SAG-AFTRA, ‘Deadline’ Celebrate the Los Angeles Film and Television Industry

On May 8, 2025, SAG-AFTRA, in partnership with Deadline, hosted “Here’s Looking at You, L.A.,” an evening honoring the Los Angeles entertainment and media industry.

Held at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Meryl Streep Center for the Performing Arts at SAG-AFTRA Plaza, the event brought together public figures from across the legislative, production and union sectors. SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer & National Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee Co-Chair Joely Fisher; SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Los Angeles & L.A. Local President Jodi Long; SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland; Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove; California State Treasurer Fiona Ma; State Senators Ben Allen and Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass were speakers at the event. SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Linda Powell and other local members, as well as  LA City Councilmembers Adrin Nazarian and Monica Rodriguez were among those in attendance.

Together, the group shared ideas on increasing film and television production in Los Angeles, stressing the importance of a timely response to expanding the state’s Film Tax Credit Program and retaining industry jobs.

“Revitalizing California’s most recognizable industry isn’t just about making things better for show business, it’s about making things better for everyone,” said Fisher.

“Three generations in my family have been connected to the industry, and I think that a lot of education needs to happen in our city and in our state about all of the ancillary businesses, the caterers, the florists, the tailors [and] all of the people whose livelihoods depend on this industry,” said Bass, pledging efforts to make filming in the city easier for productions through lower permit fees and more streamlined processes.

Click here to read more about the event.