Texas has officially passed one of the most ambitious film and television incentives in the United States, cementing its intent to become a premier hub for media production. Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a bill allocating $1.5 billion to the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP), dramatically increasing the state’s ability to attract large-scale film, television, and commercial productions over the next ten years.
The legislation guarantees $45 million in funding annually until 2027, with that figure rising steadily to reach $150 million per year by 2035. This funding framework ensures stable, long-term backing for media projects, giving producers and studios more confidence to invest in Texas infrastructure, workforce, and local economies.
The bill's passage comes amid a national shift in the competitive landscape for film and television production, as states aggressively court studios with lucrative incentives. With this move, Texas joins the top tier of incentive-heavy jurisdictions like Georgia, New Mexico, and Louisiana, which have successfully drawn major studio business through similar long-term strategies.
The bill has wide bipartisan support and is the result of a sustained lobbying effort by Texas’ creative industry stakeholders. It replaces the previous cycle of inconsistent and unpredictable allocations, which had seen funding fluctuate from $32 million to as high as $45 million in recent years—insufficient to compete with rival markets.
Texas lawmakers see the media industry as a vital economic engine. The state estimates that film and television projects can generate between six and ten times the return on investment through job creation, tourism, and local business activity. Notably, cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio stand to benefit directly from increased production activity under the revised program.
A focal point of the new law is its capacity to offer higher incentive payouts for larger projects that commit to hiring Texas residents and filming on location. This approach is intended to not only lure Hollywood-scale productions but also nurture local talent and support long-term industry infrastructure, from studios to post-production facilities.
Texas Motion Picture Alliance President Mindy Raymond celebrated the bill’s passage, saying, “This is a game-changer. For the first time, we have predictability and scalability built into our incentive structure. Studios can plan multiple years ahead, and Texas crews and vendors can count on sustained work.”
Additionally, local leaders are hopeful the bill will curb the outflow of productions to other states. In recent years, major films and series with Texas storylines have often been shot elsewhere due to better financial incentives. “We’ve lost too many Texas stories to New Mexico or Georgia,” said Raymond. “Now we have the tools to bring those stories home.”
The new law also introduces mechanisms for accountability and transparency, ensuring that incentive funds are tied to measurable local economic impacts. Productions must meet minimum thresholds for Texas resident hires and spending to qualify for reimbursement.
With this landmark legislation, Texas is poised not only to reclaim production lost to competing states but to set a new standard for sustained, strategic public investment in creative industries. By aligning financial incentives with long-term economic goals, the state positions itself as a formidable force in the future of North American media production.
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