Chile shares its experience for filming in remote locations

This Wednesday, within the framework of Ventana Sur, the Libertad Palace was the scene of a meeting designed to inspire, connect and open new possibilities for audiovisual production in the region.

Photos: ProChile (PH: Margarita Loyola)

Under the title “Filming in remote locations in a distant country: success stories from Chile”Chilean industry leaders shared learnings, challenges and strategies built from highly complex filming in unique natural settings.

The day began with a welcome from Constanza Alegría, from ProChile, who presented the spirit of the meeting and the invited Chilean delegation: professionals with extensive experience in location management, production and institutional support.

The first block was in charge of Yerko Martínez, from Film Commission Chilewho offered a comprehensive overview of the country’s context, the strength of its institutional framework and the diversity of locations that have positioned it as an attractive destination for international productions.

Asked about Chile’s current value proposition for projects seeking remote or highly complex locations, Martínez highlighted: «Chile offers a unique geographical diversity, concentrated in short distances: desert, snow, mountain ranges, forests, lakes, glaciers, roads and modern cities. All in the same country and with high climatic stability. Added to this is reliable infrastructure, highly trained crews and an ecosystem accustomed to working in extreme conditions. For projects that need challenging locations but with operational security, Chile is today one of the most solid destinations in the southern hemisphere.»

Regarding the role of the Film Commission In accompaniment to foreign teams, he stressed that it works as a true one-stop shop for various tasks: from early advice on permits, logistics and possible routes, through inter-institutional coordination with public organizations, coordination with local production companies and support during filming to speed up procedures and unblock processes. “Our job is to ensure that the teams do not waste time and can concentrate on filming”he synthesized.

Finally, regarding why Chile is consolidating itself as a competitive destination, he noted: «It combines unique locations, top-level professionals and a State that is organizing its offer, with incentives, governance and an active Film Commission. In a context where studios look for safe and efficient destinations, Chile appears as a ‘boutique country’ to produce.»

The second block was in charge of Fernando Venegas (Tyrol / CAIA / Magic Foundation), promoter of the renowned Weltun Village in Chiloé. Its exhibition recovered the history and singular value of a location where identity and community are deeply integrated into the audiovisual process.

Venegas defined Pueblito as «the only living expression of recreation of a pre-modern Chilote hamlet. Its stilt houses and hearths are kept in conditions identical to the originals, without alterations or ornamentation. They are vernacular testimonies that do not seem like scenery, but rather a real place.»

In logistical terms, he highlighted that the site combines authenticity with functional infrastructure: “It responds very well to the demands of verisimilitude and also to health and operational requirements: bathrooms, catering spaces, parking lots and production areas, without intervening on the set.”

The relationship with the community was another key point in the talk: «The territorial identity and the community have actively participated in each filming. Chiloé has professional technicians, local production companies and public offices that support the filming. There is an installed audiovisual culture that facilitates agreements and access to resources.»

And regarding the final value of Pueblito for international productions, Venegas concluded: «It offers a unique opportunity to obtain authentic spaces that give credibility to stories located in Chilote ancestral life and great Patagonia. It has no parallel anywhere on the island or in the extreme south of Chile, and possibly not in Argentina either.»

The meeting continued with the presentation of Alejandro Wise, producer of Fablewho shared the case of the filming Wild Horse Ninedeveloped in challenging locations in Chilean territory—among them, Rapa Nui (Easter Island)—and which tested logistics, methodology and territorial sensitivity.

Regarding the experience of filming in Rapa Nui, Wise noted: «Rapa Nui is not just a location: it is a living territory, with its own rules and a community deeply connected to its culture. We had to rethink processes that on the continent we take for granted. The key was to build trust before filming, meeting with Mau Henua (Rapa Nui Indigenous Community, administrator of the Rapa Nui National Park), CODEIPA (Indigenous Development and Participation Commission) and the community. Transparency was a cinematographic tool.»

He also highlighted the importance of small and agile teams: “In a place where geography and climate demand you, agility makes the difference.”

Regarding working with international teams, Wise said: «Our local experience, especially in extreme territories, was integrated with the standards of foreign equipment. That mix generates a common language. Clarity, logistical anticipation and shared decision making were essential.»

Regarding the current advantages of filming in Chile, he highlighted the combination of geographical diversity, technical capacity and institutional stability: «You can film desert, snow, forests, volcanoes, cities and isolated territories without leaving the country. And Chile has established itself as a reliable territory for global productions.»

For an international production to feel accompanied, Wise highlighted three essential factors: transparency in processes and costs, solid and respectful teams, with intercultural experience and flexible planning to adapt to extreme geographies.

«When a production feels that there is a local partner who understands the territory and protects the project, trust appears. And with trust, everything flows»he pointed out.

The day closed with a few words from the host, who celebrated the participation of the Chilean delegation and highlighted the importance of continuing to weave alliances between production companies, territories and new narratives.