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Based in a sprawling hangar, a soon-to-be film set for the upcoming daily series "Tout pour la lumière" is under construction. Co-produced by TF1, Newen Studios, and Netflix, the production is scheduled to commence in the autumn of 2023. This site, designated CinéMaBase, was established in the former Vermigli grating company's warehouses, near the Géze metro station. Funded by the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée and the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis, this 5000 square meter space provides crucial logistics support for costume and set design teams, as well as post-production units.
Guillaume Malavoy, the site's director, emphasizes the importance of offering such platforms to encourage the growth of the film industry. Principal filming for "Tout pour la lumière" will take place in La Ciotat and at La Belle de Mai studios in Marseille. The city's appeal to filmmakers position it as the second most popular destination for directors after Paris, where productions such as "Pax Massilia" and "Chien 51" were shot last year. In total, the city can expect close to 1500 days of shooting in 2024, a testament to its iconic locations – from the Panier to L'Estaque, the Vallon des Auffes to the Old Port – and its distinctive light and Mediterranean ambiance.
The recurring series "Plus belle la vie" (PBLV), which began in 2004, has significantly contributed to the local workforce. With the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Channel, the production of content has noticeably increased. According to Delphine Camolli, General Delegate of the Regional Association of Technicians of the Southeast, the membership in the region has tripled since four years ago, with over 700 members in Marseille alone. This surge has prompted Parisian equipment rental companies to set up shop in the Phocean city.
Communist Gaby Charroux, a specialist in the field and vice-president of the Metropolis, acknowledges that the film industry was previously dormant but has found a new lease of life since the inception of PBLV. In 2021, Charroux helped create the Metropolitan Fund for Cinema, Audiovisual, and Multimedia Aid, intended to attract high-potential shoots and secure Marseille's rank among the top 5 European cities for filmmaking. However, an expert notes that the city remains too reliant on Parisian productions.
Marseille's film industry aims to be part of the XXL investment plan launched by Emmanuel Macron in September 2021, encompassing key developments like the creation of the logistics base CinéMabase and the establishment of Cinéfabrique Marseille, a branch of the public and free film school based in Lyon. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean Film City project, intended for the emblematic Docks des Suds, faces setbacks due to disputes between the Marseille City Hall and the South Region (PACA) over costs.
Martigues, 40 kilometers west of Marseille, hosts Provence Studios, one of the largest in Europe. The site, which has played host to productions like "Titane," has ambitious plans for expansion in Marseille, including a proposed studio complex at the former Saint Louis Sucre refinery. This project aims to create four 1000 square meter studios equipped with a morgue and a police station, contingent upon a 16 million euro subsidy for an estimated 60 million euro investment.
The presence of film-related events and festivals in Marseille fosters growth in the local economy through job creation, infrastructure development, and an influx of tourists. As the film industry continues to evolve, Marseille is poised to solidify its position as a prominent player in the entertainment landscape.
The forthcoming series "Tout pour la lumière" will require significant modes of transport to move its production teams and equipment between locations like La Ciotat, Marseille, and CinéMaBase.
To further bolster Marseille's standing as a thriving entertainment hub, the city is exploring the expansion of film studios, such as the proposed studio complex at the former Saint Louis Sucre refinery, which could provide additional movie and TV sets for upcoming productions.
