The scoop: Locations, locations, locations. Plus assistance from the Vienna Film Fund — E8 million ($10.7 million) distributed annually to films with Austrian co-producers — and the Austrian film Institute, with E10 million ($13 million) projected for this year. Austrian companies such as Swarovski and Austrian Railways are becoming more savvy about product placement, helping to offset expenses. Toss in some of the emerging Austrian talents, and a film in the E10 million-E15 million ($13 million-$20 million range) could find 10%-20% of its financing in Austria — all of which makes Austria the third-largest co-production partner for Germany. The Austrian Film Institute saw an increase of 25% in film funding to E12.1 ($16 million) this year, and more could be on the way. Tax incentives are now being mooted by the government.
Bonus: Cine Tirol will fund up to 20% of a film’s budget, but all of that local funding is earmarked for local spend. Include some locations outside of Vienna for access to funds from the nine provinces E1.5million (up to $2 million) available in each region), using an Austrian partner.
Shot there: “Lilli the Witch,” Buena Vista Intl.; “Klimt,” starring John Malkovich
Hot spot: If Austria conjures up the sound of music, head to post houses like MG-Sound or HEY-U Entertainment, or use the concert-quality stage at the venerable Rosenhuegel Studios in Filmstadt Wien for pristine music and sound recording.
Links:
- Austrian Film Institute: filminstitut.at
- Vienna Film Fund: filmfonds-wein.at
- Cine Tirol: cinetirol.at
- Location Austria: location-austria.at
- Assn. of Austrian Film Producers: austrian-film.com
