Consider looking beyond the established production hubs for lucrative incentives and access to local talent
By Miles Dobis, Contributing Writer
With the increased demand for production in the digital streaming era and new projects that require diverse settings, the American film business is more decentralized than at any point in its history. Los Angeles and New York City are still the industry’s corporate and creative centers, but physical production has spread across the country to numerous film-friendly towns in the US. To attract the biggest projects, states across the nation have developed lucrative tax incentives to gain an edge. And beyond the offerings from the states, there are plenty of regions across the country rolling out the red carpet to attract star talent.
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Film-Friendly Towns in the US
If these towns can effectively and consistently draw Hollywood projects, the benefits for the community are enormous. Cast and crew provide months of revenue for hotels and restaurants, productions can utilize the services of local craftspeople, and tourism can receive a boost from millions of viewers who see the city depicted on the big screen.
Texas
Film-friendly towns in the US include those in the Lone Star State. To compete with established cities, many municipalities throughout Texas are doing an excellent job of luring splashy productions. For example, San Antonio offers up to 30% in combined state and local rebates. In addition to the 22.5% rebate offered by the state of Texas, the Supplemental San Antonio Film Incentive Program (SSAI) provides an additional 7.5% rebate if 55% of your cast and crew are from Texas and at least 10% of them are San Antonio residents. The San Antonio Film Commission also offers grants and scholarships for film crews who want to film in the area.
Other Texas municipalities looking to attract production include Corpus Christi, which is considering up to $500,000 in local incentives, and the cities of Paris and Brenham, which were recently designated as Film Friendly Texas Certified Communities. These communities offer a Film Friendly Texas liaison and contribute to the state’s film location database to make location scouting easier for potential productions.
Georgia, Chicago & New Orleans
The most successful example of a city breaking into the industry is Atlanta. Since Georgia introduced its income tax credit in 2005 to production companies that spend at least $500,000 on qualified productions, the state has become the “Hollywood of the South.” The city has served as a central shooting hub for Netflix and Disney, and massive soundstage facilities such as Cinelease Studios and Tyler Perry Studios produce dozens of features, television episodes and commercials every year. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the film industry spent $2.6 billion in the Atlanta metro area in 2024, with untold millions directly benefiting local businesses.
Other cities and that have combined strong state tax incentives with robust facilities include Chicago (who’s own Cinespace campus and healthy Dick Wolf Chicago franchise hires local talent) and New Orleans (which takes advantage of Louisiana’s year-round warmth and diverse landscapes).
Oklahoma & Utah
Nearby Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, participates in a similar Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program, which boosts the state’s booming entertainment industry with a smoother permitting process and collaborative location database. Scenes from Killers of the Flower Moon were shot in Broken Arrow, utilizing both attractive incentives and vast open scenery, making this one of the most film-friendly towns in the US.
Filmmakers who want to take advantage of the Mountain West’s rugged landscapes should consider St. George, Utah, which is currently constructing a new 45-acre studio space. Spearheaded by Yellowstone star Kevin Costner, the Territory Pictures soundstage will allow for ample exterior and interior shooting for Westerns, thrillers and commercials.
New York State & New Jersey
If you’re looking to film on the East Coast beyond the film production hubs of New York City and Boston, consider Buffalo in upstate New York. The city, which boasts beautiful backdrops ranging from Art Deco skyscrapers to beautiful lakefronts, benefits from New York’s 40-45% cash rebate. Recent productions have included the 2021 Academy Award-nominated Bradley Cooper film Nightmare Alley and Hallmark Channel’s new Buffalo Bills Christmas movie, Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story.
Another enticing option for film-friendly towns in the US along the East Coast is Hoboken, New Jersey. The city’s authentic city streets and access to tri-state talent allow you to recreate New York City from a variety of eras while taking advantage of the New Jersey Film & Digital Media Tax Credit Program (which can result in up to 40%of your project budget to transferable credit). The city recently allowed A Complete Unknown to replicate the 1960s Greenwich Village where Bob Dylan lived, and recently hosted production for the Michelle Williams legal thriller A Place in Hell.
Small Towns, Big Hits
No matter which small town you choose to film your project, the benefits are plentiful. Smaller cities can be more hands-on with your production staff and allow for seamless permitting. At the same time, local domestic marketing organizations (DMOs) can direct you to compelling locations that make your story stand out. These film-friendly towns in the US provide welcoming communities that can’t wait to host you and your crew, so don’t delay research into America’s varied filming locations.
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