Prague Studios is planning a significant expansion at its facility in Prague’s Letňany neighborhood, with an investment of approximately CZK 250 million to convert an existing hall into four new, state-of-the-art film studios. Prague Studios founder Tomáš Krejčí detailed the expansion plans in a recent interview with iRozhlas.cz.
The move comes with increasing demand for studio production on large-scale projects in the Czech Republic; Barrandov Studio, Prague’s other large-scale production facility, is nearly fully booked through the end of the year with work on Amazon Studios’ Blade Runner 2099.
Prague Studios, meanwhile, aims to attract international productions by offering cutting-edge technology, including massive video walls that can digitally recreate any location, reducing the need for costly on-site shoots.
“Each studio will be about 2,500 square meters, equipped with technology that allows cameras to capture actors interacting with a vast array of monitors displaying background visuals,” says Krejčí. “This allows us to create scenes that look like they were filmed anywhere in the world, without needing the crew to travel, which significantly reduces production costs.”
Expanding production capabilities with new technology
The new studios are designed to cater to the demands of high-end television and film production, where virtual sets and computer-generated imagery are increasingly the norm. Krejčí emphasized the need for an integrated approach to production, where technical staff and crew can operate seamlessly.
“It’s essential that all these film and television professions are brought together so they can quickly exchange information and respond spontaneously to what the director or cameraman wants,” Krejčí notes.
“The effect of rising prices for skilled labor is global, not just in America. The U.S. is becoming uncompetitive in this regard because labor is very expensive there. Our chance to attract international productions to the Czech Republic is to offer production services at a lower cost.”
The expansion also aims to provide competitive advantages as production costs in traditional centers like the United States continue to rise. While revenue from film production fell in 2023, the Czech Republic continues to be an attractive destination for Hollywood studios thanks to its competitive production incentives.
New opportunities and partnerships
Prague Studios is already a popular location for international projects, including the recent filming of the Apple TV+ sci-fi series Foundation. The second and third seasons of the series were shot at Prague Studios, and negotiations for a fourth season are currently underway.
The expansion comes at a time when the Czech audiovisual industry is pushing for new legislation to support its growth.
“We are currently in the final stages of negotiating a new audiovisual law, thanks to excellent cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the Czech Film Commission, and the Czech Film Office,” Krejčí adds. “The goal is to set conditions that ensure the competitiveness of the Czech film and television industry for the coming years.”
Construction on the new facilities at Prague Studios is set to begin in March or April of next year, with the goal of having the new studios operational by the following year. The expansion should strengthen Prague’s position as a hub for international film and TV production in Central Europe, alongside the long-established Barrandov Studio.
Once complete, the 20,000 square-meter facility will be able to accommodate larger and more complex projects, adding to the Czech Republic’s reputation as a destination for cost-effective, high-quality film production.
