Filmmaker Toolkit: Film Incentives
City of Austin Film Incentives
To expedite filming in Austin and to make the process more affordable, the Mayor and City Council have enacted a number of innovative filmmaker incentives. Most city-owned locations (parks, libraries and other City-owned properties) have been made available for filmmaking at "cost," without reservation or location fees.
The city has also waived most permit fees for filming on city rights-of-way, including streets, sidewalks and alleys. In addition, the city will provide two police officers for traffic and crowd control for up to 15 filming days to productions which qualify for Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program from the State of Texas. For more information on these or other City of Austin film incentives, contact Vincent Kitch, Vincent.Kitch@ci.austin.tx.us or 512-974-9310.
ACVB’s Film Commission, in conjunction with the City of Austin, has also created a Film Discount Card Program for big and small budget productions alike. Local vendors participate free of charge and offer discounts to working casts and crews. For more information, click here.
State of Texas Film Incentives
The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program offers qualifying feature films, television programs, commercials and video games the opportunity to receive a payment equal to 5 percent of eligible in-state spending, including wages paid to Texas residents, upon completion of an audit of Texas expenditures. Both live-action and animated projects are eligible. This incentive program is in addition to Texas' Sales Tax Exemptions.
