Sweden Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews

Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Sweden? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in Sweden

For an introduction to shooting in Sweden see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.

Sweden Film Locations

Sweden is known for its cities, castles, museums, contemporary Scandinavian architecture, coastal islands, thousands of lakes, vast boreal forests, snow-covered mountains, and national parks.

Agricultural film locations include dairy farms and fields of wheat, barley and oats. Timber is harvested with pulp mills available for filming. Sweden mines iron ore, copper, and gold. Swedish factories produce iron and steel, as well as high-tech automobile, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, industrial machines, precision equipment, and chemical products. Energy locations include nuclear power plants, hydroelectric plants, and wind power facilities.

Sweden has hosted productions including Border (2018), Borg vs. McEnroe (2017), The Amazing Race 25 (2014), Kon-Tiki (2012), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), Melancholia (2011), The Amazing Race 17 (2010), The Amazing Race 15 (2009), Let the Right One In (2008), Dogville (2003), Dancer in the Dark (2000), Independence Day (1996), and The Seventh Seal (1957).

Film locations can be divided into three geographic regions:

Svealand

This central region includes the provinces of Dalarna, Närke, Södermanland, Uppland, Värmland, and Västmanland.

Stockholm is the capital, the largest city, and main production service centre for crew, equipment and talent. The city is known for its old-world and modern architecture, museums, parks, busy waterways, and elaborately decorated subway system. Film locations of interest include Gamla Stan Old Town, Royal Palace, Riddarholmen Church, Great Synagogue of Stockholm, Storkyrkan, Parliament House, Stockholm City Hall, Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm Public Library, House of Nobility, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm Observatory, Ulriksdal Palace, Karlberg Palace, Rosendal Palace, Sergels torg, Royal National City Park, Bergian Garden, Kungsträdgården, SkyView Globe, Gröna Lund, Katarina Elevator, and trendy Östermalm district. Stockholm museums of note include the Skansen outdoor museum, Moderna Museet, Museum of Natural History, Nordic Museum, ABBA Museum, Vasa Museum, Nobel Prize Museum, Swedish History Museum, Museum of Medieval Stockholm, The Hallwyl Museum, Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology, Fotografiska, Army Museum, and Maritime Museum. Stockholm Arlanda Airport is home to the Jumbo Hostel, a decommissioned 747-200 jetliner. R1 Nuclear Reactor is a defunct location available for film projects. Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the Swedish royal family. The Chinese Pavilion is located on the palace grounds.

Uppsala is a city near Stockholm known for Uppsala Cathedral, Uppsala University campus, Uppsala Castle, and Skokloster Castle.

Other castles of note in this region include Gripsholm Castle, Venngarn Castle, Steninge Palace, Örebro Castle, and Bogesund Castle.

Borg vs. McEnroe (2017) filmed in Södertälje.

Villa Överby in Värmdö is a beautiful modern home that featured in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011).

Märket Island is an interesting lighthouse island location with the Swedish / Finnish border running through the middle.

Kapellskär is a port that was filmed for Border (2018).

Dalhalla is an open air theatre located in a former limestone quarry.

Ski resorts in this regions include Sälen, Stöten, Branäs, Idre Fjäll, Romme Alpin.

Svealand’s national parks of note include Ängsö, Färnebofjärden, Fulufjället, Garphyttan, Töfsingdalen, and Tyresta.

Götaland

This southern region includes the provinces of Blekinge, Bohuslän, Dalsland, Gotland, Halland, Skåne, Småland, Västergötland, Öland, and Östergötland.

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden. The Haga district has traditional wood buildings and cobbled streets. Other film locations of note include Lindholmen Science Park, Universeum, Volvo Museum, Gunnebo House, Feskekörka market hall, Gothenburg Botanical Garden, Horticultural Society palm greenhouse, and Liseberg amusement park. Borg vs. McEnroe (2017) filmed in Gothenburg. Ullevi Stadium hosted 1958 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1992, and 1995 World Athletics Championships.

The Göta Canal connects Gothenburg in the west and Söderköping in the east.

The Gothenburg Archipelago consists of more than 20 islands including Hönö Island, Strysö Island, Donsö Island, Brännö Island, and Vinga Island which has a picturesque lighthouse.

Pater Noster is a spectacular lighthouse location on Hamneskär Island.

Helsingborg is home to Sofiero Castle, Pålsjö Castle, Kulla Gunnarstorp Castle, Helsingborg City Hall, Kärnan medieval tower, and the Museum of Failure.

Trollhättan was filmed for Melancholia (2011), Dogville (2003), and Dancer in the Dark (2000).

Tjolöholm Castle featured in Kon-Tiki (2012), and Melancholia (2011).

Other castles of note in Götaland include Kalmar Castle, Läckö Castle, Christinehof Castle, Marsvinsholm Castle, Hjularod Castle, Kronovall Castle, Teleborg Castle, Torup Castle, Tosterup Castle, Trolle-Ljungby Castle, Trolleholm Castle, Vrams Gunnarstorp Castle, Vittskövle Castle, Vadstena Castle, and Trollenas Castle.

Visby is a beautiful medieval city located on Gotland Island.

Gullholmen is a charming island town.

Malmö is known for Santiago Calatrava’s Twisting Torso building, Malmö Castle, Saint Peter’s Church, and Lilla Torg. Oresund Bridge links Malmö in Sweden to Copenhagen in Denmark.

Lund is known for Lund University, and Lund Cathedral.

Foteviken is a Viking era re-enactment village located in Höllviken.

Yangtorp Sanctuary is a Chinese meditation centre in Jönstorp.

Hovs Hallar was filmed for the famous seaside chess scene in The Seventh Seal (1957).

Trollskogen, located in Borgholm, is an old forest of gnarled windswept pines.

Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant is the country’s largest nuclear power plant.

National parks of note include Blå Jungfrun, Dalby Söderskog, Djurö, Gotska Sandön, Kosterhavet, Norra Kvill, Söderåsen, Stenshuvud, Store Mosse, Tiveden, and Tresticklan.

Norrland

This northern region includes the provinces of Ångermanland, Gästrikland, Hälsingland, Härjedalen, Jämtland, Lappland, Medelpad, Norrbotten, and Västerbotten.

Swedish Lapland is famous for its Arctic tundra wilderness of mountains, forests, glacial rivers and lakes. Norrland experiences the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and Midnight Sun.

Kiruna is Sweden’s northernmost town. It is known for the Ice Hotel, Kiruna Iron Ore Mine, and Esrange Space Center.

The defunct Forsby-Köping Limestone Cableway is located in Forsby.

The Tree Hotel is located in Harads.

Let the Right One In (2008) filmed in Luleå.

Gammelstad is a well preserved Scandinavian church town.

Ski resort in this region include Åre, Vemdalen, Tärnaby-Hemavan, Ramundberget, and Lofsdalen.

National Parks of note include Abisko, Björnlandet, Hamra, Haparanda Archipelago, Muddus, Padjelanta, Pieljekaise, Sånfjället, Sarek, Stora Sjöfallets, Skuleskogen, and Vadvetjåkka. Wildlife of note include elk, lynx, wolverine and the endangered Arctic fox.

Sweden Film Location Permits

Filming b-roll in Stockholm does not require permits as long as you are not asserting exclusive use of public space or interfering with trade. More complicated shoots that require street closures, laying track, large lights and builds, police assistance, use of weapon and pyrotechnics, or aerial filming can take up to 4 weeks to permit so allow plenty of lead time. Smaller shoots take about 5 days to permit. Our fixer / service producer can help clear a location for copyright permission, if required. Please contact us for location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Sweden has bitterly cold winters especially farther north. Summers have long daylight hours and can be hot in the south. July and August are the best months to film warm, sunny weather. Above the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun can be seen between mid-May and mid-June. The best time for filming the Aurora Borealis is between September and March. For monthly weather statistics please see here. 

Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:

• Midsommarafton in June,
• Malmo Festival in August,
• Julmarknad Christmas Market in November / December,
• Nobel Prize Awards in December.

Many Swedes are non-religious. Christianity is the largest religion, so those holidays are observed.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Sweden.

Unique Local Stories

Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.

If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.

If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.

Costs & Tax Incentives

Costs. Sweden is a relatively expensive place to shoot. In particular, Stockholm hotels and restaurants are very expensive by world standards. Sweden trades in the Swedish Krona. Our Swedish service producer / fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget. See here for the current VAT rate.

Tax Incentives. Sweden offers a country-wide 25% rebate on local qualified spending. Western Sweden has a 30% rebate for eligible international film and TV productions.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. Sweden has a small but very professional pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Local crews are of the highest international standard. Sweden has a good depth of key and support crew that speak fluent English.

Contact us if you are looking for a Stockholm based director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Sweden.

Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.

Swedish is the official language. English is widely spoken.

Swedes are the main ethnic group. There are also large communities from other European countries and the Middle East. Sami reindeer herders are an indigenous people living in Lapland. All other talent looks are best brought in from abroad.

Sweden Film Equipment

Equipment. Sweden has a range of digital and film camera options, camera cars and mounts, Steadicam, and a good depth of lighting and grip equipment. Some specialized equipment may need to be brought in from abroad. For productions looking to bring in film equipment Sweden is an ATA carnet country.

Communications. In terms of communications, Sweden has one of the fastest internet speeds in the world.

Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.

Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.

For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.

Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production

Art department and set construction is of a very high standard. Set construction is on the expensive side.

Studios and backlots. Sweden offers a variety of facilities accommodating a range of productions. Contact us for studio recommendations that best suit your project.

Post Production. Sweden offers a very high standard of post production facilities. Contact us for recommendations.

Visas & Work Permits

Sweden is a member of the Schengen Area. Crews travelling on US passports can enter Sweden visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Work permits are not required to film in Sweden.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure. Roads are up to international standards. Sweden also has an extensive rail and airport network. Several international and budget airlines service flights to Sweden.

Accommodation. Contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Stockholm. For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.

Final Notes

Safety. Sweden is a very safe place for foreign productions to visit. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. Try some moose cheese.

Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Sweden, please see below:

Hire Sweden Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Sweden, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Sweden, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.

We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.