Texas film incentives draw Hollywood productions to North Texas – Spectrum News

Texas film incentives draw Hollywood productions to North Texas  Spectrum News

Taylor Sheridan's had a slew of shows wrap up production in North Texas, including "Lioness" and "Frisco King." FORT WORTH, Texas — Hollywood is making its mark on North Texas as some cities start to reap the rewards of the state’s film incentive program. At Madea’s Down Home Cookin’, a Fort Worth restaurant inspired by owner Elbert Penson’s mother’s cooking, the Hollywood connection came unexpectedly. Penson said actor Samuel L. Jackson visited the restaurant in May, surprising staff and customers. “Actually, a lot of my staff didn’t even realize he was here until the end of his meal. And he actually got up and went and spoke to one of the employees,” said Penson.

Penson, who was born and raised in Fort Worth, said he is proud to see productions coming to the city. “Fort Worth is where I was born and bred. Went to school here,” he said. Taylor Hardy with the Fort Worth Film Commission said the growing production industry has generated significant economic activity. “In the first 10 years since we launched the film commission, we saw an economic impact of nearly $1 billion in Fort Worth,” said Hardy. In 2025, Texas lawmakers approved a record $1.5 billion film incentive package intended to be available over 10 years through the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund. Productions