Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) - Film & Television Projects

The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program is administered by the Texas Film Commission, a division of the Office of the Governor. The program is designed to encourage the development of film and television production within the state by offering a cash grant based on qualified in-state expenditures. Its primary goal is to stimulate economic growth, create jobs for Texas residents, and promote Texas as a destination for film and television production. The program evaluates not only compliance with eligibility thresholds but also the broader economic impact of proposed projects, including infrastructure use, job creation, and tourism potential. For film and television projects, the program provides a reimbursement-style incentive of up to 31 percent of eligible Texas spending. To qualify, projects must meet strict minimum thresholds, including at least 250000 dollars in eligible Texas expenditures and completion of at least 60 percent of production within the state. Additionally, at least 35 percent of paid crew and 35 percent of paid cast, including extras, must be Texas residents. These requirements ensure that funded projects meaningfully contribute to the local workforce and economy. Eligible expenditures include wages and per diems for Texas residents, payments to Texas-based vendors, certain travel costs, and production-related services directly tied to in-state filming. The program defines eligible and ineligible expenses with precision. Eligible costs include compensation to Texas residents (capped at 1000000 dollars per worker), payments to Texas-based service providers, and production-related goods and services used within the state. In contrast, expenditures such as payments to non-residents, marketing and distribution costs, overhead expenses, and certain rights acquisitions are excluded. This distinction ensures that incentive funds directly support in-state production activity rather than ancillary or external costs. Eligibility is limited to production entities undertaking qualifying film and television projects. Ineligible projects include news programming, sporting events, student projects, and content deemed inappropriate or portraying Texas negatively. Applicants must demonstrate financial viability and provide documentation supporting their project’s scope, budget, and anticipated economic impact. The Texas Film Commission reviews applications against both baseline requirements and qualitative factors such as job creation and promotion of Texas as a filming destination. The application process begins with submission of an Incentive Inquiry Form to obtain access to the full application. Applicants must submit a complete package no earlier than 180 days and no later than five business days before the start of principal photography. Required materials include a completed application form, a detailed budget of Texas expenditures, and a content document such as a script or treatment depending on the project type. Applications must be submitted electronically, and incomplete or late submissions are not accepted. Projects that have already begun principal photography are ineligible to apply. Following application approval and project commencement, recipients must comply with ongoing reporting and verification requirements. Within five business days of starting production, applicants must confirm the start date. During production, the Texas Film Commission may conduct periodic reviews of spending and hiring practices. After completion, applicants must submit detailed documentation within 60 days, including payroll records, vendor payments, residency verification forms, and final project deliverables such as completed content. Final payment is contingent upon successful verification and compliance review by both the Texas Film Commission and the Governor’s Office Division of Compliance and Monitoring. Funds are disbursed only after all obligations to the state are satisfied and documentation is approved. The program operates on a rolling basis tied to production schedules rather than fixed deadlines, making it accessible year-round for eligible film and television projects that meet the program’s requirements.

Emphasize Texas economic impact job creation and use of local infrastructure; ensure residency documentation compliance; submit complete application before production start