\u201cWe\u2019re right between New York and Los Angeles, with more direct flights and more availability than cities like Austin or Oklahoma City,\u201d Hardy said.<\/p>\n
Cowtown\u2019s pride also helped provide positive experiences for filmmakers and directors, who have been welcomed by residents and officials alike.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat pride in our city is something that\u2019s really contagious,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Since filmmaker David Lowery, a former Irving High School student, did a scene in Fort Worth years ago, he has returned to the city for other projects, including \u201cThe Old Man & The Gun,\u201d Robert Redford\u2019s final movie, Hardy said.<\/p>\n
The film commission\u2019s work with Taylor Sheridan began in 2021 when he sought to film a Fort Worth equestrian scene for the TV series \u201cYellowstone.\u201d He returned to film the \u201c1883\u201d spinoff in the city, followed by a season of \u201cLawmen: Bass Reeves,\u201d two seasons of \u201cLioness,\u201d two seasons of \u201cLandman,\u201d and two new shows, \u201cThe Madison\u201d and \u201cThe Dutton Ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/LANDMAN_102_EM_BTS_0220_01009_RT_f-1024x683.jpg\")
Actor Billy Bob Thornton films a scene for Taylor Sheridan\u2019s new TV series, \u201cLandman.\u201d The series premiered on Nov. 17, 2024. (Courtesy photo | Emerson Miller, Paramount+) <\/p>\n
Dallas-based developer Hillwood got involved in the Sheridan productions when President Mike Berry heard about the need for soundstage space in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve never been in that business,\u201d Berry said. \u201cWe build spec industrial buildings.\u201d<\/p>\n
After visiting an Amazon facility at 10001 South Freeway \u2014 space built by Hillwood \u2014 and touring makeshift soundstages constructed there, the developer worked to build soundstage space at two Hillwood industrial buildings, Berry said.<\/p>\n
TCU and Tarrant County College are meeting the need to develop a local workforce for TV and film, said Robert Ahdieh, Texas A&M-Fort Worth chief operating officer and dean who moderated the discussion.<\/p>\n
Jon Hockenyos, president of TXP Inc., an \u200b\u200beconomic analysis and public policy consulting firm founded in Austin, said the workforce boom in North Texas is impressive. Within a few years, the TV and film workforce has grown from 500 people to about 2,800 who collectively earn about $100 million annually.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe numbers are just the tip of the iceberg on this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The economic impact of TV and film in Fort Worth is now about $1 billion annually, Hockenyos said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a very short period of time, the role of film-media production in general has gone up (by) about 8X,\u201d he said. \u201cThe impact is huge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Attracting new media-related businesses, production offices and independent to midsize studios to Fort Worth could propel the city to a massive $5 billion impact, Hockenyos said.<\/p>\n
To capitalize on that, businesses are developing more spaces for creative and digital content in addition to TV and film. The area has an abundance of large-scale spec and industrial buildings that can easily be converted to soundstages with soundproof walls and other materials.<\/p>\n
Hardy said 55% growth in the Texas film industry is expected over the next decade, including support services such as catering, makeup and hair.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end of the day, it\u2019s a jobs program,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Film tourism, a fast-growth travel trend, could also increase because of production work in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/20250904_141318-1024x768.jpg\")
A shopping center used for filming the \u201cLandman\u201d TV series attracts people to Westland in far west Fort Worth. (Eric E. Garcia | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
A recent episode of \u201cLandman\u201d mentioned The Barn venue at Circle T Ranch, Hillwood\u2019s corporate campus near Westlake. The company tracked 24,800 page views on the Circle T site as a result, Berry said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a small example, but it\u2019s real,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Hockenyos said capital investments in film\/TV facilities is important for the industry\u2019s continued local growth. Those could include post-production facilities that include film editing and sound.<\/p>\n
Local companies could also benefit from leasing out retail and office space for production or set storage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a whole new sector to develop,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n