Press release from the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission:

The Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission has been named a finalist for Film Commission of the Year (City/Region) at the 2026 Global Production Awards 2026, taking place during the Cannes Film Festival this May.

Presented by Screen International, the Global Production Awards recognize outstanding and sustainable work across film and television production, locations, and studios worldwide. This year’s shortlist includes major global companies like Netflix, HBO, and NBCUniversal, placing Humboldt-Del Norte alongside top-tier international markets.

“This is a big moment, not just for our office, but for rural California,” said Cassandra Hesseltine, Film Commissioner for Humboldt and Del Norte counties. “When you invest in keeping projects here, you’re not just supporting Hollywood, you’re supporting communities like ours, creating jobs, and building long-term economic resilience across the state.”

The recognition comes during a landmark year for the region and for California’s film industry overall. The Commission was recently named 2026 Nonprofit of the Year for California Assembly District 2, and supported the production of One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, a California-filmed project that went on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Filmed in part across Humboldt County, the production generated millions in economic impact, supported hundreds of local jobs, and demonstrated the value of investing in California-based production at a time when the state is actively working to expand and strengthen its film and television tax credit program.

As California continues to compete globally for film and television production, Humboldt-Del Norte has emerged as a model for how smaller regions can deliver high-impact results through collaboration, responsiveness, and strong industry relationships.

The Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission serves as the official liaison for productions across both counties, providing permitting support, location resources, and local crew and vendor connections, while also advancing film tourism and workforce development in Northern California.

Winners of the Global Production Awards will be announced on May 18, 2026, in Cannes, France.