Green Storytelling on Location TIROL

Tirol – A Filming Location with History

For decades, Tirol has been a sought-after filming destination thanks to its diverse landscapes, excellent accessibility, and iconic natural backdrops. In recent productions, however, the alpine region serves as more than just a setting: nature becomes a narrative force, a moral presence, and an identity space for the characters. Three recent productions – Woodwalkers, Woodwalkers 2, and the LandKrimi Schnee von gestern – exemplify how contemporary Green Storytelling on location in Tirol is brought to life authentically, across genres, and deeply rooted in the landscape.

What is Green Storytelling?

Green Storytelling is a form of cinematic storytelling in which nature is not just a backdrop but actively shapes the story. Landscapes influence characters, conflicts, and decisions; they enhance moods, reflect inner processes, and make ecological connections narratively tangible.

Green Storytelling can manifest on several levels: through deliberate dramaturgical choices that consider sustainable production practices, through visual language and character behavior that normalize environmentally conscious actions, and through stories in which topics such as climate change, biodiversity, or resource use are central to the plot.

The goal is not to create an idealized picture of nature, but a nuanced reflection on the relationship between humans and the environment – harmonious, conflictual, or ambivalent. Tirol provides a rich resonance space for this, ranging from high alpine terrain to quiet valleys and even modern infrastructure.

Woodwalkers & Woodwalkers 2 – Nature as Identity and Responsibility

In the fantasy adaptations Woodwalkers and Woodwalkers 2, Tirol serves as the setting for a magical story in which nature is more than just habitat: it is part of the characters’ identity. The protagonists (half-human, half-animal) must actively protect their threatened environment. Green Storytelling becomes tangible here, as the characters take responsibility to safeguard their world from destruction and exploitation. Protecting their habitat is a central element of the narrative, conveying ecological values through identification, community, and initiative – without ever feeling didactic.

Filming took place at several locations across Tirol. Click here for more information on the filming locations of the Woodwalkers series!

Woodwalkers is an international co-production by blue eyes Fiction, STUDIOCANAL, DOR FILM, and Filmvergnügen (South Tyrol), supported by the Austrian Film Institute, ÖFI+, Cine Tirol, and other partners.

Woodwalkers 2 is an international co-production by blue eyes Fiction, STUDIOCANAL, DOR FILM, Filmvergnügen (South Tyrol), and Potemkino, with support from the Austrian Film Institute, ÖFI+, Cine Tirol, and additional partners.

🍿 Woodwalkers: Available on Netflix ➡️ Watch the trailer

🍿 Woodwalkers 2: In cinemas from January 29, 2026 ➡️ Watch the trailer

LandKrimi Schnee von gestern – Landscape as a Mirror of Society

The LandKrimi Schnee von gestern interprets the role of the landscape in a fundamentally different way. Here, nature is not magical but emotionally charged and closely entwined with societal tensions. The winter terrain, isolation, and technical interventions (e.g., snowmaking systems) create a tense, immersive atmosphere.

At the center of the story is the mysterious death of an environmental councilor, whose body is found in a reservoir of a snowmaking facility. Beneath the surface, the film subtly but powerfully engages with ecological questions: rising temperatures, diminishing snow, and attempts to manage structural challenges through unsustainable methods form a recurring motif throughout the plot.

Filming took place in Kals/Großdorf, Schlaiten, Lienz, and Innervillgraten in East Tirol, as well as Innsbruck. Tirol’s landscapes become a mirror of societal realities – always authentic and never artificially enhanced.

LandKrimi Schnee von gestern is a co-production by ORF, ZDF, and DOR FILM, with support from FISA+, Fernsehfonds Austria, and Cine Tirol.

🍿 LandKrimi Schnee von gestern: TV premiere on January 20, 2026, on ORF 1 and streaming on ORF ON ➡️ Watch the trailer

Sustainability – On and Off Camera

At DOR FILM, Green Storytelling goes beyond narrative choice. Behind the camera, the production company prioritizes resource-efficient practices, CO₂ reduction, and ecological standards – guided by a dedicated Green Producer overseeing the entire production process. All three productions received a Green Bonus, highlighting the combination of environmental storytelling and sustainable filmmaking practices.

DOR FILM is one of Austria’s leading production companies, successfully combining mainstream formats with a clear commitment to content, space, and responsibility.

Lukas Zweng, producer at DOR FILM:
„Austria offers many outstanding natural filming locations, providing exceptional creative potential for our projects. Nature always embodies an impressive power, reminding us how small we are. Standing beside a towering mountain or a roaring waterfall, you quickly feel part of something greater – and it helps keep oneself in perspective. Tirol has all of this and more. Its breathtaking landscapes are equally powerful on TV and especially in cinema. The Woodwalkers series and Schnee von gestern tell stories where nature plays the leading role.“

💚 Learn more about the Green Bonus at the Austrian Film Institute

💚 Learn more about the Green Bonus at FISAplus

Tirol – A Space for Contemporary Storytelling

Green Storytelling on location in Tirol doesn’t mean making stories artificially “greener.” It’s about telling them more authentically and sustainably. It combines landscape, narrative, and a conscious approach to ecological topics – supported by a mindset that is evident behind the camera as well.

These productions demonstrate the range of this cinematic approach, from fantastical adventures to nuanced explorations of real-world societal challenges. Tirol provides not just spectacular scenery, but a multidimensional space for contemporary, responsible storytelling.