The "Tulsa Stack": How New Local Incentives Are Powering Up the 918
TULSA, OK — February 16, 2026
As of February 1, 2026, the city of Tulsa officially opened the doors to its first-ever dedicated film incentive, creating a magnetic new draw for productions looking to maximize their budgets in the heart of Oklahoma.
Managed by the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (TFMAC) and Tulsa Tourism, this new program isn't just a standalone perk—it’s a powerful "stackable" tool that could fundamentally shift where casting calls are happening this year.
The Breakdown: How the Money Works
The city has committed an annual fund of $400,000 for the 2026 calendar year. Unlike some massive state programs, this is a targeted strike designed to support projects that truly lean into the Tulsa community. Here is the "Tier" system at a glance:
- Tier 1: Targeted at projects spending between $100,000 and $5 million. These productions can qualify for a 5% rebate, capped at $50,000.
- Tier 2: Reserved for the "heavy hitters" spending over $5 million. While the rebate remains 5%, the potential payout jumps to a maximum of $75,000.
The "Stackable" Advantage
The phrase you’ll hear most in the coming months is "stacking." This is where Tulsa’s new incentive becomes a "game-changer." A production choosing to film in the Tulsa Production Zone (a 30-mile radius from City Hall) can combine this city rebate with:
- The State Rebate: The "Filmed in Oklahoma" rebate, which offers up to 30% back.
- Tribal Incentives: Programs like the Cherokee Nation Film Incentive, which provides further support for projects filming within their reservation boundaries.
When a producer sees they can get nearly 35-40% of their qualified spending back by filming in a specific "sweet spot" in Tulsa, it makes the 918 area code nearly impossible to ignore.
The Fine Print: Keeping it Local
To protect the local economy, the incentive comes with common-sense "Tulsa-first" requirements:
- Location, Location: More than 50% of filming days must happen within the 30-mile Production Zone.
- The Crew Factor: Productions are heavily incentivized to hire within the 45-mile Crew Zone.
- Local Vibes: Spending with local vendors and utilizing Tulsa-created music are major qualifiers for the payout.
Why It’s a Win for Actors and Crew
Meg Gould, Executive Director of TFMAC, has been a vocal advocate for turning Tulsa into a "global production hub." During the January 28 announcement at Circle Cinema, industry leaders emphasized that these incentives aren't just about big checks for studios—they are about local jobs. When a production is "stacking" incentives, the pressure to hire local increases. Casting directors will have a financial directive to find their "Cecil" or their leading lady right here in Oklahoma. As Jeanette Stanton, Director of the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, recently noted, the state’s growing crew base and low cost of living already make us a contender—the Tulsa "stack" is simply the closer.
How to Stay Ready
For those of us on the ground in OKC and Tulsa, the strategy is simple: Stay visible.
- Quarterly Deadlines: Keep an eye on the application dates (April 15, July 15, and October 15). When these dates pass, expect a new wave of local casting calls to hit the boards shortly after.
- Network Local: Attend events like the Bricktown Film Mixer or Tulsa’s Pitch and Pour to meet the producers who are currently crunching these numbers.