Audio Visual
Your vision is our business
Brussels film and AV sector—and its reputation—is built of companies that dared bring their bold vision to the city. The professionalism and agility of service providers is only part of the story. The other part is our ingenious tax-shelter system, a federal tax incentive designed to support the design and production of audiovisual works.
Need a network?
The play.brussels cluster, led by hub.brussels, brings together more than 160 Brussels-based audiovisual companies from around the world. It offers tools and services that aid the development of projects and support their growth, transition or international expansion.
From the state-of-the-art facilities in mediapark.brussels to the
comprehensive assistance offered by screen.brussels, we have the skills, expertise and technology to help grow your audio-visual business.
Fast AV Facts & Figures
Brussels
- 13,000 jobs in the audiovisual sector representing 1,57% of total employment in Brussels
- 2,800 companies provide production, distribution, and facility services to the audio-visual sector, as well as video games, sound and virtual technologies.
- € 700 million yearly in net added value to the Brussels economy (on average) between 2016 and 2020.
Opportunities
Mediapark.brussels
- 400,000m2 media park on the national TV site (RTBF-BRT)
- New residential area for 6,000 inhabitants
- 5,000 skilled workers live in the area
- 60 media companies already established in the media park
- Includes new buildings for VRT (55,000m2) and RTBF (38,000m2)
- 30,000m2 for new media activities and companies
Tax Shelter
- €1 billion investment over the last 10 years
- €176 million investment in 2022
- 1721 productions financed between 2002 and 2022
- Government approved to encourage the production of audio-visual work in Belgium
- Available to Belgian productions and international co-productions with Belgium
- Extended to the performing arts in 2016 and to video games in 2023
TV Broadcasters
- Simplest licensing and regulatory regime across Europe
Ecosystem
Play.brussels cluster
Business support including business creation, subsidies, international opportunities and partnerships, trainings and collaboration contacts.
Screen.brussels
Content funding of up to €250,000 per film for international co-productions (all languages) with expenses made in Brussels. screen.brussels funded 250 projects since 2016 by investing over € 3 million each year.
Brussels Film commission
Logistic support, including scouting locations, shooting permits and identification of local crews. The Brussels Film Commission supports over 300 shoots per year, including 25% of international projects. In 2023, 304 projects amounted to 919 filming days.
Finance&Invest.brussels
Company funding as a loan or equity for audio-visual companies based in Brussels.
Dynamic at all levels
Education
In addition to graduate and post-graduate degrees at VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles), there are also a number of artistic and technical higher education organizations in Brussels offering high-quality audio-visual training.
International press hub
Major national and international broadcasters and press editors are based in Brussels, including 800 permanently based foreign journalists, 99 foreign TV broadcasters and 79 news agencies.
Open-minded regulator
BIPT-IBPT, the regulator for international broadcasters not exclusively linked to one language community (French, Dutch or German), has transposed the new AVMS Directive with only minor changes regarding advertising to children. They also recommend federal law requirements are never stricter than the AVMS Directive. Within the restrictions of the AVMS Directive BIPT is flexible and open to new ideas and collaborations.
