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Studios de la Victorine: modernization and resurgence

studiolavictorine-copyrightvilledenice2-1 — Studios de la Victorine (c) Ville de Nice

The Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce (CCI) and Color have secured a 35-year concession for the management of the Victorine Studios.
A €37 million investment has been allocated for the renovation and modernization of the site.
A comprehensive project including production studios, a campus, and office spaces for businesses is set to begin, with construction starting in 2026.

An ambitious project for the studios

The famous Victorine Studios, founded in 1919 and located in Nice, are entering a new era.

On September 1, 2024, Victorine Studios, a company formed through a partnership between the CCI Nice Côte d’Azur and the special effects and post-production company Color, officially took over the management of the site.

This ambitious project is part of a 35-year public service concession, aimed at renovating and modernizing the studios with a budget of €37 million.

The transformation work, scheduled to begin in 2026, aims to revitalize the existing infrastructure while relying on a long-term development strategy. The plan includes the creation of cutting-edge production studios, offices for industry companies, and workshops for on-site set and accessory fabrication. This initiative follows the success of the Victorine Studios in the 2023 call for projects “La grande fabrique de l’image,” part of the France 2030 plan.

In addition to the production facilities, a campus will be developed to host training and research programs. This educational space will serve as a hub for collaboration and synergy between audiovisual professionals and students from local schools like ISART, e-art Sup’, and ESRA. The goal is to create a comprehensive ecosystem where production, education, and innovation come together to enhance the studios’ international appeal.

Modernization and competitiveness

Beyond the physical renovation of the studios, the Victorine Studios project aspires to position itself as a key player in the European film industry.

The new technological equipment and innovative production methods aim to boost the site’s competitiveness against major European studios.

David Danesi, president of Color, emphasized that the site will be optimized for more responsive local production, reducing delays and maximizing creative process efficiency.

Moreover, the project places a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Victorine Studios intends to lower its carbon footprint by adopting environmentally responsible production practices. This approach aligns with a growing trend in the film industry, which seeks to minimize the ecological impact of film shoots and promote sustainable manufacturing practices.

The work, which will span several years, will not disrupt the ongoing activities of the studios. In 2023, the site hosted around 100 productions, totaling 160 days of shooting. The goal is to maintain this level of activity while the modernization phases are carried out.

Once completed, the project is expected to attract about 60 companies from the film industry, further solidifying Victorine Studios as a major industrial and creative hub on the French Riviera.