Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott, in collaboration with the Texas Film Commission, has announced a virtual workshop aimed at communities across Texas. The combined Film Friendly Texas and Digital Media Friendly Texas Workshop is scheduled for April 10. This initiative seeks to help localities interested in job creation and economic growth by becoming certified as Film Friendly or Digital Media Friendly.

"Texas’ growing media production industry supports local jobs and creates revenue in communities across our great state," stated Governor Abbott. He emphasized the partnership's success in attracting over $2.5 billion in local spending and creating more than 189,000 production jobs statewide. "I invite all Texas communities to attend this virtual workshop to leverage the advantages of being certified as Film Friendly Texas and Digital Media Friendly Texas Communities."

The event, cohosted by the Texas Film Commission and the City of Cedar Park, will feature professional development sessions such as "How to Become a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community" and "How to Become a Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community.” Community leaders working for city or county governments or other local organizations are encouraged to participate.

Participation in a workshop hosted by the Texas Film Commission is required for certification under both programs. The virtual format allows participants to meet these requirements conveniently.

The workshop will take place on Thursday, April 10 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM CT. Registration details can be found on the official website: gov.texas.gov/film/page/fftx_workshops.

The Film Friendly Texas Certified Community program began in 2007 and now includes over 175 communities focused on media production industry development. More information is available at gov.texas.gov/film/page/fftx_overview.

Launched last year, the Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community program aims to attract digital media production projects throughout the state, promoting job growth in animation, visual effects (VFX), video games, and extended reality (XR). Details can be found at gov.texas.gov/film/page/dmftx_overview.

For more than five decades, the Texas Film Commission has been instrumental in enhancing local economies through film and media production promotion efforts within Governor Abbott’s Economic Development & Tourism Office.