Small in surface area, but full of stories. Including film stories. Slovenia is a destination often called the green heart of Europe. It is safe, accessible, sustainable. Its unique location at the crossroads of four geographical worlds brings together a stunning diversity of landscapes, seasons and breathtaking scenes. Where else in such a small part of the world in just about a single day can you admire the picturesque Alpine peaks, the waves of the Adriatic Sea, the mysterious cave labyrinth of the karst world and the romantic Pannonian plains? All this is Slovenia.
Its beauty has been recognised by many producers and creators of international blockbusters, TV series and advertisements for influential brands. This is no coincidence, as filming on locations in Slovenia brings benefits for both the filmmakers and the tourist destination.
Short travel times between most European destinations by plane, car or train.
Accessible and diverse locations (different geographical and climatic regions are within 90 minutes' drive).
A unique mosaic of pristine, picturesque nature, diverse architectural styles and spectacular historical sites.
Top film crews and production companies (motivated, dedicated and reliable Slovenian audio-visual experts).
Access to filming locations and public spaces, a positive climate and cooperation of local authorities.
Reliable and agile business practices as well as creative and cooperative Slovenian partners.
Financial incentives for all types of audiovisual productions – cash reimbursements.
Visit the Slovenian Film Centre website for more information and to get in touch with Slovenian film production companies and film professionals.
Imagination or originality? When it comes to film scenes, you want both! Allow an idea to become reality with the help of unspoilt filming locations
that, in the real world, go from the mountains to the sea, from the underground to the plains.
In 2024, we are eagerly awaiting the premiere of Netflix's The Union, for which many scenes were filmed in one of the most beautiful towns along the Adriatic coast – in Piran. In the much-anticipated action film, taking the lead roles are Hollywood stars Halle Berry and Matt Damon. Decades ago, the famous Jackie Chan (who performed his characteristic stunts at Predjama Castle) and the former Bond, Pierce Brosnan filmed on location in Slovenia, and the popular Winnetou was filmed in Županova jama Cave near Grosuplje. Let's take a look at some of the other international projects where you can catch scenes from Slovenia.
One of the most anticipated films of summer 2024 is Netflix's thriller, The Union, starring Halle Berry, Mark Wahlberg and J.K. Simmons. The story follows a New Jersey construction worker who, through a twist of fate and a high school crush, finds himself at the centre of an intense espionage mission. The dynamic action leads the stars to the picturesque town of Piran on the Adriatic coast. With its romantic streets, clifftop church and Tartini Square, Piran provides a truly remarkable cinematic backdrop. The film crew shot scenes in Piran and other locations in autumn 2022.
The Witcher has been one of the most popular TV series of all time. Based on the books by Andrzej Sapkowski, it was brought to the screen by Netflix. The protagonist of the novels and the series is Geralt of Rivia, a magically enhanced monster-hunter with supernatural abilities, whom we follow on his adventures in a fictional land. The crew, along with the famous actor Henry Cavill, shot certain scenes for episodes of the third season in Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle, in the surrounding area of Kranjska Gora and at the church of St Jerome on Mt Nanos.
The Amazon spy thriller broadcast in 2023 features famous actors and many spectacular scenes that were filmed around the world. The film crew also stopped in Slovenia. Condé Nast Traveller wrote that filming took place in Slovenia’s highest-lying ski centre, Kanin, which offers scenic views of the Alps and all the way to the Adriatic Sea some one hundred kilometres to the south. Certain scenes were also filmed on the slopes of Mt Stol near Kobarid, a well-known hiking and paragliding destination.
The picturesque Karst natural wonder – the Rakov Škocjan Valley – was one of the filming locations of the high fantasy television series, The Wheel of Time, which features Oscar nominee, Rosamund Pike. In one of the scenes, the characters walk across a natural stone bridge over the Rak River, surrounded by rocks. The film crew was also impressed by the emerald Soča River, as certain scenes were then filmed in the valley of this river.
The Australian actress and multiple Oscar nominee, Naomi Watts, stayed at the Krvavec ski resort for several weeks. Watts was making a film in the snowy environment about a climber caught in a snow blizzard who encounters a stranded stranger. Will they make it down the mountain before nightfall?
Did you know that some of the most stunning scenes from the Disney blockbuster film The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) were recorded on the River Soča? Our emerald beauty served as the backdrop for the epic cinematic battle at the confluence of the River Soča and the Gljun Stream not far from Bovec. In the film directed by Andrew Adamson, the Soča Valley became the fairy-tale Fords of Beruna for just a few minutes on screen, and even a wooden bridge was built for the purposes of filming. It was removed after filming, but this shouldn't keep you from visiting this incredible valley that will inspire you with plenty of possibilities for an active holiday.
Ljubljana made an impression on the South Korean film crew from the popular South Korean TV show Black Knight. As you watch the episodes, you’ll notice Slovenia's most recognisable locations, from the incredible works by the architect Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana to the medieval panoramic vistas over the Alpine Lake Bled and the Mediterranean town centre of Piran.
Many TV commercials for global brands, such as Amazon, Milka, and Bauli, and car brands Mercedes, Ferrari, Porsche, Honda, Škoda, Audi, BMW and Fiat, have been filmed against the unique backdrop of Slovenia's landscapes.
Slovenian filmmakers are also exceptional, enjoying success at home and abroad. Did you know that the animated documentary Babičino seksualno življenje (Granny’s Sexual Life), by director Urška Djukić, won a French film César Award in 2023?
Slovenian film production is presented each year at the Slovenian Film Festival, and other film festivals and events around Slovenia are also extremely popular, attracting foreign visitors and lovers of cinematic art.
Visit the Museum of Slovenian Film Actors in the renovated Škratelj Homestead in Divača. Two famous Slovenian film actresses were born in Divača: Metka Bučar (1903) and the European silent film star Ida Kravanja – Ita Rina (1907). There are two permanent exhibitions. The first is dedicated to the life and work of Ita Rina, and the second is the permanent exhibition of the Museum of Slovenian Film Actors.
MoreVisit the Museum of Slovenian Film Actors in the renovated Škratelj Homestead in Divača. Two famous Slovenian film actresses were born in Divača: Metka Bučar (1903) and the European silent film star Ida Kravanja – Ita Rina (1907). There are two permanent exhibitions. The first is dedicated to the life and work of Ita Rina, and the second is the permanent exhibition of the Museum of Slovenian Film Actors.
MoreNa svoji zemlji (On My Own Land) is the first Slovenian feature film with sound. It represents the beginning of Slovenian professional cinematography. The film depicts the struggle of the partisans and the civilian population of the Primorska region for liberation from the long-lasting Italian occupation. The film, which was first screened in Ljubljana in 1948, was seen by 400,000 viewers in the years following. The interpretive trail Na svoji zemlji links the heritage of the film with the unique Baška grapa, the valley of the Bača River between the Cerkno and Bohinj hills, where most of the scenes were filmed.
MoreDid you know? The Ptuj Municipal Cinema is the oldest operating movie theatre in Slovenia. The first film screening was held there on 3 March 1897, just over a year after the Lumière brothers presented their new invention, the cinematograph, to a Parisian audience.
Photo: Albin Bezjak
The Ljubljana city cinema is housed in the former Ljubljanski dvor cinema, built in 1923. Today it is a popular meeting place for film lovers of all generations, a festival centre, a place for film talks and discussions, a gallery space and much more.
Photo: Kinodvor
The Cinematheque in Miklošičeva cesta in Ljubljana is not only one of the most beautiful cinemas in the country, it is also a meeting place for cinephiles and film experts, a film library and a bookshop. It is also the publisher of the film magazine Ekran and the custodian of the Museum of Slovenian Film Actors in Divača.
Photo: Ana Skobe, Cinematheque
Slovenia is a land of many attractive filming location which can be reached more quickly than those anywhere else due to the short distances involved. It takes just over an hour’s drive from Slovenia’s capital of Ljubljana in any direction to reach a completely different landscape, architectural style, and diverse and unspoilt nature.
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