News Summary
Texas lawmakers have enacted Senate Bill 22, allocating $1.5 billion in film incentives to significantly enhance the state’s film industry. This legislation raises biennial funding for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program to $300 million, with a vision to reach $1.5 billion by 2035. Supported by filmmakers and actors alike, the bill introduces various benefits for local productions and aims to drive growth in the film sector, particularly in San Antonio. Provisions include new funding avenues and incentives for hiring veterans, despite concerns over potential censorship in content.
San Antonio, Texas — Texas lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 22, a landmark legislation designed to significantly boost the state’s film industry by allocating a total of $1.5 billion in film incentives. This bill, which garnered widespread support from local filmmakers and prominent figures in Hollywood, aims to revamp the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) by increasing its budget and expanding its funding strategy.
The newly enacted law raises biennial funding for the TMIIIP from the current $200 million to $300 million. The management of this fund will fall under the supervision of the Music, Film, Television and Multimedia Office, an agency within the office of Governor Greg Abbott. This represents a strategic move to foster growth in Texas’s film sector, with projections indicating that the TMIIIP budget will reach $1.5 billion by the year 2035, as outlined in a statement from the City of San Antonio.
Priority for this bill was given by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who originally proposed an allocation of $500 million. However, negotiations resulted in a final figure of $300 million after discussions in the House. The bill became law on June 22, 2025, without Abbott’s signature.
An influential player in the advocacy for this bill was the nonprofit organization Media for Texas, established by filmmakers Chase Musslewhite and Grant Wood. This group successfully lobbied for the legislation, enlisting the help of well-known actors such as Woody Harrelson and Glen Powell to participate in promotional campaigns aimed at highlighting the importance of supporting the film industry in Texas.
As a prominent part of its mission, Media for Texas aims to serve as a resource hub for the local film community, concentrating on workforce development and support for upcoming filmmakers. In addition, Hill Country Studios—a proposed 820,000-square-foot film studio located near San Marcos—publicly endorsed the legislation, acknowledging its potential to transform the state’s commercial media landscape.
San Antonio’s film industry looks poised for significant expansion as a direct consequence of the bill, especially due to the city’s existing Supplemental Film Incentive (SSAI), which provides a rebate of up to 7.5% on local expenditures. By combining state and local incentives, productions may receive rebates totaling as much as 38.5% for eligible projects undertaken within San Antonio.
The San Antonio Arts & Culture Department has reported a remarkable 72% increase in film permit issuances during the fiscal year 2024 compared to the prior year, a trend that indicates the growing interest in the city as a filming location. Notable productions, including the prequel to “Yellowstone,” titled “1923,” have previously utilized San Antonio’s scenic locales, showcasing the economic ripple effects that film projects bring to local businesses such as hotels and restaurants.
The legislation also introduces benefits for film projects that include veterans in their cast and crew. These projects can qualify for a Texas veterans grant if they hire at least 5% of their crew, actors, and extras from individuals who have served honorably in Texas. However, the bill incorporates a review process for project funding, allowing the potential denial of applications based on content deemed “inappropriate” or unfavorable portrayals of the state.
Concerns have been raised about these review provisions, with some critics arguing that such ideological oversight could prompt self-censorship among producers, leading filmmakers to compromise their artistic vision in order to conform to political expectations. The TMIIIP fund is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and will be active for a decade before reverting to the previous funding format unless additional incentives are enacted.
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Additional Resources
- News4SanAntonio
- Wikipedia: Texas film industry
- San Antonio Current
- Google Search: Texas film incentives
- Hoodline
- Google Scholar: San Antonio film industry
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas film industry
- Houston Chronicle
- Google News: Texas film industry
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
