Whether in the south, east or west – making films, series and spots on the Balearic Islands is in, and owning a house close to the location of a box-office success or the home of a famous actor can also be a winner.
by Stefanie Claudia Müller
In 2019 Mallorca was the location for around 300 productions from simple photo shoots, advertising spots and short film productions, to complete television series such as the BBC crime thriller “The Mallorca Files”. “The Night Manager”, based on the 1993 novel of the same name by John le Carré, was also made in Mallorca. The author himself loves the island which is the ideal place for his protagonists:
“In the northern foothills we found paradise for a rich man like Richard Roper.”
He is referring to the Sa Fortaleza fortress near Pollença, one of the most expensive properties in Spain. Other locations on Mallorca used for this successful film were Cala Deià, Port de Sóller, the Formentor peninsula and the bay of Pollença.
Bay of Pollensa
The centre of Palma, of course, also regularly appears in films, for example, the Palau March, the Plaça Drassana, the Passeig Mallorca or the church of Santa Eulalia. It is, however, not only foreign film companies who are attracted to the island – the Spanish director Benito Zambrano is expected this year to film his adaptation of the novel “The Island of Lemon Blossoms”. The main scenes will take place in Valldemossa, also a popular excursion destination on the island and home to many stars including the Douglas acting clan.
Valldemosa
Who wouldn’t want to buy a house or apartment where a popular series or a box office hit was filmed or, even better, where a film star has a home – because not only is this interesting in itself but could also pay off in the case of a possible sale. Even though residential property transactions in the Balearic Islands in 2019 will have fallen by 10.9% in comparison with the previous year the figures from the INE show that prices are still rising in individual cases, a fact also shown in a new study by Porta Mallorquina.
This is due to the fact that the island’s popularity is still unmatched, although the clientele is becoming increasingly more selective. The very high level of purchasing and the associated tourism on the island is also declining somewhat because of the already-increased price levels, but the island government has also spoiled the fun for the younger generation and groups by imposing strict regulations in places such as Playa de Palma/Ballermann or Magaluf. German low-cost tourism is shifting to other places, including Croatia and Turkey, while Mallorca is becoming more and more of a permanent destination for holiday-home owners and increasingly more active entrepreneurs.
Mallorca offers fantastic locations and ample light
The growing exclusivity of the Balearic Islands has not only benefited the nature of the island, but also its economy.
“The islands are absolutely in fashion with production companies, and 2019 was a record year”
says Pedro Barbadillo, who heads the Mallorca Film Commission and who has contributed to the current period of success of the island with his years-long commitment to simplifying the issue of filming permits. Almost daily inquiries are received from the industry mostly for Spanish, German and British productions. In 2019, film crews from Ireland, Sweden, Mexico, the USA, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Switzerland and Japan were also working on the islands. For the holiday home owner, this development is a further positive factor when renting or for a possible sale. The logic is simple: A location where a production company has had a hit with a film must be beautiful. Another advantage: millions have already seen the location, giving it also a high recognition factor. Moreover, production companies are always looking for houses or apartments where they can film, and they usually pay several thousand euros per working day which means, even more, can be earned from them.
“But they do, however, also turn the house completely upside down,”
knows Spanish TV composer Manuel Villalta from his own experience.
There are also ever more events connected with the industry. In October, for example, the “Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival” (EMIFF) will take place for the 9th time. Sandra Lipski, the organizer, commutes professionally and privately between the island and Los Angeles where the actress has her home:
“In the last 3 years, 2 feature films and over 10 short films have been made on the island due to people who met at the EMIFF. “With our international network we generate global attention and let film makers all over the world know that you can find everything in Mallorca including technology, studios, and crew as well as the perfect location”
, says the native Mallorcan who holds a German passport. With over 300 days of sunshine a year and very good flight connections to the most important European capitals, Mallorca has developed into one of Spain’s most popular film locations in recent years.
Tramuntana, Banyalbufar, Portitxol and Port Adriana are the most popular locations
Those who are not sure where they want to film, or need help with production, can request advice from the Mallorca Film Commission of the Island Council.
“It offers its support for productions and also explains how the 20% tax advantage can be used when filming”
, says Lipski.
One of the best-known local production companies is Palma Pictures which also functions as an intermediary. They report that in 2018 a 14 percent increase in turnover was achieved and that in 2019 they continued to grow despite the approaching economic crisis in Europe. Most of the productions on the Mediterranean island are shot in the mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana or in the small villages in the interior of Mallorca and, of course, in its numerous small bays. The popular series ‘A Summer in Mallorca’ was mainly shot near Banyabulfar, south-east of the Serra de Tramuntana.
Cala Ratjada – Source: Shutterstock_534615091
Palma Pictures believes that the island is particularly popular as a film location because of its many different scenic facets, presenting everything from desert scenery to mountains. Its mixture of tradition and creative innovation is also unique.
During the 1950’s American Hollywood stars including John Wayne and Audrey Hepburn discovered the island as the perfect refuge from paparazzi. They were followed by European celebrities such as Til Schweiger and Veronica Ferres. Singers including Peter Maffay now have many projects on the island and spend more and more time there as a certain amount of seclusion is still possible.
The region with the highest celebrity concentration in Mallorca is certainly the south-west, and only the popular German actor Uwe Ochsenknecht has settled on the other side of the island, in the picturesque village of Santanyi where he also runs a bar together with a friend.