Written by on May 10, 2012. Posted in On Location

Germany’s Studio Babelsberg looks to the future in centenary year

Studio Babelsberg near Berlin is looking to the future as it celebrates its centenary. Big-budget Hollywood productions Cloud Atlas and Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters helped it to a successful 2011, although the studio faces stiff competition from facilities across Europe.

Babelsberg announced an operating profit of EUR535,000 for 2011, but the studio says it has no big-budget bookings for 2012 and so is less optimistic about this year’s figures.

Dr Carl Woebcken is Chief Executive Officer of Studio Babelsberg: “We offer first-rate production facilities, a world-famous set construction department, internationally experienced film crews and great locations in the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region. Still, business has become tougher and the international incentive schemes have become more competitive.

We are in worldwide competition with countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK, Hungary and Czech Republic, who provide strong incentives particularly aimed at large-scale film productions.

Dr Carl Woebcken, Studio Babelsberg

“We are in worldwide competition with countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK, Hungary and Czech Republic, who provide strong incentives particularly aimed at large-scale film productions. Despite intensive efforts and negotiations, we have lost several large productions to competitors in other countries.”

As a result of its rich history Studio Babelsberg is known throughout the world. New York’s Museum of Modern Art held a special reception and screening event in April to mark the studio’s centenary.