Portugal’s Monsanto Village in Beira Baixa stood in for the ancestral home of House Targaryen in 2022’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Adobe Stock It’s not just about the money when it comes to building a film and TV production hub, and Portugal knows it. That was one of the key messages of a panel of local representatives who discussed “Portugal on Screen: A High-Growth Market for Streamers & Global Content Players” during a session at the inaugural StreamTV Europe in Lisbon, which drew a crowd.
Ana Marques, executive director of the Portugal Film Commission, highlighted the appealing mix of locations, financial incentives and a focus on sustainability as key to making the country attractive for both local and foreign productions. Among the popular fare made in Portugal, she mentioned local Netflix hit drama Turn of the Tide, which has seen three seasons, House of the Dragon, which has featured the historic village of Monsanto as a location, Star Wars series The Acolyte, which was shot on the Portuguese island of Madeira, movie Heart of Stone, and Netflix’s Damsel.
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Creating in concert with foreign partners is another key part of the puzzle. “We love to co-produce,” Susana Gato, executive president of APIT, the Association of Independent Television Producers, explained. A case in point that she pointed to is Cold Haven, a co-production with Iceland. The psychological thriller series, whose Portuguese title is Refúgio do Medo, was produced by SPi in Portugal and Glassriver in Iceland.
Technology is also part of Portugal’s focus in ensuring it is an appealing and successful production hub in the age of digital media and AI. Gil Azevedo, executive director of the Unicorn Factory Lisboa, an initiative launched by Lisbon’s mayor to turn the city into a leading innovation hub. “It’s been about gaining scale, and Technology is also part of Portugal’s focus in ensuring it is an appealing and successful production hub in the age of digital media and AI. Gil Azevedo, executive director of the Unicorn Factory Lisboa, an initiative launched by Lisbon’s mayor to turn the city into a leading innovation hub. “It’s been about gaining scale, and [we see] AI as a lever to move faster,” he said. “It’s about democratizing access, and we have great technology companies in Portugal.”
Marques said at times, as in many countries, Portugal could be even more agile, but her team continues to work with the government and other key partners and stakeholders to continue fine-tuning the country’s appeal for homegrown and international productions.
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