Projects must be fully funded to apply.

At least 60% of the production must be completed in Texas.

For feature films, television programs, commercials, and visual effects projects, 35% of the total paid cast, including extras, and 35% of the total number of crew must be residents of Texas. For reality productions, 35% of cast and crew combined must be residents of Texas. This residency requirement will increase by 5% every two years according to the following schedule:

• 35% for a project that begins principal photography on or after September 1, 2025, and before September 1, 2027
• 40% for a project that begins principal photography on or after September 1, 2027, and before September 1, 2029
• 45% for a project that begins principal photography on or after September 1, 2029, and before September 1, 2031
• 50% for a project that begins principal photography on or after September 1, 2031

A Declaration of Texas Residency form is required for each Texas cast and crew member. Texas licenses and IDs must be valid 120 days prior to the start of production.

The following bonuses (referred to as “Additional Grants” by the Texas Film Commission) can be stacked on top of the base grant award for a total grant of up to 31%:

In-State Post Bonus: a 1% bump for projects that allocate at least 25% of their total eligible in-state spend toward qualifying post-production work within Texas.

Rural Area Bonus: a 2.5% bump for projects which complete at least 35% of their total filming days in a Texas county with a population of 300,000 or fewer.

Veteran Bonus: a 2.5% bump for projects whose combined cast and crew members are made of at least 5% Veterans.

Texas Heritage Bonus: a 2.5% uplift for projects that promote “family values” and/or portray Texas and Texans in a positive light according to guidelines set forth by the Texas Film Commission.

Faith-Based Moving Image Project Bonus: a 2.5% bump for projects that feature faith-based content, per guidelines from the Texas Film Commission.

Texas Historic Site Bonus: a 2.5% bump for projects that film at a recognized Texas historic site, per guidelines outlined by the Texas Film Commission.

Workforce Development Bonus: a 2.5% bump for productions that partner with a Texas institution of higher education to provide workforce development opportunities during production.

Please submit the incentives inquiry form on the film office website first. 

Applications will not be accepted earlier than 180 calendar days and no later than 5 p.m. Central Time five business days prior to a project's production start date.

Projects which have started production prior to the application being submitted to the Texas Film Office are ineligible for the grant.

For film, TV, and visual effects projects, the incentive amounts are as follows: 5% for projects that spend more than $250,000 but less than $1,000,000; 10% for projects that spend more than $1,000,000 but less than $1,500,000; 25% for projects that spend $1,500,000 or more.

For digital interactive media productions (video game projects), the incentive amounts are as follows: 5% for projects that spend more than $100,000 but less than $1,000,000; 10% for projects that spend more than $1,000,000 but less than $1,500,000; 25% for projects that spend $1,500,000 or more.

For reality television projects, the incentive amounts are as follows: 5% for projects that spend more than $250,000 but less than $1,000,000; 10% for projects that spend $1,000,000 or more.

For commercials, educational or instructional videos and visual effects projects, the incentive amounts are as follows: 5% for projects that spend more than $100,000 but less than $1,000,000; 10% for projects that spend $1,000,000 or more.

Texas is a right-to-work state.