The Sam Houston Southwest Film Investment Fund (SHSWFIF) is set up as a Texas LLC and has members that have pledged a specific level of investment into the development of full feature films, television series and documentaries.

The Fund is chartered to: promote the filmmaking in the Southwest region of the US, attempting to maximize the infrastructure present; invest in new infrastructure where needed; utilize and develop local creative talent. All of these objectives are associated with a reasonable return on investment.

Our investors come from the southwestern United States, and each have many years of experience in the oil and gas industry. As investors, they identify the striking similarities between investing in the oil and gas business and investing in the business of making movies. Accustomed to carefully managing risks and realizing returns on investment, the investors are prepared to mitigate the risks inherent with film production and reap the benefits from investing with established production partners that have proven track records. The LLC members feel strongly that the old paradigm of centralized Hollywood studio filmmaking does not always work and believe a new strategy and location, particularly Texas, is paramount – a move we are not only strongly supporting, but spearheading. 

The LLC has garnered active support from various Texas State Legislators and staff who have agreed to draft and introduce bills in the State Legislature that would create State sponsored tax incentives and grants to facilitate heightened interest in and employment growth of the visual arts in Texas. In addition to investing in film production and promoting the new legislation, the objective of the LLC is to support the building of a new, state-of-the-art movie studio complex in Texas, increasing employment and bringing professional film production to the state.

The Funds' focus is P&A in the range of $8MM to $30MM as a financier to the distributor. On occasions, when an equity partner takes the lead, we have the ability with specific projects to fund up to $25MM per project. At the moment we have the capacity to fund up to three projects per year. The Fund is currently diversifying into television in 2017. The Sam Houston SW Film Fund is one of the few funds in North America that is an active member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Our modus operandi is an improvement upon the typical Hollywood Studio funding approach, and we believe it will turn out to be a new, successful, and innovative model for the actors, producers, directors and, most of all, the investors that are all participating with us. We see this business model as the "Money Ball" of the new emerging Indie Movie Business. Our Model is "Director" driven model as oposed to the tradition "producer" and "studio" driven models of the past.

PROJECT INITIATIVES FOR 2018-2019 

Industry standards are constantly changing and so are the property interests of the Sam Houston Southwest Film Investment Fund (SHSWFIF). High-quality, artistic, and commercially viable properties and concepts are always a priority. As of 2018, the fund is prioritizing certain genres and specialty considerations. Currently the fund has partnered in a variety of genre-specific slates and individual projects, and as such has created several specialty divisions specific to the type of projects currently under consideration. Please read the following carefully to ensure that your submission or query is appropriately categorized:

When anticipating a submission to SHSWFIF please list any key talent attachments, prior commercialization, status of project and any other aspects (e.g., awards or recognitions) that may impact our development team’s review. If genre-specific or applicable to any of the specialty categories listed below, please include that in your introduction. The fund and its development team cultivates and supports a broad range of commercial and artistic film and television projects through each of these specialty divisions. In particular, SHSWFIF is interested in high concept, reasonably budgeted crossover Dramas, Faith-based (where faith is the A-story), and Genre Films (specifically, high concept Action and elevated supernatural suspense inclusive of Horror). If submitting to any of these subcategories please include this information in your introduction.

Important: Please be advised that SHSWFIF cannot accept unsolicited projects or pitches. Therefore, if you do not currently have representation (i.e., and agent or entertainment attorney), please feel free to download our standard Idea Submission Form, which must be returned fully executed with each submission.

Motion Picture “INCIDENTALS” Begins Development
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Rice University’s Department of Visual and Dramatic Artsworkshops latest screenplay by Matthew Minson. “Incidentals”, billed as the first Buddhist-feminist horror/suspense story, recently wrapped an immersive table-read, rehearsal experience at Rice University’s Hamman Hall.
Matthew Minson's novel The Young Entrepreneur’s Club is in Top 25 of the 2017 Launch Pad Manuscript Competition!
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
SHSWFIF Board Advisor, Matthew Minson’s novel, The Young Entrepreneur’s Club has advanced in the Launch Pad Manuscript Competition, LPMC, to the Top 25 for 2017.
Toronto To Open With ‘The Magnificent Seven’
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
The SHSWFIF congratulates Antoine Fuqua with his most recent film.
The SHSWFI Fund has ceased and suspended further construction on the new studio
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
The SHSWFI Fund has ceased and suspended further construction on the new studio site in Kyle Texas, south of Austin, until Governor Abbott reinstates the 185 million State Film Rebate Program. Civil works were completed and building construction was halted on the 55 million 'State of the Art' Film and TV Studio designed with 5 Sound Stages.
Antoine Fuqua Signs TV Deal With The Weinstein Company
Monday, April 11, 2016
Antoine has signed a first-look television deal with the Weinstein Company. This will be a multi-year deal where TWC will have first-look options with Antoine to direct, develop or produce his television projects. “We are thrilled to continue our longstanding relationship with Antoine. We have been lucky enough to work with some of the best storytellers in the business. Antoine has a unique vision that is all his own,” said Harvey Weinstein. “His ability to take the adrenaline of action and emotion of drama, weaving them together, makes him one of the best contemporary directors and producers in our industry. We look forward to adding his powerhouse strength to our TV division.”
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