Vienna, with its unique blend of imperial chic and modern metropolis, has established itself as one of the most versatile and attractive destinations for the film industry. The Austrian capital not only offers a wide variety of landscapes and architecture but also boasts a robust support system to make the filming process smooth and successful.

The Vienna Film Commission has become a key ally for international productions seeking to harness the many virtues of this extraordinary city. Below, we highlight the main advantages that make Vienna a prime destination for audiovisual productions.

A city of infinite scenic diversity

Vienna is a treasure trove of cultural and architectural wealth, making it the perfect setting for all kinds of cinematic genres. Its urban landscape combines majestic historical buildings with modern structures, providing a unique mix that few places in the world can match. Productions can take advantage of ancient palaces, imperial residences from the 18th and 19th centuries, churches, theatres, art galleries, cobbled streets, and unique cafés. Every corner of the city has something special that can be adapted to any script.

Adding to this is the architectural variety, which includes both historic and contemporary buildings, making the city highly flexible for any kind of setting. For instance, the Ringstraße, a grand boulevard dating back to the 19th century, is home to some of the city’s most monumental buildings, such as the Vienna State Opera, a key location in “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”. Other landmarks, such as the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, are also frequently used filming locations.

Moreover, nature is present in every corner of the city. Vienna boasts numerous parks and historical gardens, while being surrounded by the River Danube and its green spaces, including Danube Island, forests, meadows, ponds, and vineyards covering the local mountains. These natural settings further expand the city’s filming possibilities.

Modernity in the service of cinema

Despite its rich historical heritage, Vienna has also modernised to meet the demands of contemporary productions. A prime example is the high-rise district that has sprung up along the Danube, home to the DC Tower, one of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe, and featured in Netflix’s “Extraction II”. This area combines modern high-rises with natural surroundings and is directly linked to the waterfront, offering an exceptional location for films requiring urban, contemporary scenes.

Another standout feature is the use of iconic infrastructure such as the Reichsbrücke, one of the five bridges crossing the Danube, which has repeatedly served as a location in international commercials and films.

Full support for productions

One of Vienna’s key assets is its film commission, the Vienna Film Commission, which provides comprehensive support to audiovisual productions. The commission not only facilitates filming permits within the city but also offers advice in finding local partners and scouting locations. It manages an extensive location database and an industry database that connects producers with local film professionals.

The city also offers an attractive financial incentive scheme. The Vienna Film Incentive provides a 30% subsidy on production expenses incurred in Vienna, provided that the city is part of the plot. On a national level, the FISAplus programme offers an additional 30% rebate on eligible production costs across Austria, with a further 5% bonus if the production meets sustainability criteria. These two programmes can be combined, making Vienna financially appealing for productions.

World-class infrastructure

Vienna has strengthened its infrastructure to host large international productions. Just 15 minutes from the airport and the city centre, you will find the hq7 film studios, which feature two state-of-the-art sound stages of 2000 m² and 1000 m², along with a variety of multipurpose spaces, offices, workshops, and storage areas to offer maximum flexibility for any filming needs.

The city is also highly accessible, thanks to its international airport and central train station, which provides connections throughout Europe, facilitating the logistics of any production coming from abroad.

An international film destination

Vienna has been the backdrop for numerous high-profile international productions, such as HBO’s “The Regime”, Netflix’s “Extraction II”, Amazon Prime’s “Jack Ryan”, and Paramount Pictures’ “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”, among many others. These productions have not only highlighted Vienna’s versatility as a location but have also demonstrated the city’s ability to handle major projects, thanks to the experience of its local crews and the hospitality of its industry.

In summary, Vienna has it all: history, modernity, nature, financial incentives, world-class infrastructure, and highly skilled professionals. For any audiovisual production looking for a versatile and efficient destination, Vienna is undoubtedly one of the best options on the global stage.