After six years in the role, California Film Commission Director Colleen Bell will transition out of office in early January.
In an episode of industry podcast “The Town” by former The Hollywood Reporter editorial director and Puck founding partner Matt Belloni, Bell shared that she would leave the role along with the outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom next year. The Newsom appointee further wrote to The Hollywood Reporter that serving in the role was “one of the great privileges” of her career, and that for now her focus “remains firmly on the work ahead.”
“We have important initiatives underway, strong momentum behind California’s production growth, and I intend to finish strong – continuing to deliver results and strengthen California’s position as the global leader in film and television production,” Bell wrote.
“I also look forward to working closely with the incoming administration to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition,” she added in her statement.
Group assists production in California
Established in 1984, the commission aims to attract, retain and assist film and media production in the state as a government agency. It also administers California’s film and TV tax credit program, which more than doubled the annual cap in 2025 from $330 million to $750 million.
Bell, having led the organization since 2019, navigated major challenges during her tenure that the industry still feels today.
That includes the COVID-19 pandemic, the double strike of SAG-AFTRA and The Writers Guild of America, and the exodus of productions for greener pastures outside the state. Her team has supported the productions of The Walt Disney Co.’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” and HBO Max’s “The Pitt,” among others.
Before serving in the California Film Commission, Bell was a U.S. Ambassador to Hungary and a former producer at Bell-Phillip Television Productions.
