With one-of-a-kind backdrops, rich cultural immersion and, of course, attractive tax incentives, filming internationally is an increasingly attractive go-to for directors everywhere. And if you need evidence, just look at these productions making noise this awards season: Dune: Part Two, The Substance, Nosferatu, The Brutalist, and GreenSlate client project A Real Pain were all filmed abroad.

Considering the top filming hubs by production spend in 2024 according to ProdPro’s 2025 TV & Film Outlook Report, the United States unsurprisingly still leads the way with $14.5 billion, but that is down -26% from 2022. Following the US is the UK at $5.91 billion, Canada at $5.4 billion, Australia and New Zealand (sorry for grouping you together, we know you hate that) at $2.04 billion, and Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic at $1.0 billion. 

While illustrative, these total production spends don’t tell the full story of growth in film production, or attempted boosting of film production growth. 

Productions are increasingly going overseas, which is illustrated in the ProdPro report by a survey of executives regarding their preferred locations for 2025-26. The top trend? The top five choices were all outside of the US, including 1) Toronto, 2) UK, 3) Vancouver, 4) Central Europe, and 5) Australia. 

Here are five countries that are actively attracting filmmakers and experiencing significant growth in film production, thanks to their unique advantages and support for the industry.

Italy

Hoping to boost film productions, Italy is incentivizing Hollywood to tell more Italian stories. Recent regulations established a limit of €18 million ($19.7 million) for tax credits on international co-productions where at least 30 percent of the production takes place in Italy, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter (THR) last August. Domestic productions are capped at €9 million ($10 million).

Luca Guadagnino’s Queer and Oscars Best Picture nominee Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, were notably shot in the country, with the former relying heavily on hazy, illustrative backdrops built on Rome’s famed Cinecittà soundstages. 

A scene from Conclave filmed at Cinecittà Studios, Italy.

International producers who are willing to showcase and embrace local Italian talent can greatly benefit from the country's generous 40% tax credit on all production costs. Using foreign talent? The credit lowers to 30%. 

Proponents of the credit include Marco Valerio Pugini, president of APE (Association of Italian Executive Producers – Production Service Companies). “It has allowed our entire infrastructure to grow and broaden its horizons,” he tells Variety. “If this system remains in place, I’m sure we’ll see more of both international productions and Italian content.”

If all goes well, the country could see a projected revenue increase of $1.12 billion in this year alone, growing at an annual rate of 4.17%. 

Czech Republic

What do Academy Award winner All Quiet on the Western Front, Lionsgate's upcoming John Wick spinoff Ballerina and last year’s Christmas box office hit Nosferatu have in common? 

They shot in the Czech Republic, a country that is seeing a considerable boost in its production incentives. 

The interior courtyard scenes were shot at Pernstejn Castle, Czech Republic. (Wikimedia)

Said incentives increased from 20% to 25% for live-action projects in the new year, thanks to an amendment to the Czech Audiovisual Fund. Additional perks include “an incentive of 35% for digital production and animation, excluding live-action sequences.” The maximum amount of incentives is now tripled, at $19 million per project.

All incentives are expected to take full effect by 2026, including a new financing model.  

You can find a more about the Czech production incentives here. 

Even Robert Egger’s own son is a fan of the alluring blockbuster haven, describing Prague as “a magical city.”

Hungary

The second-largest production hub in Europe, trailing closely behind London, Hungary recently extended its 30% tax incentive for another six years.

The country has attracted $910 million in direct annual production spending, marking a four times increase in the last five years, according to Variety. Government commissioner for the development of the Hungarian film industry, Csaba Kael says, “It’s incredible that approximately 100 international motion pictures are made with us each year – from the biggest Hollywood studios’ breathtaking feature films and miniseries to indies, intimate dramas and innovative commercials.”

However, financial perks aren’t the only thing luring in foreign productions. 

Its historic architecture and cost-effectiveness have made it a popular choice for low-budget films, like the Oscar contender The Brutalist. The epic chronicle was shot in only 33 days with a notoriously “teeny-tiny” budget of $10 million. 

Speaking with Elle Decor, the film’s production designer Judy Becker asserts, “You get a lot more for your money in Eastern Europe. It’s the only place the movie could have been done.”

France

Filming in France is more about vibes, rather than tax incentives — though they aren’t terrible, though not as competitive as neighboring European film hotspots. 

The country can easily become what you make of it, whether you’re looking to recreate bustling Mexico City or evoke an alternative sparkling Los Angeles limelight. This is largely thanks to dedicated French crews who seem to deeply care about the productions they're working on and manage to get a lot done with less. 

The Substance director Coralie Fargeat, nominated for an Academy Award for her work, opted to film in French studios to evoke Hollywood through an alternative lens. The production also boasted predominantly French crew, including special makeup effects supervisor Pierre-Olivier Persin. 

Need to transport audiences to dystopian wastelands or an enchanted forest? 

Look no further than France’s growing visual effects (VFX) sector that has gained the trust of large studio productions, including Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. “Plenty of other countries have financial incentives,” independent VFX producer and supervisor Justine Paynat-Sautivet tells Variety. “But we’re getting repeat customers because we’ve built relationships of trust. Whenever a client returns, they’re not just looking for a tax rebate — they’re looking for French expertise.”

Canada

Looking to the Great White North there’s a plethora of different sceneries for an affordable price tag. 

You can receive credits up to 28% under the British Columbia production services tax credit. These credits are available to both foreign and domestic producers. 

To benefit from favorable incentives, a production needs to have a certain percentage of local crew on payroll. Many Canadian-based productions often employ a Canadian star or producer. 

GreenSlate client project Severance, Season 2 filmed scenes in the small remote town of Bonavista, filming alongside local crew. “I think we have a fantastic crew here in Newfoundland …the crew's experience is very diverse," local costume designer recounts to CBC News. "So for us to be able to work with a New York crew is really fantastic, to show that we do have the experience here."

You may also be able to get certain benefits from filming in specific qualified locations, like a regional skating rink that’s appeared in numerous Hallmark films.

Here are some important things you should know about shooting overseas, along with some anecdotes and advice from producer Ron Cohen for filming internationally.

➡️ Considering heading overseas for your next production? GreenSlate has the multi-currency functionality you need. See how it works here.

Want to keep it local right here in the good old US of A? Outside of the obvious big markets in California and Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oregon have plenty on offer. And if you’re curious as to which states have the best tax incentive opportunity for your production, check out this article.