From the iconic scenes of The 400 Blows to the vibrant streets of Emily in Paris, Paris has long been a beloved backdrop in cinema. However, if you plan to shoot your next project in the City of Light, be prepared for a more regulated approach. New rules set to take effect from 1 January 2025 will mandate production companies to sign a charter committing to address sexism, discrimination, and sexual violence on set in Paris.
In this charter, filmmakers will pledge to promote gender equality, provide anti-sexism training for their crews, and combat gender discrimination and violence. Additionally, there are specific guidelines regarding the filming of intimate scenes, focusing on actor safety. The #MeToo movement, which swept Hollywood in 2017, has led to the standardization of intimacy coordinators, and while France has been slower to respond, this new regulation marks a significant step forward.
It remains to be seen how these regulations will be enforced for companies that sign the charter, which essentially extends existing regulations for French productions to international productions in Paris. "This measure extends that adopted by the National Cinema Centre, which only applies to the film industry," explained Carine Rolland, deputy mayor for culture.
Currently, this new measure is limited to film productions, but it could potentially impact TV productions like Emily in Paris in the future. Paris has increasingly become a sought-after location for filming, thanks to its rich cinematic history. The city issues over 7,000 filming permits annually for everything from TV series to advertisements.
Filming outdoor scenes with landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe requires a permit from the Paris Police Prefecture. However, smaller crews filming before 11pm are exempt from these restrictions, fostering an environment that encourages independent filmmakers inspired by the French New Wave.
Larger productions must apply to the Mission Cinéma de la Ville de Paris for assistance with road closures and other logistical challenges of filming in a major city.
