Liberty’s historic downtown, century-old buildings and even its old county jail could someday serve as backdrops for movies, television shows and commercials now that the city has officially earned its designation as a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community.
The designation, announced by the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office within the Office of the Governor on Monday, Nov. 9, puts Liberty among more than 200 Texas communities that have completed the certification process. The program helps cities prepare for film productions and promotes their locations to filmmakers looking for places to shoot movies, television shows, commercials and other projects.
Liberty Councilwoman Betty Runkle, who led the effort to get the city certified, said the idea actually started several years ago when she and Debbie Dugger were working to establish Lights in Liberty. They hoped the annual Christmas celebration might someday attract the attention of Hallmark, which is known for its holiday movies.
That idea never really left Runkle. After she was elected to the Liberty City Council, she attended a training session for newly elected officials and came across information about the Texas Film Commission’s Film Friendly Texas program.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time,” Runkle said.
She researched the program and realized it was something Liberty could accomplish without a significant investment of taxpayer money.
Runkle teamed up with Margaret Gardzina, a member of the Liberty Community Development Corporation, to work through the certification requirements. Gardzina helped arrange appointments with property owners and coordinate photographs of locations that might interest filmmakers.
The two attended a workshop, gathered information about possible filming locations and worked with the city to establish guidelines for productions. Runkle said the process required very little taxpayer money, with the city covering the minimal cost of the workshop while she and Gardzina volunteered their time.
From overlooked to on the radar
One of the more encouraging developments came when Runkle and Gardzina met with Houston Film Commission Chairman Alfred Cervantes to discuss Liberty’s potential as a filming destination.
During the meeting, Cervantes acknowledged that Liberty had inadvertently been overlooked as a potential filming location. He immediately arranged a visit to see what the city had to offer.
Among the places he toured was the old Liberty County Jail, which caught his attention as soon as he stepped inside.
Runkle recalled that when Bobby Rader opened the door and Cervantes entered the building, he saw its potential.
“He said to us, ‘Oh, I can sell this,'” Runkle recalled.
The historic 75th District Court courtroom also drew interest because much of its original appearance has been preserved.
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Runkle is scheduled to give a presentation to county officials to explain the city’s efforts and discuss the possibility of using county-owned properties for filming.
Using an active courtroom would require some planning around court schedules, but Runkle said that is part of her job as Liberty’s designated film liaison.
“I’m the Rolodex, basically,” she said.
If a production company wants to film in Liberty, Runkle will help connect its representatives with property owners, law enforcement, fire departments and other agencies. She will also help coordinate permits and make sure filming activities comply with local requirements.
The city has already adopted filming and entertainment guidelines that address insurance, permits, property protection and other matters. The information is available under the Film Friendly Texas section of the Discover Liberty tab on the city’s website.
Runkle is also putting together a notebook of contacts to make it easier for production companies to find the people they need.
Filming could bring economic boost to Liberty
While seeing Liberty featured in a movie would be exciting, Runkle said the real attraction is the money a production could bring into the community.
Film crews need places to stay, restaurants where they can eat and businesses where they can purchase supplies. Productions may also hire local carpenters, electricians, security personnel and extras.
Property owners could benefit, too. If a filmmaker wants to use a home, business or vacant building, the owner could receive rental income. In some cases, productions might also pay for improvements needed to make a property suitable for filming.
Runkle said she is particularly interested in the possibility of attracting investment that could help preserve some of Liberty’s older buildings. She pointed to the old railroad station, hotel and other historic structures that give the city much of its character.
“How can we find money to preserve them that doesn’t involve taxpayer money?” she said.
A film production could be one way to accomplish that, depending on the property and what the filmmakers need.
“I’m looking for any way we can bring more revenue into town that doesn’t cause our taxes to go up,” Runkle said.
She also noted that productions do not have to be major Hollywood movies. Television commercials, music videos and other projects could bring business to Liberty. In fact, she said a music video was filmed at the old county jail some time ago.
Runkle believes Liberty’s location could also work in its favor. The city is close enough to Houston that productions may be eligible for certain regional incentives, in addition to state programs, depending on the projects and their qualifications.
Another example she likes to point to is Smithville, Texas, where the movie “Hope Floats” was filmed in 1998. Nearly three decades later, people still visit the community to see places featured in the movie. For Runkle, that shows how a film can benefit a town long after the cameras are gone.
Liberty’s certification also comes at a time when film and television productions are using locations across Texas. Projects reported to have filmed in the state during 2026 include Taylor Sheridan’s “Landman,” “The Madison” and “Lioness,” along with the faith-based series “The Chosen.” Productions have used locations in Fort Worth, Austin, Midlothian and other Texas communities.
Runkle mentioned Sheridan, whose television productions have made extensive use of Texas locations, as an example of the kind of filmmaker she hopes will someday consider Liberty.
State officials congratulate Liberty
Gov. Greg Abbott congratulated Liberty on becoming a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community, saying the program helps communities attract investments and jobs.
“Through ongoing Film Friendly Texas training, communities are prepared to support media production, spurring on-site spending at local businesses and creating good-paying jobs for Texans,” Abbott said.
State Sen. Robert Nichols congratulated Liberty on earning the designation.
“The Film Friendly Texas Certified Community program will promote economic development in communities by attracting investments that tell great Texas stories,” Nichols said.
State Rep. Janis Holt also praised the city’s efforts.
“This designation creates new opportunities to showcase our community while bringing business to our local shops, restaurants, and other small businesses,” Holt said. “I’m proud of our city leaders for taking this step to support economic growth and share what makes Liberty such a special place to call home.”
Liberty Mayor John Hebert Jr. said the certification offers another way to promote the city’s history.
“Liberty’s rich history has always made our community special,” Hebert said. “Being certified as a Film Friendly Texas community gives us a new way to share that story. We’re proud to welcome filmmakers who want to capture the authentic spirit of Liberty.”
City Manager Bryan Kendrick said the certification will help the city accommodate productions while protecting local properties and businesses.
“Film Friendly Texas certification means Liberty is open and ready to welcome productions the right way,” Kendrick said. “It helps us host crews professionally, support local businesses, and keep our community character intact. We are glad to be part of it.”
Setting the stage for what comes next
With the certification complete, Runkle hopes Liberty will begin attracting attention from location scouts and production companies.
She is also hoping that this year’s Lights in Liberty celebration might help put the city on the radar of people in the entertainment industry. Singer-songwriter and actor Caleb Martin, who portrays Ben “B.R.” Reynolds in Sheridan’s “Landman” and Dennis in “1923,” is scheduled to appear at the Lights in Liberty chili cookoff on Dec. 21.
Runkle hopes Martin’s visit might help introduce Liberty to others in the entertainment industry, particularly those involved in Sheridan’s productions.
She is also interested in helping other Liberty County communities pursue Film Friendly Texas certification. Dayton has already shown interest in the program, and Runkle believes places such as Hardin and Daisetta, with its rural scenery and ranch properties, could also appeal to filmmakers.
For now, she knows there is no guarantee that a movie or television production will come to Liberty. Still, she is encouraged by the response from the Houston Film Commission and the interest shown in photographs submitted to the Texas Film Commission.
She has not given up on that original idea of seeing a Hallmark Christmas movie filmed in Liberty. After all, the city already has the historic downtown, the Christmas lights and the small-town atmosphere. Now it has the certification, too.
With that accomplishment behind her, Runkle is already looking ahead. She said her next goal is to help Liberty earn its Music Friendly Texas certification, another state designation aimed at supporting the music industry and creating opportunities for musicians, venues and music-related businesses.