Expanded film incentives could grow local industry
Why it matters: Senate Bill 22 opens the door for Texas — including San Antonio — to attract more major film and TV productions and create more job opportunities for local creatives.
Catch up quick: The law gives consistent funding for the first time to the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, to the tune of $300 million every two years.
The total investment is projected to reach $1.5 billion through 2035.
For every $1 spent on incentives, Texas sees about $4.69 in economic return, according to the state's Economic Development and Tourism office.
Zoom in: San Antonio's Supplemental Film Incentive, funded through hotel occupancy taxes, offers up to a 7.5% rebate on eligible spending.
Combined with state incentives, productions could receive up to 38.5% in total rebates, making it one of the most competitive packages in the state, according to Krystal Jones, director of the city's Arts and Culture Department.
"San Antonio is poised for a major leap forward," she said in a statement.
What they're saying: Paul Ardoin, director of the University of Texas at San Antonio's film and media program, says the bill's long-term scope could help build a stronger industry footprint in San Antonio and lead to more Texas stories being told.
He says the local talent pipeline is expanding, with UTSA's Film/Media program entering its fourth year with more than 300 majors.
"We're seeing increasing numbers of young people becoming fluent in digital media storytelling," Ardoin tells Axios.
The fine print: Productions that hire veterans for at least 5% of their crew can qualify for an additional 2.5% incentive — an edge that could benefit Military City USA.
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