South Tyrol on film: Between mountains, cinema and magic

Every year, thousands of travellers are enchanted by the landscapes of South Tyrol. And not only travellers: internationally renowned directors and producers have learned to recognise the visual and emotional potential of this unique land. Thus, amid spectacular Dolomites, historic villages, mysterious forests and unspoiled valleys, South Tyrol has become a true open-air film set.

Landscapes made for dreams… and for the screen

Thanks to its extraordinary variety, South Tyrol lends itself to multiple film genres:

Bolzano, Brunico and Chiusa, with their old-world charm, are perfect for period films or sophisticated comedies;
The Dolomite peaks, alpine meadows and glacial lakes offer ideal backdrops for dramas, fantasy or adventure films;
The contrast between pristine natural settings and modern or medieval architecture makes it easy to set stories across different eras and evocative atmospheres.

The result? An ever-growing number of Italian and international productions choosing South Tyrol as their filming location.

South Tyrol on the big (and small) screen

Here are some of the most famous productions filmed in our mountains. You might recognise a few scenes on your next holiday:

Un passo dal cielo: a compelling TV series shot between Dobbiaco, the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park and San Candido. Terence Hill plays the Head of the Forest Rangers amid breathtaking views and plot twists.
Das finstere Tal: a 2014 western filmed in Val Senales. Starring Sam Riley and Tobias Moretti, the story is shrouded in dark mystery.
Der stille Berg: a love story set during the Great War, with Claudia Cardinale and William Moseley. Filmed in 2013 around Lake Braies, Sassopiatto and the Mendola Pass.
Everest: a film about the 1996 expedition to the eponymous mountain with Jake Gyllenhaal, Robin Wright and Keira Knightley. Released in 2015 and shot in Val Senales, this dramatic thriller opened the 72nd Venice Film Festival.
Fräulein, Una fiaba d’inverno: an Italian comedy with Christian De Sica showcasing the beauty of the Renon plateau (2016).
Honig im Kopf: a tragicomedy by and starring Til Schweiger with Dieter Hallervorden. Shot between Bolzano, Val di Funes and Dobbiaco (2014), it tells the story of a man with Alzheimer’s and his granddaughter.
Il principe abusivo: a 2013 Italian comedy with Christian De Sica, Alessandro Siani and Serena Autieri, featuring Bolzano and Merano.
Intro: music video by J-Ax and Bianca Atzei, released in 2015 and set in Val Senales.
Kommissar Rex: the beloved German Shepherd returned to the screen in 2013 with South Tyrolean episodes filmed around Merano, Val d’Ultimo, Lana and Avelengo.
La corrispondenza: a romantic thriller by Giuseppe Tornatore with Jeremy Irons and Olga Kurylenko, set in 2016 among the landscapes of Bolzano and Bressanone.
La migliore offerta: another Tornatore gem with Geoffrey Rush and Donald Sutherland. Filmed entirely in English in 2012 around Bolzano, Merano and Ora — unmissable.
Un boss in salotto: an Italian comedy with Paola Cortellesi and Luca Argentero, filmed in 2014 in Bolzano, Merano, Bressanone and San Candido.
Wie Brüder im Wind: a family film with Jean Reno and Tobias Moretti, shot in 2015 in Racines and Val di Vizze.
La classe volante: based on the novel by Erich Kästner, filmed in the historic centre of Glorenza in Val Venosta.
Deer Girl: a film about a troubled childhood and the search for love, shot in Fortezza and surroundings.
Hill of Vision: set in 1943, it tells the story of an abandoned child wandering between Bolzano and the nearby countryside at the age of five. Filmed almost entirely in South Tyrol.
Binichdenn: a short filmed in Bressanone, portraying five women in a spaceless, timeless setting in search of truth.
Lovely Boy: a two-part film about a young man’s path into the world of trap music. The second part was shot near Chiusa, 30 km from Bolzano.
Der Gejagte: the sequel to the TV series “Nella rete della camorra”, centred on the kidnapping of Tobias Moretti’s daughter by the Camorra and his quest to find her. Of the 22 shooting days, 17 took place in South Tyrol between Bolzano, Terlano and Caldaro.
Das fliegende Klassenzimmer: a family film revolving around the timeless conflict between boarding-school pupils and the so-called “outsiders”. All outdoor scenes were filmed in South Tyrol, between Glorenza and Dobbiaco.
Lassie, Ein neues Abenteuer: a project reviving the legendary dog who captivated audiences in the ’50s–’70s. Filming took place in Val d’Ultimo, Cortina sulla Strada del Vino and along the Wine Road itself.
Jump out: a documentary alternating between Europe and Nairobi, telling the story of Steve and three friends who dream of escaping poverty through acrobatics. Filmed in Piazza Walther, Bolzano.
Bordovasca: a dramatic short set at the Bolzano Lido.

Alpenbrennen: a children’s film shot between Val Venosta and Val Passiria.
Eva dorme: based on Francesca Melandri’s bestselling novel.
Hexe Lillis eingesacktes Weihnachtsfest: a children’s film starring Christiane Hörbiger.
I figli della notte: Andrea De Sica’s debut feature, filmed in Val Venosta and Dobbiaco.
Pip Fischer and the Secret of Ötzi: a children’s adventure film with Valeria Golino, shot in Bolzano and Soprabolzano.

Star Wars – The Red Cup: a spin-off from the legendary saga, filmed between Alta Pusteria and the Belluno area.
Curon: the Netflix series shot in Curon Venosta, where a legend echoes around the extraordinary submerged bell tower.

Countless breathtaking scenes, landscapes that steal the spotlight, and locations that look painted by a Romantic artist: this is cinema in South Tyrol.

A movie-worthy holiday

Who knows? During your holiday you might stumble upon a set, a camera, or even a famous actor enjoying a break between takes. And even when filming is over, the places remain: you can visit them, photograph them, experience them in person. Because in South Tyrol, every view is a scene, and every walk is a protagonist’s journey.