Lisbon’s Mayor, Carlos Moedas, has expressed a strong desire for Netflix to bring the popular series ‘Emily in Paris’ to his city. Speaking at the Tribeca Festival Lisboa on March 30, 2024, Moedas extended an open invitation to the streaming giant, suggesting that the character Emily, played by Lily Collins, would thrive on the city’s charming streets. “They can contact me. I’m open to it,” he stated, emphasizing the potential for romance and career growth in Lisbon.
As the fourth and fifth seasons of ‘Emily in Paris’ expand the narrative from France to Italy, the competition for future filming locations intensifies. Moedas highlighted Lisbon’s appeal, describing it as a hub of diversity and innovation that is ripe for storytelling. He remarked, “I hope at some point, one of these producers or movie stars or directors will think that it would be great to have a movie called Lisbon. We have loads of stories to tell.”
Lisbon faces formidable rivals in this quest. French President Emmanuel Macron has made it clear he intends to keep the series in Paris, citing the benefits of tourism and the local property market that the show brings to the French capital. In response, Roberto Gualtieri, the Mayor of Rome, urged Macron to refrain from interfering with Netflix’s production plans. “You really cannot intimidate or interfere with Netflix production plans for the next season of ‘Emily in Paris,’” Gualtieri stated firmly.
Lisbon’s allure for filmmakers is underscored by its vibrant culture and technological advancements. Moedas noted that the city welcomes diversity and different people, making it a perfect backdrop for creative projects. “Our city is ahead of the curve,” he explained, emphasizing the intersection of technology and storytelling.
The Tribeca Festival Lisboa serves as a platform for showcasing this creative potential. The festival, running until March 30, 2024, takes place in the Beato Innovation District, an area known for its focus on digital and cultural creation. Moedas expressed his vision for the future, stating, “We have all these technological companies that come to Lisbon and create jobs. But then I wanted to cross that with creativity, with culture, with performative arts, with movies, because this intersection of technology and art and culture is magical.”
He further elaborated on the transformative power of storytelling, suggesting that merging technology with narrative creates new opportunities. “It’s all about humans and how we tell that story,” he said. “When you intersect that storytelling and technology, you create amazing things, you create jobs, you create new products.”
As Lisbon continues to position itself as a prime location for film and television production, the outcome of this friendly competition among European cities remains to be seen. With its unique charm and growing reputation, Lisbon is eager to showcase its potential as the next setting for captivating stories.
