Sun Feb 02 03:20:00 IST 2025: **Texas Actors Launch Campaign to Boost State’s Film Industry**
AUSTIN, TX – Texas actors Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, and Renée Zellweger have launched a campaign urging the Texas Legislature to significantly increase funding for the state’s film industry. The campaign, titled “True to Texas,” features a four-minute video showcasing the stars and highlights the state’s diverse filming locations.
The campaign coincides with the Texas Senate’s inclusion of $498 million in its budget to revamp the Texas Film Incentive program. However, the actors argue this is insufficient to compete with other states offering more lucrative incentives. They contend that a larger investment would create thousands of jobs and boost the Texas economy.
The current incentive program, established 17 years ago, offers rebates of 5% to 20% on productions filmed in Texas, but funding is limited and often runs out before the end of each budget cycle. The “True to Texas” campaign advocates for a substantial overhaul to make the program more competitive nationally.
Testimony at a recent legislative hearing included examples of Texas-based stories being filmed in other states due to more attractive incentives. This includes Taylor Sheridan, creator of “Yellowstone,” who noted that his show “Hell or High Water,” a Texas story, was filmed in New Mexico.
The actors’ video emphasizes Texas’s diverse landscapes – from deserts and oceans to forests and rolling hills – positioning the state as an ideal filming location. They argue that increasing funding would allow Texas to become a major hub for film and television production, bringing jobs and economic benefits to the state. The campaign concludes with a call to action, urging the Texas Legislature to support the enhanced film incentive program.
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