Solstein Film & Production Services
Before we begin, could you please introduce Solstein Film & Production Services in 3–4 sentences? We'd love for our readers to learn more about your company, the services you provide, and what makes your approach unique within the film industry.
Solstein Film & Production Services is an Austrian production accounting and film business management company based in Innsbruck, Tyrol. We support film, television and streaming productions with production accounting, payroll, bookkeeping, funding settlements, controlling and production services from early budgeting through final reporting. Our clients include both Austrian and international producers who value transparent financial management, reliable payroll and hands-on support throughout the production process. We believe that solid financial structures create the foundation for creative filmmaking.
1. Solstein is active in production accounting, payroll, bookkeeping, funding settlements, and production services. Based on your experience, what are the biggest financial and operational challenges producers face today?
One of the biggest challenges today is uncertainty. Production costs have increased significantly in recent years, while financing has become more difficult and broadcasters and streamers are investing more selectively.
This makes accurate budgeting, continuous cost control and reliable cash flow planning more important than ever. At the same time, productions have to comply with increasingly complex labour regulations, funding requirements and sustainability standards. Financial management is therefore no longer just about bookkeeping after the shoot, but about supporting informed decisions throughout the entire production process.
2. Austria has become an increasingly attractive destination for international productions. What makes Austria and particularly Tyrol a compelling choice for filmmakers from around the world?
Austria combines highly experienced film crews, excellent technical infrastructure and an attractive funding environment with extraordinary filming locations. Within a relatively small geographical area, productions can access alpine landscapes, historic cities, modern architecture and rural settings.
Tyrol in particular offers spectacular mountain scenery while maintaining short travel distances and efficient logistics. International productions also benefit from experienced local service providers who understand both Austrian regulations and the expectations of international producers.
3. What financial incentives are currently available for domestic and international film, television, and streaming productions in Austria? What percentage of eligible production costs can be covered, and how long does it typically take for producers to receive the incentive after a project has been completed?
Austria currently offers one of Europe's most attractive production incentive systems through FISAplus and ÖFI+, complemented by several regional funding programmes.
Depending on the project, eligible productions may receive up to around 35% of qualifying Austrian production expenditure through the federal incentive schemes, with additional regional support potentially increasing the overall financing package.
The exact timing of payments depends on the funding programme and the project's reporting process, but producers should plan for the incentive to be paid after the production has been completed, audited and formally approved. Careful documentation throughout the project is therefore essential.
4. Your team supports productions from pre-production through final reporting. At which stage do productions most often encounter avoidable financial or administrative challenges, and how can these be prevented?
Most avoidable problems actually begin before filming starts.
Budgets are sometimes prepared under considerable time pressure, payroll structures are not fully defined, or reporting requirements are underestimated. These issues rarely become visible immediately but often create unnecessary work and additional costs during production or when preparing funding settlements.
We encourage producers to involve their financial team as early as possible. Establishing clear workflows before shooting begins saves considerable time, reduces risk and allows the production team to focus on making the film.
5. Sustainable filmmaking is becoming an increasingly important part of the global film industry. How do you see this trend evolving, and what practical steps can productions take to become genuinely more sustainable?
Sustainability is now an integral part of professional film production rather than an optional extra.
Environmental measures such as reducing transport emissions, avoiding unnecessary waste and using resources more efficiently are important. At the same time, sustainable production also requires realistic planning, responsible working conditions and processes that remain practical throughout the production.
Because we work closely with production management, budgets and day-to-day workflows, we can help integrate sustainability measures into the production process from an early stage. Our team also has expertise in Green Consulting, enabling us to support productions in meeting both practical sustainability goals and funding requirements.
6. Financing independent films has become increasingly challenging worldwide. In your experience, how difficult is it today to find investors for a film project? If a producer has only one opportunity to pitch a project to an investor, what are the most common mistakes that cause these meetings to fall short? Do you also support producers in preparing financing strategies or investor presentations? If so, how?
Independent financing has become considerably more challenging over the past few years. Investors expect well-developed projects with realistic financing structures, experienced partners and a clear understanding of the target audience.
One of the most common mistakes is focusing entirely on the creative vision while neglecting the financial strategy. Investors want to understand not only why the film should exist, but also how it will be completed, financed and managed responsibly.
We regularly support producers with budgeting, financing structures, cash flow planning and funding strategies. Strong financial preparation gives creative projects greater credibility when approaching investors and financing partners.
7. Having worked with both Austrian and international productions, what differences have you observed in the way projects are planned, financed, and financially managed across different markets?
Having worked with both Austrian and international productions, I would not draw a simple line between them. Austrian productions are often large, highly professional co-productions involving several countries, funding bodies and production partners. International productions may operate on a bigger scale, but that does not necessarily mean they are always more structured. When several companies are involved and contact persons change over the course of a project, responsibilities and information can easily become fragmented.
In these situations, continuity is one of the most important things we provide. We are often involved from the early stages of a project through production and well beyond the shoot, sometimes until the final funding settlement. This means we can keep track of decisions, figures and processes even when teams or partners change. The differences are therefore less about size or professionalism and more about how many parties are involved, how responsibilities are divided and how consistently information is carried through the entire project.
8. What advice would you give to international producers planning to shoot in Austria for the first time? What's the one thing they should pay particular attention to in order to ensure a smooth and cost-effective production?
Start planning early and involve local partners from the beginning.
Austria offers excellent funding opportunities and highly skilled crews, but every incentive programme has its own eligibility criteria, reporting obligations and payroll requirements. Decisions made during pre-production often determine whether costs remain eligible later.
Working with experienced local production accounting and payroll specialists from day one helps avoid unnecessary complications and allows producers to focus on the creative side of the project.
9. Which project are you most proud of so far, and why?
Every production presents its own challenges, so it is difficult to choose a single favourite. One project that stands out for us, however, is the second season of Nine Perfect Strangers. It received the maximum FISA+ support available for a series and was one of the largest international productions realised in Austria under the programme.
What made the project particularly rewarding was not only its scale, but also the international collaboration behind it. We worked with numerous partners across different countries and accompanied the production over several years, from preparation and production through to final accounting and the settlement of the Austrian funding.
Our work does not simply end when filming wraps. After spending such a long time working with budgets, payroll data, cost reports and funding documentation, finally seeing the completed series and the Austrian locations on screen was a genuinely special moment. Projects like this demonstrate how closely producers, service companies, crews, institutions and funding bodies have to work together to realise an ambitious international production.
10. What are you currently working on, and what can we expect next from Solstein Film & Production Services?
We continue to expand our work with both Austrian and international productions while further strengthening our expertise in production accounting, payroll and sustainable production.
At the same time, we are investing in Green Consulting and international collaborations, particularly with producers looking for reliable financial and administrative partners when working in Europe. Many of our services are not tied to a specific filming location, so we can also support productions that are based or shooting entirely outside Austria.
Our ambition is to combine local expertise with international standards and become a trusted long-term partner for productions of every scale.
About Solstein Film & Production Services
Name: Solstein Film & Production ServicesLocation: Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
FilmPlatforms: View Company Profile
Email: office@solstein.at
Website: www.solstein.at
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