SLOVAKIA
Slovakia, nestled in the heart of Europe, offers a rich tapestry of filming locations that are both visually stunning and steeped in history. The country’s diverse terrain ranges from the majestic High Tatras, with their snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows, to the lowlands of the Danube Basin. These landscapes offer ideal settings for a wide range of film genres, from high-stakes adventure and fantasy epics to intimate nature documentaries.
Historically, Slovakia is a treasure trove. Its many castles, such as the imposing Spiš Castle and the picturesque Bojnice Castle, are among the most well-preserved in Europe. These sites provide authentic settings for period dramas and historical documentaries, capturing the essence of centuries past. Additionally, the country’s numerous medieval towns, with their cobblestone streets and Gothic architecture, are perfect for historical narratives and can easily transport audiences to a different era.
Urban Slovakia, particularly the capital city of Bratislava, offers a contrasting backdrop. Here, the old meets the new, with modern structures standing alongside Baroque palaces and Art Nouveau buildings. This juxtaposition of architectural styles makes Slovak cities versatile locations, capable of representing various European locales across different time periods.
The Slovak film industry is known for its skilled professionals and state-of-the-art facilities, making it a practical choice for international productions. The local talent, from experienced directors and technicians to multilingual actors, contributes to a productive and creative filming environment. Additionally, Slovakia’s favorable geographic location in Central Europe, with easy access to neighboring countries, enhances its appeal as a versatile and convenient filming destination.
In essence, Slovakia’s combination of natural beauty, historical richness, architectural diversity, and a supportive film industry make it an ideal locale for filmmakers seeking a unique, picturesque, and adaptable European setting.
The capital city is a blend of old and new. The Bratislava Castle, overlooking the Danube, offers panoramic views and historical settings. The Old Town, with its narrow streets and squares, is perfect for period pieces, while the modern skyline provides a backdrop for contemporary stories.
Slovakia is rich in castles. Besides Spiš Castle, one of Europe’s largest medieval castles, there’s Bojnice Castle, a romantic, fairy-tale location. Čachtice Castle, linked to the legend of Countess Elizabeth Báthory, offers a mysterious, Gothic setting.
Towns like Banská Štiavnica and Bardejov showcase well-preserved medieval architecture. Their historic centers, with cobblestone streets and ancient buildings, are ideal for historical dramas.
The High Tatras offer dramatic mountain scenery, while Slovak Paradise National Park features unique natural formations like canyons and waterfalls, great for adventure narratives.
Wooden churches of the Slovak part of the Carpathian Mountain Area, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, provide unique settings for historical and cultural films.
The Slovak countryside, with its traditional villages and pastoral landscapes, offers authentic settings for stories set in rural Europe.
Regions like Tokaj are not only scenic but also culturally significant, providing a lush backdrop for stories that revolve around vineyards and rural life.
There is a variety of sound stages in Romania, mostly located in Bucharest and vicinity, encompassing sizes from 400 sqm, up to 3500 sqm Stage 5 in Castel Film Studios, Stage 12A+B (3500) in Buftea Studiosand 4200 sqm – the King’s Hangar in Frame Fillm Studios, the largest sound stage in Eastern Europe. Several watertanks are also available, including an 800 sqm /5.5m deep in Stage 9 in Buftea Studios
- Cameras: A wide range of camera options, including the latest in digital and film technology, are available to accommodate different production scales and preferences.
- Lighting and Grip: Slovak rental services offer an extensive selection of lighting and grip equipment, suitable for diverse shooting conditions and creative demands.
- Sound Equipment: High-quality sound recording gear is readily accessible, ensuring clear and professional audio capture for productions.
- Post-Production Facilities: Slovakia boasts several advanced post-production houses, providing services like editing, color grading, and VFX.
- Specialized Equipment: For specific needs like aerial photography or underwater shooting, specialized equipment like drones and underwater cameras are available through specialized rental services.
- Spring (March to May): This period is marked by gradually warming temperatures and blooming landscapes, providing a fresh and vibrant backdrop for filming.
- Summer (June to August): Slovak summers are typically warm, with long daylight hours, ideal for outdoor shooting schedules.
- Autumn (September to November): The fall season brings cooler temperatures and a palette of rich, earthy colors to the forests and vineyards, creating visually stunning scenes.
- Winter (December to February): Winters can be cold and snowy, especially in the mountainous regions, offering picturesque settings for winter-themed narratives.
Slovakia offers convenient travel options for film crews, with Bratislava’s international airport connecting to major cities worldwide. The country’s central European location facilitates easy access from neighboring countries by road or rail. For non-EU film crews, Slovakia, as a Schengen Area member, requires a Schengen visa for entry. The visa application process is standardized, and local production companies or the Slovak Film Commission can assist with the necessary documentation. It’s important to check the latest visa regulations and seek professional advice to ensure compliance and a smooth travel experience for international film productions.
- Rebate Percentage: Slovakia offers a 33% cash rebate on qualifying production expenses.
- Qualifying Expenses: Eligible costs typically include spending on local labor, services, rentals, and other production-related activities within Slovakia.
- Cultural Test: Similar to other European countries, Slovakia may require a cultural test to ensure the production contributes to the promotion of Slovak or European culture.
Minimum Spend Requirements: There are specific minimum spending thresholds to qualify for the incentives, which differ based on the type of production, such as feature films, documentaries, or TV productions
€100,000 ($100,000) for individual feature film; €50,000 ($50,000) for documentary or animation spent in the Slovak Republic over a period of 3 years, after project registration.
€300,000 ($300,000) for television series of max. 26 episodes spent in the Slovak Republic over a period of 3 years, after project registration. - Application Process: Productions need to apply for the incentives before beginning their shoot in Slovakia. This process includes the submission of detailed budgets, scripts, and project plans. After registration of the project the producer shall receive a certificate. The eligibility period of expenses (3 years) starts after the issue date of the certificate (which shall be delivered to the applicant company within 30 days after the project registration). The eligibility period of expenses (3 years) starts upon the issuance of the certificate. For the expected sum of the cash rebate to be included in the Slovak Audiovisual Fund budget for the following budgetary year, the project has to be registered before August 1st of the current year.
- Payment of Rebate: The rebate is typically disbursed after the completion of the production The applicant needs to conduct an independent audit demonstrating the eligible costs incurred, and includes co-production or service agreements, and other documents. The Audiovisual Fund shall check the completeness of the cash rebate application within 30 days from its submission. If everything checks out, the Fund will provide a draft of the cash rebate contract. Otherwise, the Fund will request additional documentation or information and give an additional 30 days for the completion of the application. The cash rebate will be issued after the additional documentation and information has been received.
About
Frame Film
FRAME FILM is a production company and studio facility founded by producers Andrei Boncea and director Dragos Buliga joined by producers Gabriel Popescu, our British partner, producer Christopher Milburn and our French partner, media executive Jean Christophe Lestra. FRAME FILM joined slovak film producer and local entrepreneur Rasto Kuril to create FRAME FILM SK.
FRAME FILM and the founders Andrei Boncea and Dragoș Buliga created and produced the most succesful romanian tv series of all time, LAS FIERBINTI, still going on strong after 22 seasons. The team credits includes romanian adaptations of british comedy series THE WORST WEEK OF MY LIFE and spanish comedy series LOS HOMBRE DE PACO. Recently, three new comedy series , ATLETICO TEXTILA, OUR FOLKS, TRIPLU SEC were produced by the team. Dragos Buliga directed also the pilot for the new series created by Nae Caranfil, SATURDAY NIGHT YEARS. He made his big debut in international cinema with the fantasy thriller The WANDERERS, starring Armand Assante, Lior Ashkenazi and Branko Djuric.
Andrei Boncea credits as a producer includes Academy Award nominated JOYEUX NOEL, directed by Christian Carion and Un Certain Regard Cannes winner CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’, directed by Christian Nemescu, AMEN, directed by Costa Gavras, CALLAS FOREVER, directed by Franco Zefirelli.
Chris Milburn has produced over twenty-five feature films, working internationally across the UK, Eastern Europe, the United States and Asia, including “An American Haunting” which was Chris’s first production in Romania which he produced alongside Andrei Boncea in 2004. The film , directed by Courtney Solomon, starred Donald Sutherland and Sissy Spacek and had success in both the US and international markets.
Gabi Popescu credits includes projects like The Protege, directed by Martin Campbell, starring Samuel Jackson and Michael Keaton. and Bunraki, directed by Guy Moshe, starring Josh Harnett, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson.
Rasto Kuril credits includes the production management of major international production shot in Slovakia, such as VAN HELSING, DRACULA, HANNA, RED SPARROW. production reel https://vimeo.com/685272555/687e9c2a94
As a production service, FRAME FILM worked for also for numerous international commercial productions with clients such as Viacom Hungary (Comedy Club), Henry France (Winamax, Coyote), Pool Films Switzerland (Swiss Tourism), Henry de Czar (NN Insurance), Handsome Paris (Manor), The Sweetshop Films UK (Three Mobile).
Recently our company completed the production service for supernatural thriller DAMPYR, produced by Eagle Pictures, directed by Riccardo Chemello, starring Wade Briggs, Frida Gustavsson and Stuart Martin and for the action HE PROTEJE, produced by Millenium Films, starring Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Maggie Q., directed by Martin Campbell.
Recently our company completed the production for DJANGO – The Series, produced by Cattleya Italy (Ricardo Tozzi,) and Atlantique Productions France (Olivier Bibas), for STUDIOCANAL/ Sky Originals, directed by Francesca Comencini, starring Matthias Schoenaerts Our sloval unit. Frame Film SK competed the production of THE PERFORMANCE, directed by Shira Piven, starring Jeremy Piven and Robert Carlyle, and THE STRANGERS Trilogy, directed by Renny Harlin, starring Madelaine Petsch and Gabe Basso.