FotoKem is helping bring attention to two groups leading the effort to keep production jobs in Los Angeles. The StayInLA Campaign is focused on removing the cap on the tax incentive for Los Angeles county production through 2028, with the immediate goal of assisting industry workers who’ve lost their homes in the recent fires. StayInLa has a growing list of name talent aboard the project, including Keanu Reeves, Gia Coppola, Jason Alexander, and Bette Midler.

The second group is the California Production Coalition, a group of over 40 companies in the film, tv, and streaming business (such as the Motion Picture Association, Raleigh Studios, and Wrapbook). The coalition’s purpose is to lobby California state government to boost the state’s annual tax incentive’s funding to $750 (up from $330 million) in order to help keep film and tv production in Los Angeles.

The movement to keep production in Los Angeles comes as a slew of other states and countries have started luring productions away from Los Angeles with their own tax incentives which are larger and more flexible, and therefore more attractive to said productions than what California currently offers.

Says FotoKem Chief Operating Officer Tom Vice. “We’re are hopeful that FotoKem’s efforts with these groups will lead to greater opportunity here in Southern California in 2026 and that the tax incentive reforms will include consideration for post production as does New York. Our infrastructure and experience is vital to maintaining a healthy creative community.”

FotoKem is honored to have supported several Oscar-winning motion pictures this year, including the winner of 2025’s Best Picture, Anora, written and directed by Sean Baker and produced by Alex Coco, Samantha Quan and Sean Baker.

FotoKem Senior Colorist Alastor Arnold worked closely with cinematographer Drew Daniels and Baker to create the show LUT and polish the film’s final color.

“Nearly 30 years ago, when I began my career,” says Arnold, “I could never have imagined having the privilege of supporting a film as incredible as Anora! Sean Baker’s vision embodies everything I love about cinema—an auteur-driven, character-rich, fiercely independent story, beautifully captured on celluloid. I am deeply grateful to Sean, cinematographer Drew Daniels, producers Sammy Quan and Alex Coco, and of course, Bunsen the wonder dog. Congratulations on all the well-earned accolades this year, culminating in a well-deserved Best Picture win!”

Anora also won for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing (both also Sean Baker), and Best Actress (Mikey Madison).

And the FotoKem film lab team created the 35mm and 70mm prints for The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet. The film was nominated in 10 categories, including Best Picture, and won for Best Cinematography (DP Lol Crawley, B.S.C.), Best Original Score (Daniel Blumberg), and Best Actor (Adrien Brody).

Meanwhile, Dune: Part Two racked up 5 nominations (including for Best Cinematography for DP Greig Fraser, (ACS, ASC)) and won for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. The FotoKem team provided prep-to-premiere services for the epic sci-fi sequel, including nextLAB® dailies, 70mm film prints, SHIFT analog intermediate, and final color with FotoKem Senior Colorist David Cole.

James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown was also a FotoKem prep-to-premiere project and was nominated in 8 categories. FotoKem teams assisted with the film’s final color with David Cole and helped dial in the film’s unique filmic look with our SHIFT analog intermediate process, as well as provided nextLAB® dailies.

FotoKem’s Margarita Mix team brought their creative touch to The Wild Robot, which snagged 3 nominations including Best Animated Feature, and for Best Visual Effects, Better Man and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes each received a nomination – both of which FotoKem Creative Services also had a hand in helping complete.

The FotoKem team congratulates all the artists and execs who helped get all these great projects onto the screen for audiences to enjoy, and we thank you​ sincerely for the opportunity to help bring your ​c​reative vision to life. Three cheers for many more great pictures to come​!