Austria's Film Scene Holds Its Breath, and Its Ground, After Incentive Cuts
VIENNA—The Austrian film industry is navigating a new reality after significant government funding cuts, but international producers keep calling. While a major domestic incentive was nearly eliminated, a separate program for international projects remains a powerful draw, keeping cameras rolling from Alpine peaks to Viennese streets.
The ÖFI Plus fund, which supported Austrian theatrical films, saw its budget drop from €44.3 million to a symbolic €2.5 million this year. In contrast, the FISA Plus incentive, designed for foreign productions, sustained a smaller cut. Its budget now stands at €55 million, down from €80 million. This program offers a 30% rebate, plus a 5% bonus for sustainable productions.
"The demand hasn't slowed," says Nina-Anica Keidies, film commissioner at Film in Austria. "We have modern studios, exceptional crews, and that funding certainty. It's a combination that still works." Since 2023, FISA Plus has injected €180 million into 193 projects, generating nearly half a billion euros in local spending.
The proof is on screen. Recent shoots include Netflix's German series "Crooks" and the Spanish production "The Map of Longing." Leonine Studios' family franchise film "Bibi Blocksberg" and the Willem Dafoe-starring "The Souffleur" also filmed here, leveraging both incentives and the country's diverse scenery.
Keidies notes that inquiries continue from across Europe and North America. The appeal lies in a compact package: competitive funding, professional infrastructure, and a dramatic range of locations accessible within short distances. From the historic Südbahnhotel to the glass-and-steel architecture of modern Vienna, the country sells versatility.
Six Austrian films are set to premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival this month, showcasing local talent. Yet the industry's eyes are on 2027, hoping for a political solution to revive the gutted domestic fund. For now, Austria remains open for business—a seasoned player adapting to a tighter budget.