Filming in Portugal. See the big picture

While it may be impossible for a production to be 100% green, sustainability concerns should be addressed from the moment a project is written.As “Filming in Portugal: See the Big Picture” begins its second season, the podcast brings together two green consultants for an episode on sustainability in film and audiovisual productions.In this season opener, journalist Martin Dale speaks with Dörte Schneider Garcia, president of Repensar – the Portuguese Association of Green Consultants, and Andreia Nunes, producer and co-founder of Wonder Maria Filmes.An episode that explores the industry's contribution to environmental preservation, but also social sustainability and investment in local communities.More information on filming in Portugal and episode transcripts available here.

Despite the challenges of a changing world, independent TV producers are thriving. Susana Gato, executive president of the Portuguese Association of Independent Television Producers (APIT), presents herself as an enthusiast, while pointing out some of the biggest issues faced by the sector: geo-blocking, intellectual property, and artificial intelligence.In terms of the role of women in the industry, Susana has no doubt: there is still a long way to go for gender equality, on and off screen. More information on filming in Portugal and episode transcripts available here.

The path made by the animation industry over the last years is made of a high-speeddevelopment, namely due to a technical evolution that is boosting production in emergingcountries.Marcel Jean, artistic director of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, goes throughthe changes on the formats, the diversity of the audiences, and how animation students arebringing new themes into the spotlight.This episode of “Filming in Portugal: See the big picture” also foresees the next edition ofAnnecy Festival, where Portugal is going to be the featured country.More information on filming in Portugal and episode transcripts available here.

For the last years, much has been said about the impact of film and TV series’ production on local communities. But is it possible to measure this impact? Can it be fruitful for both parties?Filipa Maria Cardoso is the director for communications and digital marketing at Turismo de Portugal, the public entity responsible for managing the Tourism, Cinema and Audiovisual Support Fund together with the Portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA).In this episode of “Filming in Portugal: See the big picture”, Filipa looks at the benefits of hosting film and TV productions for the promotion of the country, its locations, and its culture.More information on filming in Portugal and episode transcripts available here.

Among all the challenges faced by the film and audiovisual sector, a new quest came up over the last years: the urge to make greener productions.Maryllis Gonzalez, line producer based between the UK and Spain, talks about her experience putting sustainability measures in place for the film crew.While Maryllis claims that “my consumer is my crew”, she also shares some of the key issues of the near future: certification, data collection and the fact that digital does not mean green.More information on filming in Portugal and episode transcripts available here.

Although Portugal is on the far edge of Europe, the country has opened doors to film and audiovisual productions from all over the world. Luís Chaby Vaz, film commissioner and president of the Portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA), is the first guest of the podcast “Filming in Portugal. See the big picture”.A conversation about incentives, co-production agreements, and the strategy to position Portugal in “a very competitive environment – the international competition for grabbing big productions.”More information on filming in Portugal and episode transcripts available here.