Arlington launches film commission as film and TV production explodes in North Texas
As film and television production continues to explode in North Texas, Arlington is getting in on the action.
Arlington announced Wednesday, June 17 that it’s forming a film commission to support productions with guidance on permitting, location scouting and more. Arlington joins Fort Worth and Dallas as the only North Texas cities with their own film commissions.
The Arlington commission is a partnership between the city, the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau and Arlington Economic Development Corporation.
“With our iconic destinations, diverse locations and unmatched accessibility, Arlington is uniquely positioned to welcome filmmakers,” Arlington City Manager Trey Yelverton said in a press release. “The Arlington, TX Film Commission elevates the city’s creative profile while delivering valuable support to productions.”
The Arlington, TX Film Commission does not currently employ a dedicated film commissioner, a city spokesperson told the Star-Telegram on Thursday.
Instead, the film commission office will operate as a “collaborative, multi-department alliance that brings together representatives from key city and community stakeholders to provide comprehensive production support.”
Arlington launches film commission
Arlington was certified as a film-friendly community from the Texas Film Commission in 2016, and now, a decade later, is launching its own film commission.
The city has welcomed numerous productions over the years such as “Tender Mercies,” “Bull Durham,” “JFK,” “Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams,” “Entourage,” “America’s Sweethearts” and many more.
All commercial filming applications for city-owned and city-operated spaces will be processed by the commission though FilmApp, an online permitting tool. For filming at private venues in Arlington, that will be up to the operator or property owner.
Arlington businesses looking to list their venue as a potential filming location, can submit photos and information directly to the Texas Film Commission for consideration. The city already has 175 locations listed as potential filming sites, including AT&T Stadium, Arlington Museum or Art and the University of Texas at Arlington.
Finally, the commission is inviting filmmakers, studios and content creators to explore Arlington and connect with organization via its website.
