Texas local film incentives, city by city.
More than 200 Texas communities call themselves film friendly. Five of them actually write checks. These are city and regional programs, separate from the state grant. The state's own ceiling is 31% of eligible in-state spend once additional awards are counted. Whether a given city program can be claimed alongside the state grant is a question for that city's film office and for the Texas Film Commission at 512-463-9200.
SAN ANTONIO
10–14% rebate (SAFI). 10% of metro-area spend, +2% local hire, +2% veterans. Cap $250,000. Minimum $100,000 local spend, 60% of production days local, office and hotel in city limits.
AUSTIN
2.5% of local wages (Creative Content Incentive). Pays 2.5% of wages to Austin-metro residents, cap $150,000. Union or living wage required. Film permits are free citywide.
HOUSTON
10% rebate (Feature Film Incentive, opened October 2025). Features over 70 minutes and scripted TV only. Cap $100,000. Minimum $500,000 Houston-area spend.
CORPUS CHRISTI
5% supplemental rebate on local spend; cap unpublished, confirm with the film commission.
PITTSBURG
10% of local spend, cap $20,000, small annual fund; features need a $250k budget and $20k local spend.
DALLAS / FORT WORTH
No city rebate in either city. Dallas offers a Media Production Development Zone, which exempts sales and use tax on building or renovating a production facility over two years. It pays nothing on production spend. Fort Worth publishes no program and asks producers to call about a custom package. Worth a call on a large show. Not a budget line yet. Read September 13, 2026.
Resources
Film Friendly Texas
Film Friendly Texas certification (200+ communities) means trained staff and smooth permits, not money. Statewide, productions can claim sales-tax exemptions on qualifying purchases and rentals, and a hotel occupancy tax refund on stays of 30 or more consecutive nights. Both carry conditions. Confirm yours before you budget them.
City figures verified August 2026 against official program documents. State figures read against the Texas Film Commission on September 13, 2026. Programs change with city budgets. Confirm with the administering office before you file.