The Texas Film Commission released its April 2026 newsletter on Apr. 23, providing updates on upcoming film festival submission deadlines, recent outreach activities, and new staff announcements.
The newsletter highlights the importance of timely submissions for filmmakers interested in participating in various Texas-based festivals. It lists several events with imminent deadlines, including the Austin Film Festival’s Digital Series and Script Competitions, GTX Film Festival, Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant, El Paso Film Festival, Tyler Film Fest, The Billy the Kid Film Festival, Oak Cliff Film Festival, CineFestival San Antonio, REEL East Texas Film Festival, and Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival.
A milestone was noted in the “Made in Texas” interview series with its first international interview featuring Tokyo-based filmmaker Fumiya Hayakawa discussing his short film “The Night We Met.” Hayakawa shared his experiences filming Japanese stories in Texas and commented on Austin’s welcoming environment for filmmakers.
The commission addressed questions about the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP), reminding readers that it is “the first, last and only source you should trust when it comes to anything TMIIIP-related.” The newsletter encourages direct contact with their Incentive Department for any program inquiries.
Recent outreach efforts included participation by staff members at industry events across Los Angeles; screenings and Q&A sessions at Lost River Film Festival; attendance at symposia in Corpus Christi; speaker series involvement in Fort Worth; career fairs in College Station; conferences in San Francisco; and information sessions at Houston Latino Film Festival.
In addition to event coverage and program updates, the commission welcomed Meagan McCrary as its new Marketing Specialist. McCrary is an alum of The University of Texas at Austin with experience managing social media profiles for Aduro Studios and WIFT Austin. She will oversee social media strategy and support marketing initiatives within the office.
