With the 2018 legislative session in start, local filmmakers fear that more cuts to film incentive programs will lead to a greater deficit in media productions. This could mean fewer jobs for Texan filmmakers.
Film incentives are cash grants that incentivize hiring Texans for media productions within the state. According to the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, 70 percent of paid cast and crew including extras must be Texas Residents, and 60 percent of total production days must be completed in Texas in order for them to receive the rebate.
Last year, the budget for the incentive program went down to zero, with many critics of the program arguing that money was being taken from Texans to be given to Hollywood producers. The Texas State Senate later restored $22 million in funding for media incentives when Gov. Greg Abbott championed the TMIIIP, but this funding is lower than that in other states.
