Hillwood and SGS Studios Launch Largest Production Campus in Texas: 450,000 SF Studio Facility Now Active in Fort Worth’s AllianceTexas

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 13, 2025--

Hillwood, a Perot Company, today announced a landmark partnership with SGS Studios, which will operate the venture and oversee all production services, to bring large-scale film and television production to the 27,000-acre AllianceTexas development in Fort Worth. In collaboration with Paramount Television — the studio behind cultural landmarks like Yellowstone and Landman — SGS Studios has launched a cutting-edge production campus totaling 450,000 square feet, purpose-built to support four concurrent large-scale productions. This development marks the largest operating studio facility in Texas.

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This venture represents a powerful partnership between three forces shaping the future of entertainment: SGS Studios, Hillwood, & Paramount Television. SGS Studios, founded by visionary creator Taylor Sheridan, is redefining how and where content is made through a next-generation production infrastructure platform; Hillwood, a global leader in large-scale real estate development, brings a proven track record of transformative commercial projects; and Paramount Television, the creative powerhouse behind some of the most successful franchises in modern television, anchors the venture with world-class storytelling.

“In order for us to have the space to create the worlds that Taylor, Paramount and 101 Studios envision, we need world-class facilities and partners,” said Keri Panichi Flint, Head of Global Production, Showtime / MTV Entertainment Studios. “Ross Perot​ Jr., Mike Berry, the Hillwood team and SGS have delivered on just that. They have been incredible partners in helping us bring a state-of-the-art facility to life in Texas to make ou​r shows with the authenticity they deserve, while, equally as important, bringing thousands of jobs to the community. We are so thankful to Texas state and local leaders, Mr. Perot, Mr​. Berry, SGS and the people and community of F​ort Worth.”

SGS's two-building campus, known as SGS 1 and SGS 2, offers fully HVAC-equipped and power-optimized facilities that combine sound stages, mill space, wardrobe, and green screen capabilities into a unified operational footprint. Filming at the campus began in March 2025, led by Paramount and 101 Studios for the second season of Landman.

“SGS Studios isn’t just about sound stages or incentives — it’s about reclaiming the independence and grit that built this industry in the first place,” said Taylor Sheridan about the studios. “Texas offers something rare: the space to dream big, the freedom to build fast, and a community that still believes storytelling matters. Ross, Mike and the entire team at Hillwood are truly exceptional partners, and we are building something permanent that will be the centerpiece for one of the most state-of-the-art studios in the business.”

With more production talent relocating to Texas, a business-friendly environment, and a competitive film incentive program, SGS and Hillwood’s vision is to position the state as a global center for media production. The collaboration’s shared vision is to make Texas one of the world’s premier destinations for content creation — offering filmmakers access to a diverse range of visual landscapes, from sweeping ranchlands to bustling urban centers, all supported by lower costs and rapidly expanding infrastructure.

Looking Ahead: A Master-Planned Studio Campus in the Heart of Texas

Following the launch of SGS 1 and SGS 2, the partnership will begin development of the first master-planned studio campus within the AllianceTexas footprint — a full-service, purpose-built production destination designed to anchor long-term industry growth. These studios will be the first of several campuses planned across Hillwood’s 27,000-acre AllianceTexas development, each featuring additional sound stages, post-production suites, vendor support, and scalable infrastructure designed to attract top-tier productions and long-term tenants from around the world.

"This partnership reflects the strength of AllianceTexas and the leadership of Fort Worth in embracing new industries and opportunity,” said Ross Perot, Jr., Chairman of Hillwood. “We are proud to help bring major film and television production to North Texas through this collaboration with SGS Studios, and we are grateful to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Sen. Joan Huffman and state Rep. Todd Hunter for their leadership in advancing the state’s film incentive legislation that will further diversify our economy and create long-term growth for our region and state. I am also especially pleased that the legislation includes added incentives for production companies to recruit and train veterans, given our longstanding commitment to supporting veterans as they transition into the civilian workforce."

"We are at a pivotal moment where Texas can become a global force in the film industry, and North Texas offers the location and resources to play a central role in this development," said Mike Berry, President of Hillwood. "We have the infrastructure in place to grow jobs exponentially and produce thousands of future film industry workers, and with our partners, we have already started providing training for the specialty skills this workforce sector requires. Doing this will allow us to further diversify North Texas' economic impact and long-term success."

The Studios campus is centrally located in AllianceTexas, with immediate access to Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport, DFW International Airport, and versatile shooting locations, including Circle T Ranch and surrounding built environments. The broader region offers ample housing, hotels, transportation, and services to support both short-term productions and long-term infrastructure development.

“Fort Worth is now the fourth largest city in Texas, and the film industry presents an exciting opportunity to fuel our growth while keeping our economy bold and diverse,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “With Hillwood’s legacy of leadership in infrastructure development and innovation, it’s fitting that AllianceTexas serves as a hub for creative production with the addition of the new SGS production campus. This move is significant in showcasing what Fort Worth can offer to attract major productions that create jobs and foster continued industry growth.”

To ensure a strong local talent pipeline, SGS has partnered with Tarrant County College to offer job training programs in set construction, grip and electric, post-production, and stage operations — preparing residents for high-paying careers in the entertainment industry. To date, the programs have trained more than 150 students with continued growth anticipated to 300 students.

The project received designation as a Media Production Development Zone (MPDZ) from the City of Fort Worth in December 2024, followed by approval from the Texas Film Commission and Texas Comptroller in January 2025. These designations are already fueling job growth and increasing visibility as Texas continues to attract productions relocating from California and other traditional hubs.

ABOUT SGS STUDIOS

SGS Studios is a full-service production services company developing and operating sound stage facilities, location services, and vendor infrastructure. With deep industry relationships and a scalable operating model, SGS partners with governments and content creators to build integrated production campuses. SGS also provides production rentals, equipment rentals, and on-site services — supporting productions from pre-to-post production. sgs-studios.com.

ABOUT HILLWOOD

Hillwood, a Perot company, is a premier commercial and residential real estate developer, investor, and advisor of properties throughout North America and Europe. With a diverse portfolio of properties and home to many of the world's leading companies, Hillwood is committed to bringing long-term value to our customers, partners, and the communities we serve. For more information, please visit www.hillwood.com.

Hillwood Properties, based in Fort Worth, is a leading real estate developer specializing in industrial logistics, corporate office, and retail mixed-use development, as well as airport and property management. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Hillwood has established a reputation for quality development that drives economic growth for communities throughout North Texas. Signature developments include AllianceTexas, Circle T Ranch, and Frisco Station. To date, Hillwood Properties has developed and acquired 32 million square feet of industrial, 3.6 million square feet of retail and office, and over 4,000 multifamily units. For more information on Hillwood Properties' flagship development, AllianceTexas, please visit www.alliancetexas.com.

ABOUT PARAMOUNT, A SKYDANCE CORPORATION

Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY ) is a leading, next‑generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company's portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America's most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance's Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.

Following the launch of SGS 1 and SGS 2, the partnership will begin development of the first master-planned studio campus within the AllianceTexas footprint. (Photo: SGS/Hillwood)

With the state's competitive film incentive program, SGS and Hillwood’s vision is to position Texas as a global center for media production. (Photo: SGS/Hillwood)

A federal appeals panel on Thursday reversed a lower court decision that released former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil from an immigration jail, bringing the government one step closer to detaining and ultimately deporting the Palestinian activist.

The three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals didn’t decide the key issue in Khalil’s case: whether the Trump administration’s effort to throw Khalil out of the U.S. over his campus activism and criticism of Israel is unconstitutional.

But in its 2-1 decision, the panel ruled a federal judge in New Jersey didn’t have jurisdiction to decide the matter at this time. Federal law requires the case to fully move through the immigration courts first, before Khalil can challenge the decision, they wrote.

“That scheme ensures that petitioners get just one bite at the apple — not zero or two,” the panel wrote. “But it also means that some petitioners, like Khalil, will have to wait to seek relief for allegedly unlawful government conduct.”

Thursday’s decision marked a major win for the Trump administration’s sweeping campaign to detain and deport noncitizens who joined protests against Israel.

Tricia McLaughlin, a Homeland Security Department spokesperson, called the ruling “a vindication of the rule of law.”

In a statement, she said the department will “work to enforce his lawful removal order” and encouraged Khalil to “self-deport now before he is arrested, deported, and never given a chance to return.”

It was not clear whether the government would seek to detain Khalil, a legal permanent resident, again while his legal challenges continue.

In a statement distributed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Khalil called the appeals ruling “deeply disappointing."

“The door may have been opened for potential re-detainment down the line, but it has not closed our commitment to Palestine and to justice and accountability," he said. "I will continue to fight, through every legal avenue and with every ounce of determination, until my rights, and the rights of others like me, are fully protected.”

Baher Azmy, one of Khalil's lawyers, said the ruling was “contrary to rulings of other federal courts."

“Our legal options are by no means concluded, and we will fight with every available avenue,” he said.

The ACLU said the Trump administration cannot lawfully re-detain Khalil until the order takes formal effect, which won't happen while he can still immediately appeal.

Khalil’s lawyers can request that the panel's decision be set aside and the matter reconsidered by a larger group of judges on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, or they can go to the U.S. Supreme Court.

An outspoken leader of the pro-Palestinian movement at Columbia, Khalil was arrested last March. He then spent three months detained in a Louisiana immigration jail, missing the birth of his first child.

Federal officials have accused Khalil of leading activities “aligned to Hamas,” though they have not presented evidence to support the claim and have not accused him of criminal conduct. They also accused Khalil, 31, of failing to disclose information on his green card application.

The government justified the arrest under a seldom-used statute that allows for the expulsion of noncitizens whose beliefs are deemed to pose a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests.

In June, a federal judge in New Jersey ruled that justification would likely be declared unconstitutional and ordered Khalil released.

President Donald Trump's administration appealed that ruling, arguing the deportation decision should fall to an immigration judge, rather than a federal court.

Khalil has dismissed the allegations as “baseless and ridiculous,” framing his arrest and detention as a “direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza.”

New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, said on social media Thursday that Khalil should remain free.

“Last year’s arrest of Mahmoud Khalil was more than just a chilling act of political repression, it was an attack on all of our constitutional rights,” Mamdani wrote on X. “Now, as the crackdown on pro-Palestinian free speech continues, Mahmoud is being threatened with rearrest. Mahmoud is free — and must remain free.”

Judge Arianna Freeman dissented Thursday, writing that her colleagues were holding Khalil to the wrong legal standard. Khalil, she wrote, is raising “now-or-never claims” that can be handled at the district court level, even though his immigration case isn't complete.

Both judges who ruled against Khalil, Thomas Hardiman and Stephanos Bibas, were Republican appointees. President George W. Bush appointed Hardiman to the 3rd Circuit, while Trump appointed Bibas. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, appointed Freeman.

The two-judge majority rejected Freeman's worry that their decision would leave Khalil with no remedy for unconstitutional immigration detention, even if he later can appeal.

“But our legal system routinely forces petitioners — even those with meritorious claims — to wait to raise their arguments," the judges wrote.

The decision comes as an appeals board in the immigration court system weighs a previous order that found Khalil could be deported to Algeria, where he maintains citizenship through a distant relative, or Syria, where he was born in a refugee camp to a Palestinian family.

His attorneys have said he faces mortal danger if forced to return to either country.

Associated Press writers Larry Neumeister and Anthony Izaguirre contributed to this story.

FILE - Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil holds a news conference outside Federal Court on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 in Philadelphia (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)