Morocco 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 Morocco? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Morocco
For an introduction to shooting in Morocco 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.
Morocco Film Locations
Morocco is a North African country on the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The country is steeped in Berber, Arab and European cultural influences. It is blessed with a diversity of locations ranging from ancient souks to modern luxury, from beautiful beaches to desert landscapes.
Morocco’s reputation as a safe and relatively liberal country makes it a popular location for filming North African and Middle Eastern looks. Morocco doubled for Iraq in Thank You for Your Service (2017) and American Sniper (2014), Kenya in Inception (2010), Somalia in Captain Phillips (2013) and Black Hawk Down (2001), the Himalayas in Kundun (1997), the Roman Empire in Gladiator (2000), Egypt in The Mummy (1999), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and the Ottoman Empire in Lawrence of Arabia (1962).
Agricultural film locations include fields of wheat, barley, sugarcane, olives, tangerines, argan oil, and cannabis. Commercial fishing vessels are available for filming. Industrial locations include phosphates, silver and lead mines, as well as textile and automobile factories. Energy locations include thermal power plants, hydroelectric dams, solar and wind power plants.
Morocco has hosted productions including Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024), Napoleon (2023), The Forgiven (2021), Black Widow (2021), Mosul (2019), Game of Thrones (2011-2019), Thank You for Your Service (2017), Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (2016), Spectre (2015), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), American Sniper (2014), Captain Phillips (2013), Contagion (2011), Inception (2010), Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), Babel (2006), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Black Hawk Down (2001), Gladiator (2000), The Mummy (1999), Kundun (1997), and Lawrence of Arabia (1962), to name but a few.
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima
This region is located in the far northwest of the country on the Strait of Gibraltar, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Tangier is a port city located on the Strait of Gibraltar. Film locations include the Dar al-Makhzen royal palace, Grand Socco, Kasbah Museum, Tangier American Legation Museum, Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport, Tangier Railway Station, Plaza de Toros, and Ibn Batouta Stadium. Tangier hosted productions such as Black Widow (2021), Spectre (2015), Inception (2010), and The Bourne Ultimatum (2007).
Chefchaouen is known for its white-washed winding alleys, blue doors, and olive trees.
Cape Spartel is known for the Caves of Hercules, and the Cape Spartel Lighthouse.
Al Hoceima National Park, and Talassemtane National Park are beautiful film locations.
Mediterranean Morocco is known for its agricultural locations including wheat, barley, sugarcane and olive production. The area is also known for hashish, of which Morocco is the world’s largest exporter.
Asilah is a whitewashed coastal town known for its medina and Portuguese colonial architecture.
Oriental
The Oriental region is located in the far northeast of the country on the Mediterranean Sea.
Figuig is a beautiful oasis location.
Fès-Meknès
This inland region is located in the northeast of the country.
Fes’s medina is one of the best preserved in the Arab world. The city is famous for its leather tanneries with Chouara Tannery being the largest. Film locations of note in Fes include Bou Inania Madrasa, Al-Attarine Madrasa, Bab Bou Jeloud, Zawiya of Moulay Idris II, Funduq al-Najjarin, Dar al-Makhzen, Borj Nord, Ibn Danan Synagogue, Marinid Tombs, Jnan Sbil Gardens, Fes Railway station, and Fes Stadium. The University of al-Qarawiyyin is one of the world’s oldest centres of learning.
Meknes is known for Bab Mansour, Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, Lahdim Square, and the Royal Stables. A short drive from Meknes you can find the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Ifrane National Park is one of the few remaining habitats of the Barbary macaque.
Tazekka National Park is also located in this region.
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
This northern region is located on the Atlantic Ocean.
Rabat is Morocco’s capital. Film locations include the Parliament of Morocco, Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, El Mechouar Essaid Palace, Kasbah of the Udayas, Bab El Had, Bab er-Rouah, Dar al-Makhzen, Andalusian Gardens, Rabat Lighthouse, Chellah Necropolis, Central Post Office, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat Ville Railway Station, and Salé Airport. Rabat hosted productions including Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and Black Hawk Down (2001).
Béni Mellal-Khénifra
This inland region is located in the northeast of the country.
The Ouzoud Falls are a beautiful film location in this region.
Casablanca-Settat
This northern region is located on the Atlantic Ocean.
Casablanca is Morocco’s main film production centre where crew and equipment are based. Hassan II Mosque is arguably the most well known location in Morocco. Other film locations of note include La Corniche, The Old Medina, Central Market, Casablanca Cathedral, Notre-Dame de Lourdes Church, Arab League Park, King’s Palace, Cinema Rialto, Grand Stade de Casablanca, Mohammed V International Airport, and Casablanca Tramway. Cactus Thiemann is a vast cactus farm just outside of Casablanca. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), Contagion (2011), and Babel (2006).
Marrakech-Safi
This northern region is located on the Atlantic Ocean.
Marrakech film locations of note include El Badi Palace, Jemaa el-Fnaa, Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Madrasa, Almoravid Koubba, Bab Agnaou, Menara Gardens, Agdal Gardens, Place des Ferblantiers, Le Jardin Secret, Marrakech Museum, Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Souk Semmarine, Marrakech Menara Airport, Marrakech Railway Station, Marrakech City Hall, and Marrakech tanneries. Marrakech is also knowns for its hammams. Marrakech doubled for Mosul in Mosul (2019). Other productions that shot in Marrakech include Game of Thrones (2011-2019), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and The Mummy (1999).
Tinmel is a mosque in the High Atlas Mountains.
Jebel Toubkal, situated in the High Atlas Mountains, is the highest peak in North Africa. Oukaïmeden is a ski resort in the High Atlas Mountains.
Tizi n’Tichka is a mountain pass offer winding roads through a vast arid mountain landscape, an ideal setting for car commercials.
Essaouira is a whitewashed coastal city.
Drâa-Tafilalet
This inland region is located in the northeast of the country.
Shooting the Sahara sand dunes requires basing in Ouarzazate and another 4.5 hours drive to location.
Near Ouarzazate, the Atlas Film Studios are home to abandoned old weathered movie sets that were filmed for Game of Thrones (2011-2019), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), and Gladiator (2000).
Aït-Ben-Haddou is an impressive fortified village that featured in Game of Thrones (2011-2019).
Taourirt Kasbah, Telouet Kasbah, Tifoultoute Kasbah are historic locations.
The Todgha Gorge, and Dades Gorge are spectacular film locations.
Noor Complex Solar Power Plant is one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world.
The Tinfou Dunes, Erg Chebbi, and Erg Chigaga, are large sand dunes.
Erfoud is an oasis town on that edge of the Sahara Desert that is well set up as a hub for desert filming with a local experienced support team of everyone from drivers, to camel herders, and props specialists. Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (2016) filmed in Erfoud.
Souss-Massa
This centrally located region is located on the Atlantic Ocean.
The Anti-Atlas is a sparsely inhabited desolate world of rocky outcrops and lunar landscapes.
Imsouane is known for its beautiful remote beaches and surf spots.
Agadir is known for Plage d’Agadir and the Agadir Medina.
Souss-Massa National Park is the breeding ground of the northern bald ibis.
Iriqui National Park is also located in this region.
The town of Tamri is known for its tree climbing goats.
Guelmim-Oued Noun
This centrally located region is located on the Atlantic Ocean.
The region is known for its arid desert locations and miles of empty Atlantic beaches.
Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra
This southern region is located on the Atlantic Ocean.
Morocco administers the territory of Western Sahara. The Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region is the northern part of Western Sahara.
Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab
This far south region is located on the Atlantic Ocean.
The Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region is the southern part of Western Sahara.
Morocco Film Location Permits
A shooting permit issued by the Moroccan Cinematographic Center is required for filming in Morocco. Additional location permits may be required for specific locations. Please contact us for more location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Morocco offers long, sunny shoot days all year round. Coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate. Inland areas are hot and dry. Winter runs from December to April with rain in the north and snow on the High Atlas Mountains in the south. Summer runs from June to September with temperatures reaching extreme highs in the southern desert regions. Spring (March through May) is the best time to film for weather and lush green landscapes. Fall (September to December) is also a good time to shoot for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Moroccan festivals and events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Almond Blossom Festival in the Ameln Valley in February / March.
• International Nomads Festival in M’hamid in March / April.
• International Nomads Festival in M’hamid in March / April.
• Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) in April.
• Moussem of Sidi Abdallah ibn Hassoun, in Salé, on the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday.
• Rose Festival, in Dadès Valley, in May.
• The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in June.
• Gnaoua World Music Festival, in Essaouira, in June.
• Moussem of Ben Aïssa, in Meknes, in June.
• Tanjazz, in Tangier, in June.
• Festival of World Sacred Music, in Fes, in July.
• International Cultural Festival, Asilah, in July.
• Marrakech Popular Arts Festival in July.
• Setti Fatma Moussem in August.
• The Imichil Marriage Festival in September.
• The Erfoud Date Festival in October.
• Festival International du Film de Marrakech in December.
Morocco is a predominately Muslim country. Ramadan is widely observed with many services limited or closed during this period.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Morocco.
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. By world standards Morocco is a very cost competitive place to shoot. Our Moroccan service producer / fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. Morocco offers a 20% cash rebate. To be eligible, visiting productions are required to spend at least USD 1 million and the project must run at least 18 working days.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Morocco has a small pool of local directors, videographers and stills photographers. There is a growing pool of experienced supporting crew although many productions still bring in their own key crew. It’s a good idea to have a local Arabic-speaking AD for projects with a large crew and talent size. Morocco’s close proximity to major European production centres allows easy access to those crews should you ever need to look further.
Contact us if you are looking for a 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 Morocco.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable. Day rates are very reasonable and negotiated on a personal basis.
Arabic and Berber are the official languages. French is also spoken, particularly in the cities.
Moroccans are of Berber or mixed Arab-Berber decent. Morocco’s relatively close proximity to major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of talent should you ever need to look further. Talent agencies exist in Casablanca.
Morocco Film Equipment
Equipment. Morocco has all of the standard camera, grip and lighting equipment based locally. Specialised gear needs to be brought in from abroad. For productions looking to bring in film equipment Morocco is an ATA carnet country.
Communications. 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 very good and a fraction of the cost of filming in Western Europe or the United States.
Studios of note include Atlas Studios, Cinedina Studios and CLA Studios.
Backlots. At present no backlots exist in Morocco.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Crews travelling on Western passports can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Contact your local Moroccan embassy / representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Casablanca can be quite congested. A high speed railway connects Tangiers to Casablanca. Modern highways link the major cities. Rural roads are subject to flooding during the rainy season. Our Moroccan fixer / service producer organises safe and reliable 4WD transport for off-road travel. Domestic and international flights are available with several major airlines and budget carriers servicing Morocco.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Morocco include:
Casablanca:
Sofitel
Hotel & Spa Le Doge
Marrakech:
Kasbah Tamadot
Hotel La Renaissance
Palais Rhoul
Ksar Char-Bagh
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. On the whole Morocco is a safe place to shoot. While accommodating in a desert camp area, safety by local gendarmerie and / or military is provided. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Visit a Moroccan Hammam. Try local cuisine such as rfissa, harira, pastilla, seffa, mrouzia, mechoui, and couscous.
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 Morocco, please see below:
Hire Morocco Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Morocco, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Morocco, 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.
