Film France – CNC is proud to present the 4th edition of U.S. Filmmaking in France: Living the French Experience in Los Angeles, in partnership with Villa Albertine and Screen International and in conjunction with the American French Film Festival (TAFFF). The event celebrates the collaboration between the U.S. and French film industries.
Professionals will get an inside look at the advantages and benefits of filming in France, from its diverse locations to its world-class talent and production resources. The program includes a presentation on the Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP) and the opportunities created by the ‘Above the line expansion (ATL)’; a panel showcasing the Emmy-nominated French VFX work behind The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon; firsthand accounts from international professionals who discovered France through Fam Tours; and a fireside chat with Hacks showrunner Paul W. Downs on bringing the series' acclaimed grand finale to Paris.
During the event, attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with twenty French professionals, including production services companies, film studios, and VFX studios & production company, to discuss the advantages of working with France.
Included in the agenda for the event will be presentations and panel discussions such as:
Enhanced Tax Rebate for International Productions: What the ATL Expansion Means for Your Next Production
Overview of France’s Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP) and the recent ATL Expansion, highlighting new opportunities available to international productions filming in France.
Speaker:
- Daphné Lora, Head of Film France-CNC & Game France, CNC
The Emmy Nominated French VFX Behind The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
This panel focuses on the creative and production collaboration behind The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, highlighting both the work delivered by the French VFX teams and AMC's experience working with them. It features representatives from three French VFX studios and one French VFX production company behind the episode nominated for an Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Special Visual Effects’ in a Single Episode.
Speakers:
- John Marler, Post Supervisor & Producer, AMC Global Media
- Olivia McLean, Executive Producer, Mathematic
- Cem Olcer, VFX Supervisor, BUF
- Justine Paynat-Sautivet , Show-Side Senior VFX Producer
- Rebecca Samulon, Business Development Producer , The Mill
- Moderated by Jason Fisher, Founder & CEO, Stagerunner - Global Production Platform
They Lived the French Experience: Voices from Fam Tours Across France
Firsthand insights from American professionals who experienced France through Film France-CNC’s Fam Tours, organized with regional film commissions and industry partners to inspire future productions in France.
Speakers:
- Lori Balton, Location Scout
- Lila Byock, Writer & Producer
- Aaron Hurvitz, International Location Scout
- Melissa Morkus, Head of Physical Production, FilmNation Entertainment
- Moderated by Carolina Groppa, Emmy-nominated Producer and Podcast Host, Angle on Producers
Fireside Chat with Paul W. Downs: Bringing Hacks’ Grand Finale to Paris
An inside look at the filming of Hacks season 5 in France, featuring co-creator and showrunner, Paul W. Downs. Attendees will uncover how the production brought its final chapter to Paris.
Speaker:
- Paul W. Downs, Actor, Writer & Director
Moderated by Jeremy Kay, Americas Editor, Screen International
Featured Speakers
The Emmy Nominated French VFX Behind The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
John Marler, Post Supervisor & Producer, AMC Global Media
John Marler is a veteran television producer and post-production specialist who manages complex workflows for high-profile narrative dramas. Currently working within the AMC Network ecosystem, Marler has played a consistent role in executing the technical and creative post-production demands of major television franchises.
Marler’s career is anchored by his extensive contributions to The Walking Dead universe, where he served as a co-producer and associate producer on the flagship series. He continued his work within the franchise as a producer for the spin-off series The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
Beyond AMC, his production portfolio includes serving as a co-producer on Apple TV's sci-fi drama Invasion and post-production supervisor roles on mystery dramas such as Pretty Little Liars and Ravenswood.
They Lived the French Experience: Voices from Fam Tours Across France
Lori Balton, Location Scout
Veteran Location Scout Lori Balton’s storied career spans four decades of working with some of the most recognizable names in film (Michael Mann, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, Tony Scott, Ava Duvernay, Tim Burton, Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, Alexander Payne, Alan Pakula, Aaron Sorkin, Mike Nichols, Michael Bay, Paul Thomas Anderson, Cameron Crowe, Rob Reiner, Sean Penn….). Grateful for a job that lets her explore the world, Balton is the first location professional accepted into the Academy. A published photographer and writer, Balton has been featured on numerous podcasts, panels and master classes. She is an Event Ambassador for Spain’s Shooting Locations Marketplace and a frequent contributor to FOCUS London and The Location Guide. Balton was a jurist for the 2021 EUFCN Location Award and the Location Guide’s Inaugural Movers & Shakers Awards. Founding member and past president of the LMGI, she cofounded and edited the Compass Magazine for 8 years and produced the Award Show until 2020. Accolades include the LMGI Trailblazer Award, many California on Location Awards and nominations, and an LMGI Award.
Lila Byock, Writer & Producer
Lila Byock earned an MFA in fiction from the Iowa Writers' Workshop and spent five years on the editorial staff of The New Yorker, before beginning a career in television. Her work on such shows as Watchmen, The Leftovers, Castle Rock, and Manhattan has received numerous honors, including two Writers Guild of America awards and an Emmy. Most recently, Lila has been a writer and executive producer of the forthcoming drama Kennedy, on Netflix, and she is developing a romantic comedy series set in Paris.
Aaron Hurvitz, International Location Scout
One of the top location scouts in the Eastern United States, Aaron Hurvitz is perhaps best known for scouting the Joker steps— a location which became a cultural phenomenon and tourist attraction in the Bronx. Aaron has worked with some of Hollywood’s premier directors, including (but not limited to) Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Todd Philips, James Mangold, Spike Lee, and Darren Aronofsky. In his 20-year career, Aaron has worked on everything from small indies to big-budget franchise films, and he’s lent his expertise to productions across the globe. Aaron is also an award-winning photographer who has showcased and sold work in New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, Minnesota, and Spain.
Melissa Morkus, Head of Physical Production
Melissa Morkus is currently serving as the Head of Physical Production at FilmNation Entertainment where she oversees physical and post production across the company’s film and television slate. In this role, she designs and implements strategic domestic and international production plans, including tax incentives, co-productions, and location strategy, while driving cost-efficiency initiatives that maintain creative integrity. Prior to FilmNation, Morkus was Vice President of Physical Production at MGM, where she served as the executive in charge of several notable projects, including Nickel Boys, Blink Twice, The Fire Inside, Bottoms and Women Talking. Earlier in her career, she held key roles at Entertainment One, contributing to projects such as Yellowjackets season 1 and multiple Marvel series, including Jessica Jones season 3, Cloak and Dagger season 2 and Daredevil season 3 where she served as a Co-Producer. She also worked at 20th Century Fox and Relativity Media.
Fireside Chat with Paul W. Downs: Bringing Hacks’ Grand Finale to Paris
Paul W. Downs, Actor, Writer & Director
Paul W. Downs is an Emmy-winning American actor, writer, director, and showrunner. He rose to prominence on Comedy Central’s hit sitcom Broad City (2014–2019), serving as a writer and executive producer while winning over audiences as the lovable, enthusiastic personal trainer Trey Pucker.
Downs transitioned into film by co-writing, producing, and starring as Peter in the R-rated studio comedy Rough Night (2017) alongside Scarlett Johansson. His other notable projects include co-creating and starring in the sci-fi comedy miniseries Time Traveling Bong (2016) and appearing in the Netflix comedy film Like Father (2018).
He is the co-creator and co-showrunner of the critically acclaimed Max comedy series Hacks (2021–2026). In addition to writing and directing multiple episodes, Downs stars as the well-meaning talent manager Jimmy LuSaque, a performance that has earned him individual Emmy nominations alongside his writing and series wins.
Discover The French Delegation
Production Services Companies
Cactus Films
Paris, Paris Region & Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur
Trusted French Production Partner for International Film & Television Productions.
Cactus Films is a French production services company specializing in international feature films, high-end television and streaming productions throughout France. Based in Paris and Marseille, the company has provided production and line production services to international producers, studios and broadcasters since 2009. Recent credits include Netflix’s spy thriller Black Doves and dark comedy feature The Worst, starring Keira Knightley, Alicia Vikander and Sam Claflin. Previous credits include Netflix’s WWII Resistance series Transatlantic, filmed in Marseille and the South of France, where the real-life story unfolded. Cactus Films works with internationally experienced crews and specializes in managing complex shoots involving multiple units, physical and mechanical stunts. The company is currently collaborating with U.S. producers on projects considering France, ranging from historical series and international period features to contemporary theatrical productions and independent films.
Firstep
Paris, Paris Region
Firstep: Your French Production Partner.
Founded in 2000, Firstep is one of the leading production services companies in Europe. With a rich history of facilitating international productions, they specialize in helping foreign filmmakers bring their movies and series to life in the captivating landscapes of France. Firstep collaborates with all the top American and European studios and networks. Firstep’s works include the production of Emily in Paris (Netflix), Étoile (Prime Video), The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon S1 & The Book of Carol S2 (AMC Networks), John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate), Murder Mystery 2 (Netflix), David Fincher’s The Killer (Netflix), Mission: Impossible - Fallout (Paramount), Stillwater (Focus Features) and many others.
Froggie Production
Paris, Paris Region & Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur
Trusted by studios and producers. Backed by French know-how.
Froggie Production, established in Paris in 2000, provides France-based production services for TV series and feature films. The company has cultivated strong, long-term relationships with producers, companies, networks and studios based in the U.S. and UK. Recent credits include The Last Mrs. Parrish, The Wrong Paris and The Diplomat for Netflix, The Last Thing He Told Me for Apple TV, Atlanta Season 2 and The Veil for FX, FBI International for NBCUniversal...
From their offices in Paris and Marseille, Froggie Production specializes in producing high production-value shoots by means of custom-tailored crews and low overhead.
FullDawa Films
Paris, Paris Region
Production company which has been ‘crashing the party’ ever since its inception in 2004.
Founded in 2007 by Gaël Cabouat, Boris Mendza and David Atrakchi, all members of the Academy, alongside Sonia Tardif d’Hamonville, FullDawa Films is a dynamic production company based in Paris, with an office in Los Angeles and a team of 8 across both cities. Backed by SND Films, FullDawa produces, co-produces and services feature films worldwide, delivering international-standard productions with a strong focus on sustainability. The company has produced and co-produced more than 10 award-winning feature films across all budget levels, including Weston Razooli’s Riddle of Fire. Recent highlights include the Netflix global hit Champagne Problems (Netflix) and The Phantom of the Opera (SND Films), alongside current executive productions A Waiter in Paris, directed by Peter Hoar (BBC and Movie Love Production), and Please, directed by Halina Reijn (A24, Raccoons Features and 2am Films).
LEFT & RIGHT
Pantin, Paris Region
Physical production, VFX supervision, and AI - engineered for excellence and built for budget.
LEFT & RIGHT are physical production and VFX production companies with offices in Paris, Los Angeles, and New York. Their mission is to maximize production value by strategically integrating physical production, VFX, and Generative Arts. In partnership with Firstep, they oversaw both physical production and VFX for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon S1 & The Book of Carol S2 and kept managing VFX in France when the series continued the shoot in Spain for Season 3 and 4 for AMC Networks (2022-2025).
Meadow Pictures
Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
New wave of French international production.
Meadow Pictures is a French production services company founded in 2024 by Valentin Francoise. After over a decade working with HBO, A24, Apple TV, and Netflix, Valentin launched Meadow to offer a fresh, modern take on production servicing in France. Joined by Oscar Thorneman in 2025, Meadow offers full-scale support across France for studio and indie projects. Built on deep industry experience, creative flexibility, and local insight, it ensures high-quality execution via trusted French crews. Meadow acts as a creative ally, connecting strong partners and emphasizing artistic awareness, human connection, and smart, cost-efficient solutions. Currently involved in several productions of varying scales, Meadow will present a new and growing filmography by summer 2026 as its first projects are released and announced.
FILM STUDIOS
Studios de Bry
Villiers-sur-Marne, Paris Region
France’s first film studio campus with 7 sound stages today and 14 tomorrow.
Studios de Bry is a major production facility dedicated exclusively to feature films and TV series, located just 6 miles from Paris and easily accessible from the city by public transport. More than just a collection of sound stages, Studios de Bry provides a full range of production services and infrastructure, including workshops, dressing rooms, production offices, and extensive storage facilities, enabling projects to be supported seamlessly from pre-production through principal photography. One stage is permanently equipped with a state-of-the-art LED volume, available year-round for virtual production and offering filmmakers greater creative and technical flexibility. From early 2027, the site will double its capacity to a total of 14 sound stages, further expanding its capacity to accommodate productions of all scales, from independent films to major international series.
Studios de la Montjoie
Saint-Denis, Paris Region
A state-of-the-art complex in Saint-Denis, a few miles from Paris.
Studios de la Montjoie - just 10 minutes from Montmartre and steps from the subway -feature 7 soundstages (4,300 - 14,000 sq ft) and develops a standing Parisian apartment set. Hosting over 50% of shoots in Paris Region, la Montjoie supports 150+ projects yearly with prep offices, costume and set workshops.
Thanks to in-house LED walls, it has led virtual productions on various advertising projects and Une Belle Course (Pathé). Recent credits include Franklin (Apple TV), Lupin S3 (Gaumont), Emily in Paris, and projects for Disney+, Netflix, and Prime Video. The studio also offers natural settings and office space and is the closest to Paris — just 10 minutes from Montmartre and steps from the subway.
Studios de Reims
Bétheny, Grand Est
A New One-Stop Production Hub Near Paris.
Located in Reims, just 45 minutes from Paris by high-speed train, Studios de Reims is a new all-in-one production hub set on nearly 110 acres of a former air base. Free from noise pollution, the site offers extensive filming opportunities, outdoor set construction, and on-site logistics. Opening in March 2027, the hub will feature 2 studios of approximately 10,800 sq ft and 21,500 sq ft, alongside 17,200 sq ft of support facilities (offices, dressing rooms, hair & makeup), and a 43,000 sq ft construction workshop. These facilities complement existing buildings and diverse natural landscapes, including 1.2 miles of roads, wooded areas, open fields, and former military infrastructure - perfect for creating bespoke backlots. Studios de Reims also offers secure, flexible storage units ranging from 1,300 to 10,800 sq ft, as well as a large inventory of furniture, props, and accessories for film, television and advertising productions. Recent productions include Le Code (France TV), Visitors (Warner TV), Champagne (Radar Film), Machine (Arte and Prime Video).
TSF
Saint-Denis, Paris Region
Best full-service Studios Facility and Equipment Rental House.
Founded in 1979, TSF is the first full-service equipment rental house in France. TSF offices based in Paris, Marseille, Montpellier, Bordeaux, and Brussels, offer the broadest and latest range of film & digital cameras, lighting, and grip equipment. Among U.S. productions, TSF supported Mission: Impossible – Fallout (Paramount Pictures), Emily in Paris S5 (Netflix), The Diplomat S1 (Netflix), John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate), The Last Duel (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures), The Killer (Netflix), FBI: International S4 (CBS Studios International)…
Already operating 43,000 sq ft of soundstages, TSF opened a 5-acre Backlot of permanent Parisian streets, also adding 5 new soundstages (total 65,000 sq ft) to open early in 2026. The studios hosted shootings like Murder Mystery 2 (Netflix), The Serpent Queen Season 2 (Lionsgate), The Substance (MUBI), or Étoile (Prime Video) at its Epinay facilities, among multiple other international productions.
V Studios
Vendargues, Occitanie
V Studios: Your creative cocoon in the South of France
V Studios is a one-stop shop offering a comprehensive, integrated suite of services at the forefront of innovation and CSR, designed to meet all types of production needs. Covering 258,000 sq ft, V Studios features 9 soundproofed and climate-controlled sets including 2 public access venues as well as offices, open spaces, a construction workshop, a prop and costume warehouse, post-production suites, alongside relaxation areas including a beach volleyball court. Its innovative equipment includes advanced XR technology with LED walls, motion capture systems, and real-time camera tracking. V Studios is committed to sustainability, notably through a solar power plant, water recovery systems, and high-performance thermal insulation. Located at the heart of a creative hub, V Studios supports productions at every stage of their projects, in an environment that fosters innovation and sustainable practices.
VFX STUDIOS & VFX PRODUCTION COMPANY
BUF
Paris, Paris Region
The best quality pictures with no limit other than one’s imagination.
Founded in 1984, BUF is a landmark visual effects studio known for its artistic vision and pioneering spirit, being one of the few companies to exclusively use its own proprietary software from pre-visualization to final render. Its ambition has always been to combine cutting-edge technology with strong creative direction, positioning itself not only as a technical provider but as a true creative partner for filmmakers. The studio supports its clients throughout the entire VFX process, bringing original ideas, a distinctive aesthetic approach, and innovative technical solutions that serve both the story and the visual impact. Over the years, BUF has worked on more than 1,000 films and commercials, with recent examples such as Bettlejuice Bettlejuice (Warner Bros.), 3 Body Problem Season 1 (Netflix), and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC Networks), and much more still in production.
DRGNFLY
Paris, Paris Region
Helping productions punch above their weight.
Founded by Justine Paynat-Sautivet and Sébastien Voisin, DRGNFLY is an independent VFX strategy, production and supervision company. Combining script analysis, production engineering and financial strategy, we work client-side with producers, showrunners and filmmakers to design the right VFX model for each project. DRGNFLY bridges the cultural and production gap between international creative teams and the French VFX ecosystem. Independent from vendors, we identify the right partners, translate creative ambition into a clear production strategy, and oversee execution through final delivery, ensuring nothing gets lost in translation. Recent work includes The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 1–4 (AMC Global Media), Evil Dead Burn (Warner Bros.), and Quasimodo (Netflix). Both founders have received a Genie Award, two additional Genie nominations, a VES Award nomination and a Primetime Emmy nomination.
Mathematic Film
Paris, Paris Region & Montpellier, Occitanie
An artist-driven studio fearlessly pushing creative boundaries.
Founded in 2006, Mathematic Film is an independent studio supporting ambitious film and series productions - placing storytelling, direction, and artistic intent at the core of its approach. The studio has built an international reputation, establishing creative hubs in Paris, Montreal, Los Angeles, London and Montpellier to offer more accessibility to partners and to source an ever-diverse team of talent worldwide. Mathematic presents a creative partnership from early consultation to final pixel, offering a fully integrated pipeline that scales from bespoke needs to major visually ambitious projects. It is a B-Corp company. Mathematic's commitment to delivering exceptional visual effects has led to collaborations with renowned auteurs including Alfonso Cuarón, Darren Aronofsky, Wes Anderson, and Thomas Vinterberg and with major studios across productions such as Evil Dead Burn (New Line), Disclaimer* (Apple TV), The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC Global Media), Champagne Problems (Netflix), The Watchers (Warner Brothers), The Whale (A24), and many others
The Mill
Paris, Paris Region
Creative craft, designed to scale.
With over 40 years of experience, The Mill (formerly MPC Paris and Mikros VFX) is a Paris-based VFX studio delivering premium work for French and international films and series. Collaborating closely with directors and production, the studio brings a deep artistic culture to every project, with teams known for craft and quality. Its Film & Episodic and Brand & Content branches work side by side, sharing talent, tools, and an R&D-driven approach that keeps them agile. Backed by TransPerfect Media, The Mill combines long-term stability with continued investment in technology and pipeline development while maintaining the creative flexibility clients expect. The Mill has delivered the VFX for every César “Best Visual Effects” winner since the category was introduced, and its teams have been recognized at the VES, Emmys, and Genie Awards. Recent credits include Emilia Pérez (Jacques Audiard), Dracula (Luc Besson), The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC Global Media), and The Hunt (Apple TV)
Rodeo FX
Paris, Paris Region
Born to craft.
Rodeo FX is a multi-award-winning company specializing in high-end visual effects, animation, and creative services founded in 2006 in Canada. Its Paris office opened in May 2023 and expanded in 2026 with brand new spaces in the heart of Paris over 5 floors, along with the Mikros Animation teams. This European hub has since then collaborated on titles such as Luc Besson’s Dracula (EuropaCorp), The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 (AMC Global Media), the iconic French franchise Kaamelott (Regular Production), and the upcoming fifth season of Netflix’s The Witcher. Their artists are inspired by their client’s vision and driven by an undeniable love for what they do. The studio has one ambition: to offer the expertise and quality of work of Rodeo FX in France
Trimaran VFX
Paris, Paris Region, Vanves, Paris Region & Valenciennes, Hauts-de-France
Creating worlds for ambitious storytelling.
Trimaran VFX is a French visual effects studio specializing in digital environments for film and episodic. Working with French and international productions, the studio combines a full range of 2D and 3D expertise, from compositing and cleanup to modeling, texturing, animation, lighting and AI. Renowned for historical reconstruction and large-scale environments, Trimaran delivers everything from invisible VFX and seamless set extensions to fully CG worlds. Flexible and collaborative, the studio provides tailored solutions to meet the creative and production needs of each project. TPN certified, Trimaran operates to high standards of content security and works with leading international studios and platforms including Prime Video, AppleTV, FX, Lionsgate, Netflix and Warner Bros
The Yard
Paris, Paris Region & Montpellier, Occitanie
The Yard is a world class independent French VFX studio dedicated to Film and Episodic.
The Yard is a world-class French VFX studio dedicated to Film and Episodic
Founded in Paris in 2014 by Laurens Ehrmann, The Yard VFX is a leading independent studio specializing in digital visual effects for film and series. Known for its internationally experienced team, it collaborates with major studios including Lucasfilm, Netflix, Amazon MGM, Disney, and Marvel.
Blending creative vision with strong production expertise, The Yard delivers acclaimed VFX for projects ranging from independent films like Nomadland to major franchises such as Indiana Jones and Halo. Its work has earned top industry honors, including a 2023 César Award for Notre Dame on Fire, a 2024 HPA Award, and two consecutive Creative Arts Emmy nominations for All The Light We Cannot See (Netflix) and The Rings of Power – Season 2 (Prime Video).
With facilities in Paris, Montpellier, and London, The Yard continues to grow, combining artistic excellence and cutting-edge technology to craft world-class visual solutions.
Film Commission
Film France-CNC
Paris, Paris Region
Your one-stop shop for filming in France
Film France-CNC, the French film commission, department of the CNC (The National Center for Cinema and Moving Image), supports international productions by offering expert guidance and personalized assistance – entirely free of charge.
Our services:
- Clear guidance on everything international productions need to know when filming in France;
- Expert advice on Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP) and project eligibility;
- Support with permits, production regulations and visas;
- Assistance with location scouting, filming, animation, VFX and post-production in France;
- Connection with local film commissions, production services companies and studios across the country.
The CNC, through Film France – CNC and Game France – CNC, also offers insights and support to productions companies and studios interested in collaborating with French studios to adapt their IPs into animation, video games or VR.
