International productions
Preparing a production in France
This English-language starting point helps you use a directory whose main navigation and listings are in French. Find potential suppliers by activity and territory, then confirm the service, availability and working language directly. A registered address does not establish where a crew can work.
Start with the production brief
Share the same information with each prospective partner: project type, intended audience, dates, locations, preparation days, filming days, budget assumptions and delivery requirements. Specify the roles you need and which equipment, transport, accommodation and postproduction services should be included. Name the person who will approve costs and creative decisions.
- Distinguish local production support from responsibility for the entire production.
- State the working languages and any interpretation needs.
- List travel, equipment and location constraints before requesting a quotation.
- Agree on the delivery formats, language versions and accessibility requirements.
Use the appropriate local sources
Film France CNC coordinates a network of film commissions. Its English information on production support explains its role. Contact the relevant commission to discuss locations, local resources and production preparation. Location access, filming permission and supplier availability still need to be confirmed for your project.
Browse French territories · Find a film commission · Explore the national location database
Read a listing before making contact
The directory combines legal registry records, a Brittany sector directory and performing arts licence records. A legal record identifies an entity and its declared principal activity; it does not certify a particular service. Performing arts records do not demonstrate audiovisual distribution services. Each listing states its source and last successful source check. Missing websites or logos are left blank when they cannot be reliably attributed.
The SIREN identifies a legal entity and the SIRET identifies an establishment. Match these identifiers against a supplier’s quotation when relevant. A PME, ETI or GE classification is a business category, not a crew headcount. Confirm the actual people, equipment and subcontractors assigned to your production.
Useful French search terms
| Need | French directory entry point | Confirm directly |
|---|---|---|
| Production support | Production | Responsibilities, budget and coordination |
| Camera and lighting | Image & lumière | Crew, camera package and lighting equipment |
| Location sound and music | Son & musique | Recording, tracks, mix and usage rights |
| Editing and finishing | Postproduction | Workflow, revisions and deliverables |
| Studios and spaces | Lieux & studios | Access, dimensions, acoustics and booking |
| Transport and logistics | Services de tournage | Quantities, schedules and delivery conditions |
Prepare language versions and the handover
Agree on the master language, subtitle languages, spoken versions, on-screen text and final file naming before editing begins. Review translations with a qualified language reviewer and test the actual files in the intended player. Keep a version matrix linking each video to its audio, subtitles and intended use.
French practical guides: write a production brief, plan multilingual versions, prepare deliverables, and understand the dataset.
Before confirming a supplier
- Review relevant work and identify who will carry out the service.
- Confirm all preparation, filming and return dates.
- Compare inclusions, exclusions, travel and cancellation assumptions.
- Agree on permissions, insurance responsibilities and use of the footage.
- Record approvals, delivery requirements and the process for changes.