first $1 million in qualified expenditures (including local spend and San Francisco resident labor), and a 20% rebate on anything spent above $1 million.

The incentive program has a 3-phase submission process. Each phase has specific required materials. 

All applications and documentation must be submitted through the Film SF incentive application portal. Incomplete submissions may delay review and may result in forfeiture of rebate. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Submitting an application does not guarantee participation or reimbursement.

Rebates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the date a production submits a complete final paperwork and rebate request package.

To view a complete breakdown of the multi-phase application process and access the application portal, visit Film SF’s website.

Participating productions can receive a 10% rebate on production-related goods and services purchased or rented from businesses located in San Francisco on the first $1,000,000 spent and 20% on anything spent over $1,000,000.

Participating productions can receive a 10% rebate on eligible wages paid to verified San Francisco residents on the first $1,000,000 million spent and 20% on anything spent over $1,000,000 million. This includes above-the-line and below-the-line employees and is capped at $100,000 per employee.

Participating productions can receive a 100% rebate of eligible costs paid directly to San Francisco City departments. This includes but is not limited to permit costs and fees paid to Film SF, the San Francisco Fire Department, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, and Business License Registration Fees.