A Major Motion Picture Is About to Film in Northern California and Your Neighbor Might Be In It

A major motion picture is about to start filming right here in Northern California, and there’s a good chance you might see someone you know on the big screen.

An open casting call over the weekend for “Gold Mountain,” a Gold Rush-era film directed by Ang Lee, pulled a massive crowd in Sacramento. Casting director Sarah Kliban said the line stretched down the block before they even finished setting up.

The film, which follows two Chinese American orphans during the Gold Rush, is expected to shoot across Sacramento and El Dorado counties from May through June. The production is seeking a wide range of extras, including families who could fit an 1800s village setting, Chinese railroad workers, Indigenous Miwok people and Californios.

Sacramento is building real momentum as a filming destination. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” was shot in the Sacramento area and went on to win Best Picture at the 2026 Academy Awards, taking home six Oscars total including Best Director. Having a Best Picture winner filmed locally is a massive stamp of credibility for the region.

Local filmmaker Aaron Leong said the production is also creating opportunities behind the camera, noting that several Sacramento-area crew members are already working in the art department and building sets.

Lead casting has not been announced. Shooting is expected to wrap by the end of June.