The City of El Paso’s Film & Creative Industries Commission proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024. This milestone achievement recognizes the commission as the City’s primary resource for visiting film, television and multimedia producers.

In the early 1970s, El Paso was increasingly utilized as a filming location for major studio film productions including Sam Peckinpah’s, “The Getaway,” starring Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw. “By 1974, the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau saw the need to devote staff and resources to the growing Texas regional film industry,” said current Film & Creative Industries Commissioner, Drew Mayer-Oakes.

The then Texas Governor Preston Smith, a movie theatre owner and film industry veteran, encouraged Texas cities to create local film offices modeled on his newly created Texas Film Commission. “El Paso was one of, if not the earliest, city film offices in the state of Texas and has been operating for the last 50 years,” added Mayer-Oakes.

Over the past five decades, the Film & Creative Industries Commission has served at the forefront of facilitating professional film, TV and musical productions in El Paso. The commission highlights El Paso’s involvement in the creative industry which contributes millions of dollars to the city’s economy every year. As part of its ongoing efforts, the Film & Creative Industries Commission will highlight film, music and creative industry milestones on social media and through special events throughout the year.

“We look forward to continuing our legacy of empowering filmmakers and creative professionals for the next 50 years and beyond.”