Houston area film production in the first half of 2024 generated a greater economic impact compared with the same period in 2023, despite a decrease in total number of productions.
In the first six months of the year, motion picture productions assisted by the Houston Film Commission generated $41.8 million for the local economy, up from just $11.5 million in the same six-month period in 2023, a 263% increase.
Year to date, the Houston Film Commission has assisted 63 film and video projects which included 536 shooting days. That’s down from 2023, when 92 film and video projects produced locally including 569 shooting days.
“Though we’ve assisted fewer overall productions so far this year, the sheer size of the productions that have filmed in recent months have far outweighed what we experienced in the first half of 2023,” said Alfred Cervantes, executive director of the Houston Film Commission. Cervantes pointed to several key projects, including the filming of the second season of comedian Mo Amer’s titular Netflix series “Mo” which filmed earlier this year. “When you have large scale productions in town, the economic effect goes up exponentially.”
Building on the momentum is key to the local industry’s continued success, Cervantes said. The number of production presentations Houston Film Commission staff have made to producers so far this year is up 25% and the number of marketing events hosted by the organization is also up 25%.
Select projects filming in Houston so far this year:
- Mo – Season 2 (Netflix/A24)
- Charliebird - Independent feature film
- Somebody’s Son – Series (OWN Network)
Recently released/upcoming productions filmed in Houston:
- Family Empire – Series (OWN Network)
- Chicano Squad Series (A&E)
- Ick – Independent feature film
To learn more about the Houston Film Commission and film production in the market visit: Houston Film Commission.
Written by Norma Salcedo and A.J. Mistretta
