The SDVibe Rebate Program

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SDVibe—short for San Diego Visual Incentive for Broadcast and Entertainment—is the rebate program that powers the economic engine of the San Diego County Film Initiative. It gives productions a compelling reason to choose San Diego County—and rewards them for investing in our people, places, and priorities.

This isn’t a tax break. It’s a performance-based rebate. That means productions must spend money locally, meet specific goals, and prove it before they receive any funds back.

Qualified film, TV, and digital media productions that shoot in San Diego County can earn back up to 35% of their eligible local spending. That is on top of other incentives they may already be receiving by the state or other. The base rebate starts at 20%, with up to 15% in bonus tiers for projects that do more to support our local communities.

Producers submit applications to the Film Office, meet local hiring and filming requirements, and receive a rebate after the project wraps and spending is verified.

Projects can boost their rebate percentage by meeting the following goals:

• +5% — Local Hire / Workforce Tier:
  Hire San Diego County residents, including apprentices and U.S. military veterans.
   
• +5% — Equity & Inclusion Tier:
  Demonstrate diversity in casting, crew hiring, vendors, or story content.
  
•  +3% — Founding City Tier:
  Film in a participating “Founding City” that has opted into the program. (Cities can find out how to become a founding city) HERE
  
•  +2% — Branding Tier:
  Use the official “Filmed in San Diego” logo in the final product or marketing materials.
   

Productions that qualify for all tiers receive the full 35% rebate cap.

Most local expenses count—including wages paid to local crew, equipment and facility rentals, hotels, food, transportation, and vendor services. The program is tailored to make it worthwhile for productions to hire local, spend local, and stay longer.

Rebates are the standard across the industry. Regions like Georgia, New Mexico, and New York have proven that smart, well-managed film rebates generate far more than they cost—creating jobs, filling hotel rooms, and driving new business to thousands of small vendors.

San Diego County has world-class locations, talent, and infrastructure—but until now, it hasn’t had a competitive rebate program.

SDVibe changes that.

It ensures:

• The economic benefits stay local.
   
• The public gets a real return on investment.
   
• Productions have a reason to choose San Diego County—and return again.

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