France: A premier destination for global productions

On the occasion of Cannes Film Festival 2025, Screendaily comes back on the positionning of France as a global production hub—not just for its iconic scenery, but for its unbeatable combination of tax incentives, skilled crews, and top-tier VFX capabilities—and The Yard is proud to play a key role in this evolution.

As all eyes turned  to Cannes and its yearly festival, ScreenDaily published a special feature on how France has rapidly evolved from a picturesque filming backdrop to a world-class hub for international productions. No longer just the land of the Eiffel Tower and romantic strolls along the Seine, France is now a one-stop shop for everything from location shoots and studio builds to cutting-edge VFX and animation work.

From Hollywood blockbusters to independent European films and global streaming content, productions are increasingly choosing France—not only for its competitive Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP), which offers up to 40% reimbursement for VFX work, but also for its rich talent base, diverse landscapes, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and strong government support.

The article highlighted diverse international projects as recent examples such as Chopin, A Sonata In Paris, a Polish period drama shot in Bordeaux for its authentic pre-Haussmann charm, and the second instalment of The Family Plan (Apple TV +), starring Mark Wahlberg, which filmed extensively in Paris’s iconic Montmartre district—with French locations doubling as sets from across the globe.

Beyond its natural landscapes, international producers are increasingly combining on-location shoots with in-studio filming across France. Thanks to cutting-edge studios, top-tier service quality, and world-class talent, “faking it in France” has become a growing trend. Productions can convincingly replicate locations from Hollywood to Baghdad—all within French borders. For example, Heads of State (Amazon MGM Studios) recreated scenes set in seven different countries at Victorine Studios in Nice. Meanwhile, The Amateur, starring Rami Malek and Rachel Brosnahan, used Marseille and its surroundings to double for Romania, Turkey, and even the Baltic Sea.

France has long attracted international productions not only for its diverse locations and world-class crews, but also for its excellence in VFX and animation—demonstrating the country’s ability to support projects seamlessly from shooting through post-production. At The Yard, we’re proud to have contributed VFX services to high-profile productions mentioned as key examples such as Etoile (Prime Video), The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol (AMC), and Emily in Paris (Netflix), helping bring their creative visions to life.

Some collaborations focus exclusively on post-production, and we are equally proud to support VFX-only projects—often as the sole France-based partner—such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 (Prime Video).

Whether working alongside other French vendors or collaborating with top international studios, these projects continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in post-production from France, further reinforcing the country’s reputation as a rising global VFX powerhouse.

As France rolls out additional investments through the France 2030 initiative and expands training for next-gen talent, it’s clear the country is not only keeping pace but leading in redefining what a production hub can be.

We’re thrilled to see France’s global appeal recognized and even more proud to contribute through our work in VFX on these exciting international projects.

Read the full article on ScreenDaily for a deeper dive into the productions and insights shaping the future of filming in France.

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