Roll camera: Mountain Film City Innsbruck

At the beginning of October 2024, the media reported that the US streaming company Netflix was currently filming parts of a new comedy in Innsbruck's Hofgarten. A Munich-based production company was responsible for the filming and had arrived with its crew and actors.

The fact that international production companies shoot in Innsbruck is nothing new - what is less well known is that there is a colorful and bustling film scene here. Whether you are an editor, director, scriptwriter or camerawoman - Tirol is actually well positioned when it comes to film. Around 40 relevant companies can be found under the roof of the "Filmbase" on Haller Straße in Innsbruck alone.

In addition to coworking spaces, the location also has fully equipped studios. In order to better represent their interests, some filmmakers formed an association some time ago „Mountain Film City“ some time ago. (See interview with chairman Martin Venier below) "I've been a member for three years and the network is growing and growing. We also organize workshops by professionals for professionals and we want to expand this area further," explains Daniel Dlouhy, himself a filmmaker and owner of Bunny Beach Film.

He had to produce his documentary "Eva Maria", which he created together with Lukas Ladner, outside of Tyrol for financial reasons. "We need appropriate fundingso that we can realize our film ideas, especially feature-length films, away from sport and advertising, in Tyrol," explains Dlouhy. Remarkable films have been produced in recent years, particularly in the field of documentaries.

Among other things, he refers to Melanie Hollaus filmic treatment of historical topics such as the "Bocksiedlung" or the „Schlachthofblock“ in Innsbruck, or the internationally acclaimed film "Bis zum letzten Tropfen" by Harry Putzwhich takes a critical look at the expansion of hydroelectric power plants in Tyrol.

The wide range and potential of local filmmakers can be seen not least in the Videoswhich have been produced since 2000 in cooperation with Innsbruck Tourismus in which filmmakers take a humorous or critical look at their city.

A potential that calls for more. The association Mountain Film City is very active. Perhaps it will soon be "Shut up! Camera rolling ..." for a local production.

Who were the initiators and why are you involved with Mountain Film City?

Martin Venier: Manfred Pascher was by far the most important person and was mainly responsible for the founding and subsequent development of the association. I'm personally involved because I think networking among filmmakers in Tyrol is so important. A small team meets every week and the entire association meets once a month. I think there is nothing better than exchanging ideas and finding joint solutions.

Who do you want to reach, who do you want to address?

Venier: One of the main aims of the association is to establish film funding in Tyrol. Many of our members work successfully in the business sector or in sport. However, as soon as someone wants to venture into documentaries, short films or feature films, it is very difficult to set up project financing.

Thanks to the Austrian film funding program, the motivation to make more feature films in Tirol is naturally very high. However, a project must already have basic financing in order to be able to access Austrian funding at all - which is why the association is fighting for film funding in Tyrol.

Where and how do you see Innsbruck as a location in the international arena?

Venier: Innsbruck has everything it needs to be an absolute top location in film. We have these incredibly beautiful natural locations and a perfect infrastructure. I am convinced that many more films will be shot here in the coming years, and hopefully some by Tyrolean filmmakers.

What role can and does MFC want to play in the "film city" of Innsbruck, in the film region of Tyrol? Where do you want to go?

Venier: On the one hand, we are of course very happy to be a reliable partner and point of contact when it comes to film. We hope to be able to support the city and the province with our network of filmmakers and are working on realizing major film projects in Innsbruck and Tyrol in the future. I am convinced that the network of experts that constantly comes together through Mountain Film City to exchange ideas will have a positive impact on the Tyrolean film landscape.