BUSES AND TRAINS. INTERMODAL STATION

The city has a recently constructed intermodal station that unifies bus and rail services near the Ensanche. Despite sharing a common space, the management of filming permits must be handled independently depending on the mode of transport:

The public entity Adif is responsible for managing the tracks, trains, and railway facilities. Requests for filming and checking images of available spaces must be made through the specific filmin section of its website.

The management of the bus network and its infrastructures is handled by the municipal company Tussa. In this case, the processing of filming permits is centralized through the Santiago de Compostela Film Commission (SCFC).

HOSPITALS

Since filming operations often disturb patients’ rest and welfare, hospitals are becoming increasingly reluctant to authorise the filming of audiovisual projects on their premises. However, depending on each particular case, certain exceptions may be possible, as long as the production company complies with the conditions previously established by the hospital management. Such conditions are not always the same and may vary according to the hospital’s situation.

UNIVERSITY

SCFC has always had a close relationship with the University of Santiago de Compostela, which played an especially active role in its creation. Therefore, although it is necessary to consult the University’s teaching calendar before filming on its premises (and ascertain whether filming is possible without interrupting its normal activities), SCFC is the perfect intermediary for streamlining the applications and negotiating the permits. However, those in charge of the corresponding institution are the ones that establish the regulations and issue the permits.

AIRPORT

In order to film on the premises of Santiago’s Lavacolla International Airport, prior authorisation is required from the airport management. To that end, a report should be sent with details of the scenes to be shot, including the number of people, the technical equipment, the planned duration of filming, etc. The airport management is responsible for analysing and authorising the applications, applying the respective fees:

There is a 300% surcharge for filming or recording on the runway or platform, which is always subject to the airport’s operational availability. Any filming of aircraft requires authorisation from the corresponding airline. When filming involves the use of other services, supplies or consumptions, these will be charged separately..

MUNICIPAL CEMETERIES

SCFC is responsible for obtaining permission for filming in the Boisaca municipal cemetery. The concessionary company “Pompas Fúnebres Reunidas S.A.” is, however, the one that issues such permits. It is absolutely forbidden to film inside funeral parlours or municipal funeral chambers.

In Santiago there are also several private cemeteries belonging to churches, such as that of San Francisco or San Domingos de Bonaval. Obtaining authorisation in these cases involves the same procedure as the one for filming in cathedrals, churches or other religious centres.

CATHEDRALS, CHURCHES AND OTHER RELIGIOUS CENTRES

Permission is required from the Archbishopric in order to film inside Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, inside any church or any other (Catholic) religious centres in the city; authorisation is granted or refused after a copy of the script has been received and analysed. SCFC serves as an intermediary between the Church and production companies, and likewise offers advice to the latter according to each production’s particular needs.

PRIVATE PROPERTY

SCFC has an extensive directory of private property owners willing to authorise filming on their property. Our office assumes the function of interlocutor between the producers and owners, negotiating reductions in the occupation fees.