San Antonio is rolling out the red carpet for film and commercial productions. On Thursday, November 6, the City Council approved major updates to the local film incentive program, creating what city leaders are branding Texas’ most robust rebate package to lure filmmakers to Alamo City.
The revamped program, now called the San Antonio Film Incentive (SAFI), is administered by the San Antonio Film Commission and aligns with the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIP), the state’s $1.5 billion investment in film over the next decade. Combined with statewide incentives, filmmakers can now qualify for up to a 45% rebate, capped at $250,000 per project.
The goal is to attract high-profile productions, expand local hiring, and offer professional development opportunities for emerging talent, including students.
“Today’s approval marks a reinvigorated dedication to the future of film, television, and media in San Antonio,” said Krystal Jones, Director of the Department of Arts & Culture, in a release. “With expanded eligibility and new workforce development opportunities, we’re empowering local artists, crew members, and emerging talent — including students — to take part in and benefit from the remarkable growth of our film industry right here in San Antonio.”
Key updates to the program include:
Higher rebate levels: Base rebates jump from 7.5% to 10%, with additional 2% uplifts for productions meeting local hire and veteran hire thresholds.Expanded eligibility: Commercial productions are now included, alongside feature films, shorts, documentaries, TV episodes, webisodes, and music videos.Workforce development requirements: Productions must provide on-set learning experiences, workshops, or training for students through local college partnerships.
The incentives hope to build on the momentum established in the past few years. Since its post-pandemic restart in 2022, San Antonio has seen film permits jump 165%, from 221 in 2022 to 586 in 2025, while total film days nearly doubled to 710. With SAFI and TMIIP combined, the Alamo City now offers the most generous rebate in Texas, putting it on par with competitive markets like New Mexico.
Some of those permits have put San Antonio in the national spotlight. In 2024, the Paramount+ series 1923 filmed parts of its second season downtown, joining a list of other notable Hollywood moments like Miss Congeniality, Selena, and Undone.