Funds in the amount of EUR 2.5 million were provided by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Culture. Such projects are a good tourist promotion of Slovenia and a reference for Slovenia as a destination for filming and film tourism.

Minister Matjaž Han pointed out: “A good film production by well-known global media outlets such as Netflix can significantly contribute to the global promotion of a country. In addition, film production has a multiplier effect on the domestic economy and tourism. It can also contribute to the development of less developed regions, creating employment opportunities and developing new competences in various fields. At the same time, high-quality international film projects promote film tourism in Slovenia. That is why the Ministry supported the project with EUR 1 million, as we believe that it has synergic effects with other investments in the international tourism and economic promotion of the country.”

Minister Asta Vrečko pointed out during the visit: “The filming of the largest film project in Slovenia to date is also an important event for the Slovenian film industry. Such an extensive project includes Slovenian coproduction teams and many Slovenian film workers who work with colleagues from various countries, as such large productions are always international. This means an extraordinary transfer of knowledge and connections, and a wealth of experience. At the Ministry of Culture, we want even more possibilities for cooperation and improvements in this field, which we also discussed during the visit. To promote various connections that are broader than the field of film itself, as they extend to the field of economy and tourism, the Government has allocated funds in the amount of EUR 2.5 million to this project of co-financing foreign production.”

The Director of the Slovenian Film Centre, Nataša Bučar, said during the visit: “The fact that the producers of such a large-scale film project decided to film in our country is a confirmation that Slovenia has excellent filming locations, experienced film workers and all the required infrastructure to service even the largest film productions in the world. I am glad that the Government has supported our efforts to attract foreign investments in the field of film and thus recognised the extraordinary, not only cultural but also economic importance of the audio-visual sector.”

Ministers Han and Vrečko and the Director of the Slovenian Film Centre visited the main filming unit in Piran and met with director Julian Farino, executive producer Jennifer Madeloff and film crew members.

Seventeen filming days are planned in various locations in Slovenia, the majority of the filming takes place in Piran. Over 340 Slovenian workers participate in the preparation and implementation of the project, which is more than half of the entire crew. Slovenian colleagues are present in all departments (organisation, production, scenography, technical team, assistants in costume design and film masks, image and sound sector, etc.). Many “apprentices” are engaged in various departments of the film, and hundreds of extras are also involved. The expected number of all participating Slovenian and foreign film workers is 650, and the number rises to 1,500 with actors and extras.

The production foresees 30,000 overnight stays in hotels and other accommodation facilities during the preparation and filming throughout Slovenia. The total estimated expenditure of funds for preparation and filming in Slovenia is approx. EUR 10 million.

The systematic strengthening of the audiovisual ecosystem and the planned attraction of audiovisual projects can stimulate the creation of new jobs both in the audiovisual sector and in tourism. At the same time, they can contribute to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and economically less developed areas. Above all, they are important for the global promotion of Slovenia in terms of tourism and investments and contribute to the internationalisation of the Slovenian economy. The audiovisual industry primarily creates works that have significant cultural value and represent the cultural heritage of modern times.

In Slovenia, film production is systematically supported by the Slovenian Film Centre, which also promotes Slovenia as a film location and, in accordance with the law, implements a monetary reimbursement measure corresponding to the value of 25 percent of eligible costs directly spent on the production of films and audiovisual works in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia.