MCALLEN, Texas - The City of McAllen is now a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community.
McAllen joins Brownsville, Edinburg, Hidalgo, Mercedes, and South Padre Island and more than 200 other Texas cities on the list.
Roma, which is where the iconic 1950s movie Viva Zapata was filmed, is not yet on the list.
A Film Friendly Texas Certified Community is so designated by the Texas Film Commission. TFC is part of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office within the Office of the Governor.
More than 200 Film Friendly Texas Certified Communities across the state receive ongoing training and guidance from TFC on media industry standards, best practices, and how to effectively accommodate on-location filming activity in their community.
Cities must complete a multi-step training and certification process in order to secure designation.
“Congratulations to the City of McAllen on joining more than 200 Film Friendly Texas Certified Communities,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
“The Texas Film Commission partners with communities in every region of the state to market their unique appeal and attract new investments in media production. Through ongoing Film Friendly Texas training, communities are prepared to support media production, spurring on-site spending at local businesses and creating good-paying jobs for Texans.”
McAllen leaders were thrilled with the announcement:
State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa:
“I applaud the leadership of Mayor Villalobos and the McAllen City Commission, and I appreciate the dedication of city staff in earning the Film Friendly Texas Certified Community designation. During the last legislative session, I joined my colleagues in supporting a $300 million appropriation for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, administered by the Texas Film Commission. Earning this designation is important for cities like McAllen, as it signals their commitment to the industry, attracts film professionals to our region, and positions the city to take advantage of the state incentives.”
State Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra:
State Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr.:
“What a great opportunity to showcase not only our rich culture and history in the mainstream media, but also how safe and close-knit our community has always been. I applaud the City of McAllen and I am certain that this designation can only bring about more positive effects for our region as a whole. We appreciate the Governor’s Office for their ongoing support and always look forward to working with them for the betterment of our state.”
McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos:
“This designation creates new opportunities to promote tourism, support local talent, stimulate economic growth, and introduce new audiences to the spirit and character of our community. We are proud to join other Film Friendly Texas Certified Communities across the state and look forward to positioning McAllen as a destination where creativity, culture, and opportunity come together.”
McAllen City Manager Isaac “Ike” Tawil:
“Achieving the Film Friendly Texas certification reflects the City of McAllen’s commitment to economic development, collaboration, and innovation. This process required coordination across multiple departments to ensure our city is prepared to support film and media productions efficiently and professionally.”
McAllen Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Elizabeth Suarez:
“Receiving the Film Friendly Texas certification is more than a designation for McAllen — it is a statement about where our city is headed,. We are excited about the partnerships, investment, and national attention this can bring to our city, and we look forward to building lasting relationships within the film industry while continuing to showcase everything that makes McAllen unique.”
The Texas Economic Development &Tourism Office is tasked with marketing and promoting the state of Texas across the nation and around the world as the premier business location and travel destination. The department works closely with communities and local, regional, and statewide economic development and tourism organizations, as well as partnering state agencies. The aim is to make sure Texas is the best place to live, work, and visit.
