THE BLOG

The Côte d’Azur Welcomes More and More Filming in 2023

A significant increase in the number of shoots, totaling 551 projects for 1604 shooting days in 2023, representing a 6% increase compared to the previous year.
Impressive direct economic benefits for the Alpes-Maritimes department, with more than 62 million euros generated by the film and audiovisual industry.
The importance of local employment highlighted, with more than 10,200 jobs created thanks to filming activities in the region.
In 2023, Nice hosted nearly 600 shooting days on public property, compared to 328 days in 2022, representing an 82% increase compared to 2022.

Booming Shooting on the Côte d’Azur

The Alpes-Maritimes Côte d’Azur Film Commission has drawn an extremely positive assessment of the year 2023, marked by a flourishing shooting activity. With 551 shoots carried out on its territory, the department experienced a 6% increase in shooting days compared to 2022, reflecting not only the vitality but also the growing attractiveness of the Côte d’Azur as a destination of choice for directors from around the world.

This dynamic is particularly notable in the diversity of formats present in the region: feature films, television series, documentaries, music videos, and more. Among the flagship projects, there are ten feature films and fourteen fictions intended for television and streaming platforms, produced by a range of filmmakers, from emerging talents to established names.

A Significant Economic and Professional Contribution

The economic benefits of these shoots are substantial, amounting to more than 62 million euros for the year 2023. This financial windfall translates into significant hirings of local technicians and artists (10,200 jobs), the rental of sets, and a series of expenses for various services ranging from catering to accommodation.

In 2023, the direct economic benefits are distributed as follows:

Fiction (feature films, short films, and TV and platform fiction): 15M€
Advertisements: 29M€
Flow programs: 12M€
Other formats (documentaries, clips, institutional films…): 5.7M€

The indirect economic benefits (tourist, media…), on the other hand, represent more than 143M€ in 2023.

The role of the Commission is not limited to a financial aspect. It is actively involved in promoting the diversity of sets and local talent, providing essential logistical support to productions thanks to its in-depth knowledge of the territory and its resources.

Nice: An Exceptional 2023 Record

Nice reaffirmed its position of choice for the film and audiovisual industry in 2023, recording an unprecedented activity that underscores its crucial role in the cultural and economic sector.

Explosion in the number of shooting days: The city saw the number of shooting days on public property jump to nearly 600, marking an 82% increase compared to the previous year. This increase is representative of the diversity and richness of the projects hosted, ranging from feature films to television series, documentaries, TV shows, advertisements, short films, corporate films, video clips, and photo shoots.
The Victorine Studios, a pillar of production: With 160 shooting days in 2023, the Victorine Studios played a central role, hosting a varied range of productions. This activity is supported by the studio’s renewal project, which was designated as the winner of the “La Grande Fabrique de l’Image” call for projects as part of the France 2030 plan, highlighting the importance of this place in the French cinematic landscape.
A strong municipal support: The City of Nice, aware of the economic and cultural impact of this industry, has strengthened its policy of cinematographic and audiovisual development. In 2023, it supported four feature films, testifying to its commitment to enhance the territory and promote artistic and cultural expression through cinema.
Training and innovation: Nice’s commitment to the cinematic ecosystem also extends to training and innovation. The Victorine Studios have hosted leading educational institutions, affirming their role in the development of skills and in the training of future film and audiovisual professionals. Furthermore, the Victorine Narrative Lab emphasizes the importance given to the emergence of new talents, offering a mentorship program for film authors.

Nice stands out not only as a favored location for shoots but also as a dynamic center for education, innovation, and support for the film and audiovisual industry, consolidating its status as a cultural capital on the Côte d’Azur.

Prospects and Supports for the Future

Optimism is in order for the coming year, with the anticipation of even richer and more diverse activity, in part thanks to the return of foreign productions. This positive trend is the result of the hard work and commitment of the entire local film and audiovisual industry, supported by the Alpes-Maritimes Côte d’Azur Film Commission, the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Alpes-Maritimes Departmental Council.