As a long-time enthusiast of international cinema, I am thrilled to see the surge of Catalan productions making waves on the global stage. Having traveled extensively across Europe, I can attest to the rich cultural tapestry that Catalonia weaves, and it’s no surprise that its local productions are capturing the attention of viewers worldwide.
The unique mix of cultural richness, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant urban areas found in Catalonia has enticed many movie directors, serving as a backdrop for some of the most significant movies and television shows ever made.
Known fact: The region stretches from the sunny coastlines of Costa Brava to the majestic peaks of the Pyrenees, catering to an array of filming or production sites suitable for various types.
Yet, the strength of this region as a manufacturing center, situated along the eastern Mediterranean, extends far beyond just the numerous appealing and adaptable locations available.
Major international streaming platforms such as Disney+, Legendary, Netflix, Amazon, Sony Pictures, HBO Max, and Apple TV Plus are opting to film their productions in Catalonia.
2015 saw a significant turning point for regional film productions, as scenes from “Game of Thrones” Season 6 were filmed in Girona. This event not only marked the beginning of a new era but also sparked Spain’s introduction of shoot tax incentives. As a result, international film crews started to scout the country and collaborate with emerging production service companies. They found a wealth of diverse locations in their explorations.
Apart from its beautiful landscapes, Catalonia also offers a strong local audiovisual sector that attracts international productions. This is due to its competitive production costs, substantial federal incentives, an abundance of seasoned creative and technical personnel, high-quality equipment resources, and a range of complementary services.
Carlota Guerrero from Catalonia Film Commission points out that a significant advantage of our area is the opportunity to work with local crews who often account for 80% of international production teams, even including department heads. Additionally, local suppliers are also available,” says Carlota Guerrero, making it an essential gateway for filmmakers considering filming in this region.
The Hollywood Connection
An accomplished film production company, boasting branches in Tenerife, Barcelona, and Lisbon, Surfilm displays a striking affiliation with Hollywood.
With co-founder Juan Cano ‘Nono’ at the helm, Surfilm has been instrumental in producing Season 2 of Disney+’s “Andor” for LucasFilm. This production took place within the Montserrat Natural Park, a protected natural region situated in Barcelona’s province.
In the past few months of this year, filming for Netflix original series “Cobra Kai” Season 6 was done in famous spots around Barcelona, such as Antonio Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, Plaza Real, Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site, La Rambla, and Barceloneta Beach, along with some other popular locations.
The filming, handled by Surfilm, was carried out in the coastal towns on the Mediterranean, specifically Sitges (Barcelona) and Tossa de Mar (Girona).
In part, the third season of the “Foundation” sci-fi series produced by Skydance Television for Apple TV was filmed at Barcelona’s Labyrinth Park (Parc del Laberint d’Horta), with support from Surfilm as well.
By the close of 2024, UK viewers can anticipate enjoying a two-part series of the legal drama ‘The Split’, which was filmed in Catalonia, and is a production collaboration between BBC and Sister.
Crewing Up in Catalonia
Relying on skilled production crews from other countries means that international producers can skip sending their own technical teams to Catalonia,” he clarifies. “This approach serves a dual purpose: it bolsters the local technical workforce and also reduces expenses associated with travel, accommodation, and living costs.
Catalonia hosts around 110 national and international feature films and TV series per year.
As a cinephile penning my thoughts post-2023, despite a dip in global film productions in Catalonia, triggered by American labor unrest, the current year has seen a remarkable comeback – even outshining the numbers we saw before!, Guerrero expresses.
13 international TV shows and 11 local Catalan TV shows were filmed in Catalonia this year as compared to only 6 international and 12 local shows for all of 2023. However, the final numbers may rise during the busy fall season when filming activity typically intensifies.
Catalan Talent
Local productions filmed in Catalonia have made waves recently on the international scene.
A significant change took place in late 2022, attracting more global film and television productions to Catalonia and Spain as a whole. This change was the Spanish government’s decision to increase the maximum amount of tax incentives – credits or rebates – for international TV episodes to €10 million ($10.85 million) per episode.
The original series titled “Pubertat,” originally created by Leticia Dolera, is the brainchild behind the hit TV show “Perfect Life” produced by Movistar Plus-HBO Max. This series was a double winner at Canneseries in 2019 and has received numerous other accolades.
In Dolera’s forthcoming series, we follow a story where a disturbing social media post about adolescent sexual assault disrupts the peace within a community, revealing the suppressed sexual issues among those responsible for their care and upbringth.
The 13-week filming for the series was conducted in various municipalities of Catalonia, including Terrassa, Martorell, Olesa de Montserrat, Barcelona, El Prat del Llobregat, Sabadell, Cabrils, Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, and Arenys de Munt.
Miriam Portá, a producer at Distinto Films, explains that since they chose to base the storyline of their series around ‘castellers’ or human castle builders, it made sense for them to shoot the entire production within Catalonia.
The selection of locations for the series was primarily influenced by logistical concerns. Being near Barcelona, home to the three production companies, makes transportation and management much more convenient. More specifically, Terrassa was chosen because it is where the ‘colla castellera’ Minyons de Terrassa is headquartered, which provides an authentic backdrop for the fictional group in ‘Pubertat.’
2007 saw the establishment of Distinto Films in Barcelona, a production company focused on creating high-quality projects centered around significant cultural topics and nurturing emerging talent. For their film “Pubertat”, they collaborated with Corte y Confección and Uri Films, and formed a co-production with AT-Prod based in Belgium.
Institutional Support
The trio of Catalan productions collaborated to secure financing for their project, receiving development grants from both the Catalan government’s ICEC and Europa Creativa Media, along with series development support from ICEC and co-production opportunities with 3CAT. Additionally, Max is participating in a production titled “Pubertat,” which will be premiered as a Max Original Series.
Through our global collaboration with AT-Prod, “Pubertat” became among the initial series to secure financial backing from Eurimages’ pioneer program for series funding.
Porté explains that in Catalonia, we boast top-tier professionals in both technology and authorship. Moreover, he highlights the competitive advantage of Catalonia and Spain, as they offer exceptionally cost-effective production compared to many neighboring European nations.
As a supporter, I’m thrilled about the fortunate position we find ourselves in, being able to establish our financing foundations, backed by robust institutional support from ICEC and 3Cat. This strategic move not only fortifies our industry but also nurtures our Catalan language and culture.
In other words, Catalan-language series and productions receive substantial start-up funding, which makes it easier for us to secure additional financing, whether national or international. This financial strength, coupled with international appeal, enables us to qualify for European aid, as demonstrated by ‘Pubertat.'” Porté concludes.
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2024-10-22 08:18