Penzing Film & TV Studio Opens in Germany

Penzing Studios, a new German film and television studio facility at the former airbase in Penzing, has opened its doors, with plans to invest an additional €100 million ($113 million) in the next three years for expansion.

The first productions are already underway in the refurbished airplane hangars, including a full-scale virtual production stage, with further soundstages set to open in June. The plans are to expand the facility to 12 soundstages with 25,000 square meters of production space and 15,000 square meters of workshop and office spaces.

With a focus on digital and virtual production, the new hub will also house postproduction, visual effects, gaming, digital media, technology companies, educational opportunities, an event center and auditorium, and hospitality infrastructure to create 1,000-plus jobs by 2025.

In partnership with leading global architecture firm Snohetta, Penzing Studios will be the world’s first zero-emission film studio. Based on Snohetta’s concept, all structures added to the existing facilities will use rammed earth and timber to create an attractive and sustainable working environment.

“Supply continues to outstrip demand for studio facilities, and there are transformative shifts underway in the way in which film and television is created,” said Penzing Studios’ managing partner, Jörn Siegele, and producer and partner, Joe Neurauter. “We are at the forefront of these changes and aim to create a sustainable hub in which creative people can thrive and do their best work.”

Bavarian film commissioner Anja Metzger added, “Productions that want to shoot in the region often have to switch to other locations because of a lack of available state-of-the-art and scalable studio facilities. We are thrilled about the launch of Penzing Studios and its forward-thinking approach to the future of production. It allows us to offer incoming productions a compelling package with advanced digital studio facilities, an established crew base, attractive incentives and a desirable shooting destination in the heart of Europe.”