Amsterdam Becomes Europe’s Video Hub for Global Brands

Amsterdam’s rise as a European video-production centre is no accident. The Dutch capital combines historic charm with state-of-the-art infrastructure. For example, one expert notes that the Netherlands offers “advanced digital infrastructure” with nationwide 5G and even “one of the world’s largest internet hubs (Amsterdam Internet Exchange)”. This high-speed connectivity underpins the city’s media cluster – cities like Amsterdam and nearby Hilversum are “powerhouses of media production,” hosting leading broadcasters and streaming giants. At the same time, Amsterdam’s creative community is vast and diverse. Official sources report “more than 200,000 people from over 20 nationalities” work in the Amsterdam-area creative industries, and the city’s “vibrant creative hub is renowned globally for its excellence”. These artists, designers and filmmakers are continually collaborating on international campaigns, driven by Amsterdam’s inclusive culture, reliable broadband and easy European connections.

A scenic view along one of Amsterdam’s iconic canals. Beyond its picturesque canals, Amsterdam offers world-class facilities for video production. Modern studios in Amsterdam (and nearby cities) support complex shoots, while local suppliers provide high-end cameras, lighting and props. As Invest in Holland reports, the Netherlands’ film ecosystem is exceptionally well-equipped: “soundproof stages with full lighting grids”, green-screen zones and large backlots are available, minimizing setup delays and ensuring fast turnaround. In practice, this means an international brand can plan a shoot in Amsterdam much like at home: the city’s film offices process permits quickly, and local crews handle logistics. Industry guides note that with the right Dutch production partner, a global project comes with “a history of success and local knowledge”. In fact, “brands like Heineken, Shell and Philips often turn to Amsterdam production services for quick and high-end shoots,” one production consultancy reports – a testament to Amsterdam’s reputation for efficient, professional service.

Global Brands Tap Local Talent

International companies increasingly leverage Amsterdam’s talent pool to produce content and cover events. By hiring local crews and fixers, brands save on travel and gain insiders’ expertise. For example, Pro Motion Film – an Amsterdam video production company – specializes in working with global tech firms. This local agency is “trusted by international brands from the UK, US and across Europe”, and its portfolio underscores the city’s appeal. Pro Motion Film has filmed large conferences and interviews for Google and Semrush in Amsterdam, delivering polished highlight reels and social-media edits under tight deadlines. They even routinely coordinate late-night planning calls with New York and London teams, reflecting the seamless collaboration possible across time zones. As the company notes, clients “combine a creative director’s eye with a producer’s reliability,” ensuring fast delivery and clear communication for international shoots.

Local production crew capturing an interview during an Amsterdam event. This on-the-ground partnership is a key advantage. By working with Amsterdam-based crews, brands tap into local language skills and cultural fluency: in practice, Dutch crews easily switch between English, German or French as needed. They also know the best locations (from canal-side vistas to modern offices) and have quick access to talent and equipment. One industry study emphasizes the benefit: “the Netherlands has a deep and diverse talent pool with strong on-screen presence and multilingual fluency,” making casting faster and more inclusive. Local teams even help navigate regulations – for example, international productions benefit from the country’s “efficient administrative structure,” which streamlines visas and filming permits. In short, teaming up with Amsterdam experts lets global brands hit the ground running, with fewer bureaucratic surprises and a built-in network of crews, venues and post-production facilities.

Major Events and Campaigns in Amsterdam

Amsterdam regularly hosts large-scale international events that rely on local production crews. For instance, the 2025 World of Private Label (PLMA) trade show – held at Amsterdam’s RAI conference centre – is projected to draw “more than 30,000 professionals from over 125 countries”. Similarly, tech and media conferences fill the city’s calendar; one local producer notes they have “filmed dozens of events in Amsterdam for international companies like Google, Semrush, and during IBC,” including large conferences and networking gatherings. Even global brand campaigns filmed on location benefit: Amsterdam’s unique look (historic canal houses, modern architecture) appears in ads and videos by Dutch and foreign agencies alike. For example, international series like Netflix’s iHostage recreated Amsterdam settings, and multinational firms often shoot commercials along the canals or in creative studio lofts.

These collaborations help bring global content to life. At the recent Semrush Summit in Amsterdam, a 12-member local crew captured keynotes and interviews for 1,200 attendees, producing an event highlights video plus dozens of social clips within days. Likewise, during a Google customer event in the city, local filmmakers produced a main highlight reel and multiple testimonial videos on-site. Even in the blockchain space, Dutch crews filmed highlight videos for ETHGlobal hackathons in Amsterdam. In each case, the brands retained creative control while leveraging Amsterdam’s resources – from fast internet for live streaming to world-class audio recording studios.

Local Expertise: Logistical and Creative Advantages

Working with Amsterdam-based production teams offers clear logistical and creative benefits:

• Local knowledge and resources: Experienced fixers and agencies in the Netherlands handle permits, location scouting and city regulations efficiently. In practice, foreign crews find it easy – one guide notes that using a local fixer provides “seamless access to public and private properties without delays”. The city’s Film Office and event specialists speed up approvals, keeping projects on schedule.

• Speed and reliability: Local teams can mobilize quickly and adapt to changes. Pro Motion Film reports that they often deliver complete event videos and photography “within days” of filming. Similarly, Amsterdam’s crews regularly work “night-owl schedules” with overseas partners, so nothing is lost in time-zone gaps.

• State-of-the-art facilities: Amsterdam offers top-tier studios, green screens and equipment. Industry sources note that Amsterdam studios are “widely used by major … production teams,” with full lighting rigs and motion-capture zones. These high-tech facilities enable complex shoots – from corporate interviews to music videos – all within the city.

• International collaboration: The Netherlands’ multicultural workforce and English-friendly environment make coordination easy. Amsterdam’s creative community thrives on “visionary collaboration,” according to city officials. Global marketing and ad agencies (like Wieden+Kennedy and MediaMonks) are already based here, proving that international projects can be launched seamlessly from Amsterdam. This cosmopolitan mix often sparks more innovative ideas, as local designers and directors bring fresh perspectives to global briefs.

One of the event videos:

https://vimeo.com/1145900453

By leveraging these advantages, brands get both efficiency and authenticity. Productions avoid the complexity of moving a full crew abroad – instead they hire trusted local experts who know the city intimately. Logistically, this means faster set-up, well-connected supply chains (for catering, props, etc.) and minimal downtime. Creatively, it means tapping into Amsterdam’s unique aesthetic and storytelling style. The result is content that feels both global in quality and locally grounded in spirit.

Final words

Amsterdam’s combination of infrastructure, talent and culture has made it a go-to video-production hub for international companies. Local companies like Amsterdam video production company Pro Motion Film – which is “trusted by international brands” – embody this trend by producing high-end event videos and interviews on schedule. From global trade shows and tech conferences to branded content campaigns, Amsterdam’s creative community is ready to bring any international event to life. For businesses considering Europe as a production base, Amsterdam offers a compelling mix of advantages – and a proven track record of making big ideas look their best.