TFV first met, Carlota Guerrero Manager at Catallunya Film Commission. in March at AFCI Week in Los Angeles, where she sat down to record a podcast with Eric Mika, President and Publisher of The Film Verdict (now available on spotify).
Catalonia hosts an average of 4,000 productions per year – from short films to feature films and TV series – that make use of the wide array of locations to be found in Catalonia and its capital city Barcelona.
Catalan films selected at international film festivals often showcase local landscapes. 2022’s Golden Bear winner, “Alcarràs”, took the Catalan countryside to theatres all over the world.
“Creatura”, directed by Elena Martín Gimeno, is part of the selection of the Quinzaine des Cinéastes at this year at Festival de Cannes. Shot in Costa Brava, the film revisits the protagonist’s childhood and adolescence experiences, set against these particular seascapes, in hopes to reconcile with her own body.
Ever since “Game of Thrones” short part of season 6 in Girona in 2015, a number of international productions have filmed in Catalonia, either doubling for imaginary or real locations or as the actual setting of the story. “House of the Dragon,” used the Costa Brava to double for King’s Landing, Barcelona stood in for Paris in “The Crown” and was the setting for Sony Pictures’ “Uncharted” starring Tom Holland. HBO’s “Westworld”, Netflix’s upcoming TV Series “Where Is Erin,” and Peacock’s original “Mrs. Davis”, that is also available in HBO, are some other examples.
Multilingual crews, used to working in the most time- and cost-effective ways, a passion for filmmaking, a commitment to work at the highest possible quality standards and renowned hospitality contribute to creating long-lasting relationships with film
The 100+ features and TV shows that film in Catalonia every year make use of the diverse landscapes of the region. To the north, a 350km mountain range marks the Catalan border with France. To the east, 580 km of Mediterranean coast with long sandy beaches, virgin coves, small fishing villages and big commercial ports. Inland, manufacturing cities and old medieval towns boast industrial and cultural heritage alongside dense forests and green hills. Barcelona is Catalonia’s capital city, a safe and welcoming urban enclave offering all sorts of locations, ranging from Roman archaeological remains to contemporary 21st century architectural designs.
International producers wishing to access financing in Catalonia can partner with local companies through a coproduction agreement whereby the local company can apply for specific funds, or by hiring their production services and becoming eligible for the tax rebate available for international productions.
The minority coproduction fund awards a maximum of €300,000 per project for feature films intended for theatrical release, whilst the recently boosted Spanish tax rebate may yield a tax relief of up to €20 million for international productions.
Catalunya Film Commission is part of the film fund and the entry point for filmmakers interested in shooting in the region. It provides guidance on accessing, acts as a link to the local audio-visual infrastructure and to local authorities and offers a comprehensive database of locations and companies.
Visit the Catalan stand at Marché du Film in Cannes to know more about Catalan cinematography, film funds and Catalan companies willing to coproduce or provide production services for your project. For further information, whether financing or filming in Catalonia, don’t hesitate to contact us:
Carlota Guerrero
Manager at Catalunya Film Commission
cguerrerob@gencat.cat
www.catalunyafilmcommission.cat
@catalunyafilm
