City of Simi Valley
Staff Report
September 28, 2026
To: City Council
From: Office of the City Manager
Luis Garibay, Assistant City Manager
Subject: Approval of Simi Valley Film Forward and a Supplemental Budget Request to establish the program
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve a Supplemental Budget Request in the General Fund (Fund 100) for $185,000 and appropriate it to professional services (1001125-44010) to establish and implement the Simi Valley Film Forward program.
Background
On August 4, 2025, the City Council adopted its framework of priority focus areas, organized under six strategic themes known as the Pillars of Excellence. One Focus Area Goal under the Pillars of Excellence is to promote film production and tourism to boost local economic activity and enhance Simi Valley's regional visibility. In support of this goal, staff formed an internal film committee, and the City Council established a special Film Ad Hoc Committee. The film team conducted research and consulted with location managers, production professionals, property owners, studios, community partners, and regional agencies to assess how Simi Valley could strengthen its position in the motion picture industry. Staff identified opportunities to improve the Simi Valley film experience, including modernizing policies, strengthening industry relationships, coordinating production services, expanding marketing and outreach, supporting local businesses, and ultimately attracting additional entertainment-related businesses and employment to Simi Valley.
Discussion
Strengthening Simi Valley’s position in the film industry calls for coordinated improvements to production services, City policies, marketing, local business connections, and partnerships. To advance the growth of Simi Valley’s film ecosystem, staff proposes the Simi Valley Film Forward program, which establishes four key focus areas: (1) Setting the Stage – A Film-Ready Simi Valley, (2) In the Spotlight – Marketing Simi Valley, (3) Beyond the Set – Growing the Film Economy, and (4) The Supporting Cast – Partnerships and Film Infrastructure.
Agenda Item No.
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(1) SETTING THE STAGE | A Film-Ready Simi Valley
The City is dedicated to making filming in Simi Valley quick and easy. A dedicated staff member within the newly established Simi Valley Film Office will provide a knowledgeable, responsive point of contact from initial inquiry and scouting through permitting, production, and completion. Staff will coordinate City departments and outside agencies, giving productions clearer requirements, timelines, and costs. This will help the City respond faster, be more film-friendly, and make the film-permitting process quicker and easier.
To build on Simi Valley’s film-friendly reputation, staff is also reviewing the Simi Valley Municipal Code, internal approval processes, and film-related permit and fee structures.
Staff recommendations, for City Council’s future consideration, will include creating a film overlay zone, film incentive programs, amendments to the zoning code, a simplified fee structure, and making City facilities available for filming. (2) IN THE SPOTLIGHT | Marketing Simi Valley
It is recommended the City invest in marketing and promotional efforts to attract film projects to Simi Valley. This would include revamping the film website to incorporate new AI technology and other features to make the website more user-friendly for location managers. Investment in professional photography and video, a location database, digital content, and develop print and digital filming resource pages will further marketing efforts.
Targeted outreach to studios, production companies, and location professionals, along with appropriate industry events and familiarization activities, would showcase Simi Valley’s locations and production services. The City would also leverage funding set aside by Visit Simi Valley to support film-related initiatives to broaden the reach. (3) BEYOND THE SET | Growing the Film Economy
The motion picture industry relies on an extensive network of businesses, skilled professionals, facilities, vendors, and public agencies involved at every stage of production. The City will focus on broader economic development initiatives intended to position Simi Valley not simply as a location where filming occurs, but as a community where the motion picture industry can film, operate, invest, and grow. This includes targeted business recruitment efforts to broaden the film support network in Simi Valley.
The objective is not solely to encourage productions to film in Simi Valley, but to encourage the industry to do business in Simi Valley.
The City will connect existing Simi Valley businesses with productions through outreach and a database of local products and services. Businesses that support filming include video production companies such as Stoke Light Video Production, equipment and studio providers such as Pacific Studio Rentals, Inc., and specialized businesses such as Tarin Tactical and HERO Entertainment. The City plans to offer workshops to help local businesses and property owners understand production needs and prepare them to work with the film industry.
2 (4) THE SUPPORTING CAST | Partnerships and Film Infrastructure Simi Valley’s locations, studios, open space, production history, and proximity to the greater Los Angeles entertainment industry provide a strong foundation for filming. The City will build on that foundation by working with the Ventura County Film Commission, Location Managers Guild International, California On Location Awards, Visit Simi Valley, Film Simi Valley, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD), Simi Studios, property owners, and other partners. The City will build on the synergy and momentum started by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Film Committee and will coordinate efforts with the Chamber to avoid any redundancies.
These relationships will help the City identify available existing and new locations, connect productions with the appropriate property owners and agencies, and coordinate responses to filming needs. Staff will also explore opportunities to bring partners and production professionals together through location tours, workshops, and film-related events, building on local efforts such as the Simi Film Fest.
According to the Motion Picture Association, as much as $1.3 million can be injected into local economies per day when a film shoots on location. However, multiplier magnitudes vary significantly based on local economic conditions, industry cluster development, and how much spending stays within the regional economy versus leaking out to suppliers in other states. Even with a very conservative $15,000 economic impact per day, if the City can increase by 13 film production days over the next year, the City would generate $195,000, more than recouping its $185,000 investment. Below is a breakdown of how the funding will be utilized.
Simi Valley Film Forward Budget
Digital Assets (Permit Software, Website, Database, etc.) $50,000 Marketing & Promotions $50,000
Industry Events & Trade Shows $27,500
Film Forward Events $20,000
Business Attraction Efforts $28,000
Industry Partnerships & Memberships $9,500
TOTAL $185,000
Financial Impact
Approval of this item would require a supplemental appropriation of $185,000 from the General Fund (Fund 100). Additional funding to support ongoing film-related efforts will be requested during the annual budget process.
City Council Priority
This item supports the City’s Economic Vitality Pillar of Excellence and, more specifically, the City’s Focus Area Goal to promote film production and tourism to boost local economic activity and enhance Simi Valley's regional visibility. 3 Suggested Motion
I move that City Council approve approve a Supplemental Budget Request in the General Fund (Fund 100) for $185,000 and appropriate it to professional services (1001125- 44010) to establish and implement the Simi Valley Film Forward program.
Summary
Simi Valley’s filming history, diverse locations and industry partnerships provide a strong foundation for growth. The proposed Simi Valley Film Forward program, which establishes four key focus areas: (1) Setting the Stage – A Film-Ready Simi Valley, (2) In the Spotlight – Marketing Simi Valley, (3) Beyond the Set – Growing the Film Economy, and (4) The Supporting Cast – Partnerships and Film Infrastructure. Together these initiatives would improve the filming experience, promote the City’s production resources, connect productions with local businesses, and strengthen the partnerships that support filming. Together, these efforts would help attract more productions and film-related businesses to Simi Valley while advancing the City Council’s economic vitality goal.
Prepared by: Heidi DiNardo, Senior Management Analyst
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