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Phoenix film industry generated over $28 million in local spending in the last fiscal year

Person holding film slate.
Getty Images
Person holding film slate.

The film industry in Phoenix generated over $28 million in local spending from 2025 to 2026, a 18.5% increase from the previous fiscal year.

According to the city of Phoenix Film Office, the 2025-26 season featured over 1,200 projects. The majority of these productions were commercials, including popular brands like Hyundai, Nike and Southwest Airlines.

The film office report emphasizes the use of Arizona’s natural landscapes for filming at locations like Papago Park or South Mountain. Additionally, 44% of the filming permits used were issued to local Arizona production companies.

Projects across the city utilized almost 6,000 Phoenix-based actors and crew members, which helped support the local film industry.

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Lilly Roseburrough is an intern at KJZZ.