The Risk Is Proximity. The Solution Is Preparedness

GFS Insights - October 2026 Edition

The production does not need to be part of the protest to become part of the disruption. Without the right planning and response measures, civil unrest can quickly affect the routes, services and infrastructure production relies on.  

What we’re seeing 

Across the world, deteriorating social cohesion is fuelling civil unrest, with protests increasingly driven by economic, political and social grievances. These pressures are being compounded by a growing number of people experiencing financial and social hardship as a result of conflict, rising living costs, economic disruption and government policy decisions. 

Importantly, civil unrest is not limited to fragile states. More resilient countries, including France and Germany, have also experienced significant protest activity. In fact, mid-resilience economies accounted for around 70% of global strikes, riots and civil commotion (SRCC) events between 2020 and 2025, highlighting that unrest can emerge even in otherwise stable operating environments. 

ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data) recorded more than 148,000 demonstrations across 197 countries and territories in 2025, marking the third consecutive annual increase in global protest activity. At least 88 countries experienced more demonstrations than in 2024, while counter-demonstrations increased by 33%. 

That pressure has continued into 2026. Analysis reported by Reuters found that global civil unrest reached a six-year high in the second quarter of 2026, with economic pressure, fuel costs, political grievances, elections, public services, and wider geopolitical issues continuing to drive demonstrations in different markets. 

Recent events in France show how quickly civil unrest can become an operational issue. On 17 October 2026, nationwide demonstrations involving hundreds of thousands of people escalated into serious unrest across several cities, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Limoges, with more than 1,200 arrests and over 150 police officers injured. Authorities subsequently introduced targeted curfews and additional security measures as further demonstrations were planned. 

For productions, the important point is that civil unrest does not need to target the production for the production to be affected. 

Why this matters for a production 

A demonstration in the same town, city or even country can quickly change how a production operates. 

Road closures, large crowds, heightened police activity, or sudden changes to public transport can affect: 

• Crew and Talent movements 

• Access to locations and accommodation 

• Unit moves and equipment transport 

• Public-space filming 

• Airport and station transfers 

• Emergency routes and medical response 

• Availability of police and other public services 

Civil unrest can develop quickly and shift between locations with limited warning.  

The risk to a production therefore extends beyond the immediate site of a demonstration. Disruption elsewhere in a city or region can affect transport, access, infrastructure and the movement of cast, crew and equipment.  

The risk is often proximity, not participation. 

Practical controls 

• Maintain access to timely, accurate and location-specific intelligence on planned demonstrations and developing unrest throughout production 

• Assess whether key filming locations, hotels, transport routes, airports and medical facilities could be affected 

• Pre-identify alternative access, movement and evacuation routes where practical 

• Review and adapt the Security Plan where Talent, crew, equipment or public-space filming may be exposed to protest activity or large crowds 

• Ensure emergency contacts, escalation pathways and decision-making responsibilities are clearly defined and remain current 

• Establish business continuity arrangements in advance 

Civil unrest can remain completely unrelated to a production and still materially affect its ability to operate. 

Understanding where disruption may travel next can therefore be as important as understanding where the demonstration itself is taking place.