The White Lotus: Filming according to chaos for film funding canceled!

The White Lotus: Filming according to chaos for film funding canceled!

Wien, Österreich - The renowned HBO series makers have now finally decided not to turn the fourth season of the popular series “The White Lotus” in Austria. After months of considerations and hopes that Vienna can be considered as a location, this idea was put on the basis of financial uncertainties and stagnating film funding. This reports serienjunkies.de .

Vienna was a favorite for filming, since the Vienna Film Commission has been working intensively to lure production to the federal capital since September 2024. "The White Lotus" could have enriched the cultural and economic life of the city as another prestige title. However, the budget uncertainties and the temporarily exposed film support program FISA+ led to the final decision to move the shooting to another location. Marijana Stoisits, the managing director of the Vienna Film Commission, confirmed that Vienna was among the last four candidates in early 2025, but those responsible for production decided on the unclear framework against the location.

The background of the decision

The cancellation is primarily due to the political situation and the blockade of the necessary film support program, the FISA+, which is subject to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. This program offers production companies not repayable grants of 30% of the funding expenses. In the past, the FISA+ program has generated over 347 million euros in added value in the past year and a half. However, with the change of government, the application guidelines are unclear, and therefore it is currently not possible for production companies to make funding applications. Ex-Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler commented and called the situation a "tragedy made in Austria" and emphasized the urgent need to keep Austria competitive as a location for film productions, especially since other large productions such as "The Hunger Games" are also affected.

Stoisits fear a “massive slump” during the shooting in Vienna in the second half of the year, which could have a serious effects for the domestic film industry, which generated over 1.6 billion euros and employed 9,762 employees.

a setback for the film location Austria

The high spirits about the defensive of domestic film production could not only be a short -term setback. The Austrian film funding had received an increase to just under 115 million euros in 2023, which corresponds to an increase of 30.5% compared to the previous year, but plans for the future seem uncertain due to the current situation. Even if the shooting of the new edition of "Commissioner Rex" and the second season of "Crooks" is currently running in the city, the question remains whether Austria will continue to be able to continue to be considered the first -class location for upcoming major productions.

The earlier locations of "The White Lotus" were expected to be true tourist magnets and similar positive effects in Austria after the broadcast. But now the film industry has to reorient itself and find solutions to get the country's attractiveness. Because the situation is clear: If the framework conditions are not improved soon, Austria could continue to fall behind on the world map of film locations. And that would not only be a bitter for the film industry, but for the entire economic and cultural landscape of the country.