Weimar the New Hollywood? Sprawling Film Campus Closer To a Reality There After Schulenburg Leaders Balked at Idea

Last week the Texas Film Corridor announced an official partnership with the City of Weimar.

A press release issued July 10 stated the partnership “establishes a landmark initiative to redefine the future of film production in the state, marking a pivotal step in positioning Texas as the most dynamic and competitive filming destination in the United States.”

The Texas Film Corridor describes itself as a “visionary initiative focused on advancing film production across Texas through innovation, infrastructure, and investment in local communities. With a three-phase development plan starting in Weimar, the Corridor is redefining what production facilities can be – and building the future of filmmaking from the ground up.”

The statement went on to say that the City of Weimar and the Texas Film Corridor are working on tax incentives that can be paired with the Texas Moving Image Incentive Program through the Governor’s Office to help fund the investment. The press release said the developers intend to build a “state-of-the-art, selfsufficient film campus” to include:

• 9 soundstages at 20,000 sq. ft. each,

• 5 soundstages at 40,000 sq. ft.,

• Full pre- and post-production facilities,

• Set mills, prop workshops, and costume facilities, and 

• On-site crew lodging and world-class amenities.

Plans call for a full-scale Western town to serve as a movie set.

“Weimar is strategically located right off I-10, and supported by forward-thinking local leadership, this partnership allows us to build a project that will define filmmaking for the next 50 years on Texas’s terms,” said Dillon Davis, the Texas Film Corridor founder. “But more than that, it allows us to do it right. With heart, character, and the kind of integrity that’s been lost in much of the industry. Everything’s bigger in Texas, and the time is now. So why not us?”

Texas Film Corridor says it is projected to generate more than 2,200 direct and indirect jobs across construction, entertainment, hospitality, and essential services.

“From skilled trades and creative talent to site management and local vendors, the project is committed to hiring locally and keeping economic benefits within the community,” the press release stated.

The Texas Film Corridor first broached the idea of a film studio complex to Schulenburg civic leaders back in March of last year. At the time, they were interested in acquiring property in the High Hill area to build Western-style film sets and a production center.

However, several local leaders including Schulenburg Mayor Connie Koopmann and Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann strongly opposed the development. At the time, both of them raised concerns about how the project might affect the area’s rural landscape and lifestyle.

After the negative reception in Schulenburg, Weimar Mayor Milton Koller reached out to the Texas Film Corridor to promote his city.

“I heard they didn’t want to open their arms to it,” Koller told the Record last summer. “I’m completely different. I know tomorrow is going to be different than today. I want to be proactive instead of reactive.”

Last week Davis said, “Weimar embraced us with open arms – and truly appreciated that this is homegrown.”