Texas Lights, Camera, Action: Why Film & TV Productions Are Choosing the Lone Star State

Texas is quickly emerging as a major player in the film and television industry. This rise is no accident.

The state has made a strategic move by expanding funding for its film incentive program, managed by the Texas Film Commission. With roughly $300 million allocated every two years through 2035, Texas is attracting more productions that hire local talent and spend money within the state. This shift is reshaping the industry landscape and creating new opportunities for creatives and professionals in Texas.

How Texas is Competing with Traditional Production Centers

For years, California and Georgia have dominated film and television production in the U.S. Their established infrastructure, experienced workforce, and incentive programs made them natural choices for studios. Texas is now closing the gap by offering competitive cash rebates on qualified expenses for productions that meet in-state hiring and spending requirements.

This financial incentive encourages producers to consider Texas as a primary location. The state’s diverse landscapes, from urban centers to wide-open rural areas, provide versatile backdrops for various genres. Texas also benefits from a lower cost of living and operating expenses compared to California, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious projects.

What’s Driving the Shift?

Productions that meet in-state hiring and spending thresholds can receive cash rebates on qualified expenses. The result:

More projects evaluating Texas as a primary production base
Increased hiring of Texas cast and crew
Expanded workforce training programs tied to real productions

High-profile creators such as Taylor Sheridan have already demonstrated the viability of filming major projects in Texas, including series like Landman. That visibility helps normalize Texas as a serious production environment — not just a backdrop.

Eye-level view of a film crew setting up cameras on a Texas city street — Film crew preparing for a shoot on a downtown Texas street, showcasing local production activity

Why This Matters for Mont Lux

For creatives in our region, this shift means:

More local set opportunities
Stronger production infrastructure
A growing talent pipeline that doesn’t require relocation

Texas isn’t trying to replicate Hollywood. It’s building its own production economy — one grounded in regional identity, practical economics, and expanding technical capability.

For our Mont Lux community, that translates to opportunity — not someday, but now.