Keanu Reeves Strengthen Support for ‘Stay in LA’ Campaign

Hollywood Stars Rally Behind ‘Stay in LA’ Campaign to Boost Local Film Production

The movement to keep Hollywood productions in Los Angeles is gaining momentum, with even more star power backing the cause.

Keanu Reeves and Bette Midler are the latest celebrities to support Stay in LA, a grassroots campaign urging film and television productions to remain in or return to the entertainment capital. Their involvement adds to a growing list of actors—including Zooey Deschanel, Joshua Jackson, Olivia Wilde, Alex Winter, Kevin Bacon, and Connie Britton—who have joined forces to push for increased local production.

A Push for Economic and Disaster Recovery

Launched by Alexandra Pechman and Sarah Adina Smith, the Stay in LA initiative is not just about preserving Hollywood’s legacy but also about aiding the region’s economic recovery following the devastating wildfires that have recently ravaged Los Angeles County.

According to Deadline, the campaign proposes lifting tax incentive caps for productions that film in LA County over the next three years. This measure is designed to support disaster relief efforts while also calling on major studios and streaming platforms to commit at least 10% more production in LA during the same period.

The initiative is appealing directly to California Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, the California State Legislature, and the city council to collaborate in implementing policies that will make local production more financially viable.

A City in Crisis: Why Hollywood Needs to Stay in LA

Co-founder Sarah Adina Smith emphasized the importance of community resilience, particularly in the wake of natural disasters like the recent fires.

“The fires remind us that we are nothing without each other. Los Angeles is like no place else on Earth because of the people who live here—but they can’t afford to stay and rebuild without jobs,” Smith said.

Hollywood’s production flight to other states and countries has been a growing concern in recent years. Cities like Atlanta, New York, and Vancouver have benefited from more competitive tax incentives, luring major projects away from LA. The Stay in LA campaign aims to reverse this trend by making Los Angeles more attractive for filming, ensuring that jobs remain in the city and supporting the local economy.

A Political Twist: Trump’s Hollywood Ambassadors

Amid these efforts, former U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a different approach to Hollywood’s production landscape. He recently announced that actors Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, and Jon Voight have been enlisted as “special ambassadors” to the film industry. While the specifics of their roles remain unclear, this move signals a potential shift in how Hollywood’s future could be shaped on both state and national levels.

What’s Next for ‘Stay in LA’?

With more high-profile actors joining the movement, the Stay in LA campaign is quickly gaining traction. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether policymakers respond to these calls for increased incentives and whether major studios commit to bringing more productions back to Los Angeles.

As the battle to keep Hollywood in its hometown continues, one thing is clear: the stars aren’t just shining on screen—they’re taking action to preserve the legacy and livelihood of the city that built them.