Texas Film Incentives
In recent years, Texas has seen a surge in film and television productions. This boom is due in large part to new legislation being championed and passed within the state government. Many Texas filmmakers, including our CEO Red Sanders, have actively lobbied the Texas Legislature to introduce film incentive programs that would provide state funding to productions that choose to film in Texas. Similar legislation has been passed in other states looking to compete with California as a hub for film and television production.
In 2024, an initial $200 million was allocated to Texas’ film incentive fund, a significant investment that delivered an immediate boost to the state’s film industry and overall economy. Following this first round of funding, our CEO Red Sanders remarked, “It’s going to be a real, real game-changer, not just for the whole state but certainly for Fort Worth.”
Support for this initiative has come not only from industry leaders but also from well-known Texans such as Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, who have both spoken out in favor of expanding film incentives in the state. Due to this growing momentum, the incentive program was recently expanded to include $1.5 billion in film funding, disbursed every two years through 2035.
“It won’t be something that people have to wonder, when they are ready to bring a project here, will there be funding based on whether the budget vote went through that year or not?” said Sanders. “When it was up to the whims of the two-year budget cycle, no one wanted to make significant brick-and-mortar investments.”
With this decade-long plan in place, productions now have the security to confidently plan shoots in Texas, knowing that consistent funding will be available. The impact of this legislation is already evident, with major productions like Landman and Lioness choosing Texas as their filming location.
“It’s pretty wild to see,” Sanders added. “Twenty years ago, when I started the business, there were probably three production companies in town. I think there’s probably 30 now.”
As Texas continues to invest in its creative industries, the future looks bright for filmmakers, production companies, and the state’s economy alike. These incentives not only attract big-budget projects but also create opportunities for local talent, crew, and businesses, cementing Texas as a serious contender in the global film and television industry.
