A French high-budget production with a crew exceeding 150, featuring a prominent water tank and a robust art department, is reviving Ciudad de la Luz after a long pause. The project, supported by Valencian authorities, marks a recommencement of activity at Alicante studios following the European Commission’s lifting of penalties last year.
The production team established itself at the Alicante cinema complex at the start of May and has been laying groundwork ever since. Principal photography is scheduled to begin next Monday and will run through late July, with shoots planned both on set and around the expansive water tank. The set has been redesigned with a large platform and multiple cabins, and the shooting location has been prepared to accommodate hundreds of additional crew members.
According to Anthony Rodes, CEO of Digital Transformation Projects Community (SPTD), the project anticipates substantial local exposure: roughly 2,600 nights of accommodation and local expenditures close to two million euros. This mutual investment underscores the strength of the initiative and its potential impact on the regional economy.
While officials cannot disclose further details about the European project, it is known that filming will take place across several countries in a multi-phase schedule. Rodes notes that the production team first visited Ciudad de la Luz three months prior, with additional visits following before finalizing the agreement. He emphasizes the importance of the pit area and the expansive sets, noting that there are many extras involved.
The new phase will also bring a maritime-law driven element, as a series led by Luis Tosar and Blanca Portillo, directed by Alberto Ruiz Rojo, commenced shooting in Madrid and is slated to premiere at Ciudad de la Luz next week, illustrating the ongoing vitality of the site.
National and international productions
Since the campaign began, Ciudad de la Luz has welcomed a steady flow of producers from abroad, including a majority of American clients, with several videoconferences held with senior executives in Los Angeles. The result is that two major productions are in advanced negotiations to begin filming on Alicante sets by late 2023, with two more close to deals but delaying decisions due to industry disruptions following the writers’ strike in the United States.
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Alongside these developments, meetings have been held for local projects scheduled to shoot in September. A new eight-month filming slate will utilize portions of the studios, including a project from Spanish producer Gerardo Herrero and a story rooted in a jihad-related environment.
A new impulse
The leadership expresses clear enthusiasm about the revival of filming at Ciudad de la Luz. The Minister for Innovation, Universities, Science and Digital Society acknowledges the return of production as a significant achievement after earlier delays caused by governance issues. The expropriation controversy and subsequent legal resolutions are seen as resolved, paving the way for renewed investment and activity. The current administration emphasizes that hundreds of millions have been invested by Valencians, highlighting the sustained commitment to revitalizing the studios’ economic impact. The optimistic outlook centers on the potential for substantial regional growth and job creation, underscoring the studios as a catalyst for the local film industry.
References to past legislative and administrative actions are acknowledged, but the focus remains on progress and future opportunities. The overarching message is that Ciudad de la Luz stands as a vibrant hub capable of attracting high-profile international projects and generating meaningful economic benefits for the Valencian community and beyond. The collaboration across public and private sectors continues to drive a robust pipeline of productions, reinforcing the studio complex as a key asset in Europe’s screen industries.