News

New governing body set up to oversee and facilitate communication between production companies and authorities

Potsdam / Berlin - After the Senate’s policy priority to bolster Berlin as a film-friendly city in 2023, film location Berlin has set up a new task force as a point of contact at BBFC (Berlin Brandenburg Film Commission). It operates as an intermediary between production companies and the authorities (senate, districts) so that requests for filming permits can now be processed more quickly.

The governing body and Central Road Traffic Authority have swiftly developed an application form that will significantly speed up the approval of filming permits for shooting on the streets, for example when Keanu Reeves hurtles through the city or historical cars clatter through the streets in BABYLON BERLIN. But even when Karoline Herfurth or the KÄNGURU CHRONIKEN want to shoot in a park, it requires authorization, in these cases by the responsible district authorities.

To speed up this process in the future, the governing body and its task force will take on "sponsorships” for individual districts and strive to find solutions which best suit the concerns of both the production companies and the authorities.

On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 11 am, the body will present an overview of its tasks and responsibilities on the BBFC’s digital event series ‘Focus on Filming.’

Florian Graf, Head of the Berlin Senate Chancellery: “When choosing film locations, the administrative efficiency of the authority indeed plays a very large role. That’s why New York has been experiencing such resurgence in the film industry. The implementation of the governing body and the standardization of the application process have been a first for Berlin as a capital of film and a significant milestone that promises the consistent implementation of the Senate’s resolution. Exactly one year after the new state government took office, it’s safe to say we have experienced real success here in improving the filming environment on Berlin’s streets.”

Christiane Krone-Raab, Director of Berlin Brandenburg Film Commission:  "We are so pleased that this new governing body has been able to improve shooting conditions. We are working in partnership with the licensing authorities and the administrators for film locations to not only simplify bureaucratic procedures, but speed them up, too. Berlin will then become even more attractive for German and international film teams.” 

Berlin is the No. 1 film location in the whole of Germany, with the highest number of filming days nationwide. The number of shooting days has increased more than fivefold in the last 20 years. The film industry therefore not only shapes Berlin’s image, but is also vital for Berlin’s economy on account of its large workforce.

Due to the production boom, the complex procedure of granting filming permits has reached its limits. The new governing body aims to quickly and sustainably resolve the permit backlog, especially by the summer, when most filming occurs.

Since last year, four BBFC staff members are already “on it”, working on expediting the permit process.