06-05-2025
Texas lawmakers seek billions for film production incentives
ARCHER COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) — Texas lawmakers are working to increase film production incentives this session to make Texas the next Hollywood.
One Texoman, who's a film liaison for Archer County, said this could be a big boost for our area given its film history.
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It's been more than 50 years since 'The Last Picture Show' debuted on the big screen.
Lawmakers are debating adding half a billion dollars to a new 'Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund' every two years until 2035. It's the most lawmakers have allocated for productions since starting the incentive grant in 2007.
'With potentially this big incentive package coming through the legislator, [could Texas be] like a big destination for future films?'
'I think so,' Archer County Liaison Richard Shelley said.
Shelley has worked with production crews to scout areas within the county for possible film locations.
'There's a lot of activity, a lot of people ask what is there in Texas because it's much cheaper to do it here,' Shelley said.
Texas is one of 37 states to offer film incentives. So this isn't new to the Lone Star State.
It's even garnered support from A-list actors from the Lone Star State.
'This incentive is an investment in Texas in that it will create more income for the state that can be allocated to other places, where the money's needed,' Matthew McConaughey said as he spoke to a committee of lawmakers. 'Every grant dollar awarded returns to $4.69 to the state of Texas, and it's a 469% ROI.'
Houston native Dennis Quaid echoes McConaughey's remarks, saying this is a chance to create new jobs.
'Hollywood has lost the narrative,' Quaid said. '[It's] an opportunity for Texas in a long-term commitment to become not a leader, but the leader in the film and television industry.'
Shelley said economic benefits will be felt throughout Texoma.
'Any of these rural counties around Wichita Falls, they're going to be the ones that they are going to get the biggest piece of money that's spent. They will hire local people to be in these movies,' Shelley said.
Time ticks on lawmakers to pass the bill before the session ends.
Additional incentives are available to productions that film in rural areas of the state or hire a certain number of veterans for their cast and crew.
Currently, Senate Bill 22 is in the Culture, Recreation, and Tourism House Committee. Its companion bill, House Bill 4568, is pending in the same committee.
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