The Portuguese coastal city of Figueira da Foz has won the latest EUFCN Audience Location Award, honouring its contribution to the World War II drama series Broken Spies, staged by Ukbar Filmes. The announcement was made on 15 February during a ceremony in Berlin, held on the sidelines of the European Film Market (12-18 February).

Presented annually by the European Film Commissions Network (EUFCN), the Audience Location Award recognises European filming locations that play a decisive role in storytelling on screen, highlighting their cultural and economic impact while promoting film-friendly territories across the continent.

This year’s shortlist, selected by the EUFCN Location Award jury, reflected the diversity of Europe’s landscapes and architectural heritage. The five finalists were Belgrade (Serbia) for The Librarians: The Next Chapter, Figueira da Foz (Portugal) for Broken Spies (Espias), Inari (Finland) for Arctic Circle (Ivalo), La Palma (Spain) for La Palma and Sangerhausen (Germany) for Phantoms of July [+leggi anche:
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scheda film]. From Arctic wilderness and volcanic terrain to historic cities and coastal environments shaped by wartime history, the selection showcased how location can become an essential narrative tool, rather than a mere backdrop.

Set during World War II, Broken Spies uses Figueira da Foz’s seafront architecture and period atmosphere to evoke the tension of espionage networks operating along Europe’s Atlantic edge. The series was produced by Lisbon-based Ukbar Filmes, whose recent slate continues to foreground Portuguese heritage locations.

Commenting on the prize, creator and producer Pandora da Cunha Telles said it was “truly wonderful to have an award that celebrates the extraordinary locations we have in Europe”, adding that it meant a great deal to see Figueira da Foz recognised for the role it plays in Broken Spies. For her, doing justice to Portuguese landscapes and sharing them with international audiences remains essential, as locations “shape atmosphere, emotion and narrative”.

Ukbar Filmes is also presenting its upcoming historical series La Marquesa this week at the Berlinale Series Market, filmed in Portuguese heritage sites including the Palace of Alorna, continuing the company’s strategy of anchoring projects in distinctive local settings with international appeal.

For the EUFCN, the awards underline how screen production can drive tourism, local employment and international visibility. By celebrating locations that meaningfully contribute to storytelling, the network aims to strengthen collaboration between film commissions, producers and regional authorities across Europe.

The EUFCN Location Awards are organised annually to honour filming locations that play a decisive role in cinematic and television narratives, highlighting both their artistic contribution, and their broader cultural and economic value.