Bahrain 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 Bahrain? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Bahrain
For an introduction to shooting in Bahrain 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.
Bahrain Film Locations
The Kingdom of Bahrain is located in the Persian Gulf. It is a flat and arid country comprising of a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. No permanent rivers or streams exist on any of the islands. Compared to other countries, the beaches and desert looks are not particularly photogenic.
Agricultural film locations include farms that produce tomatoes, dates, bananas, citrus fruits, mangoes, pomegranates, and alfalfa. Camels and horses are bred for racing. The country produces oil, gas, and aluminium. Islamic banking is the other economic mainstay. Energy locations include gas fired power plants.
The Amazing Race 30 (2018), and Ajnabee (2001) filmed in Bahrain.
The country is divided into four Governorates: the Capital, Northern, Southern and Muharraq.
Manama is the capital and largest city. It is known for its modern city skyline, Bahrain National Museum, National Theatre of Bahrain, Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Al Khamis Mosque, Gudaibiya Mosque, Al-Qudaibiya Palace, Bahrain Fort, Arad Fort, Siyadi House, Isa bin Ali House, Bahrain World Trade Center, Bab Al-Bahrain, National Stadium, Khalifa Sports City Stadium, University of Bahrain, Bahrain International Airport, and the man-made Amwaj Islands.
Bahrain International Circuit is a Formula One Grand Prix circuit that is available for filming.
The Tree of Life is a 400 year old Prosopis cineraria tree located in the middle of a desert landscape.
For underwater photography the country has a submerged 747 plane.
The King Fahd Causeway is a series of bridges and causeways connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Bahrain Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Bahrain receives very little rain throughout the year. Bahrain has two seasons, an extremely hot summer (April to October) and a mild winter (November to March). Winter is the best time to film for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
• The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix is held in March or April.
Most festivals are based on the Islamic calendar, including Muharram, Ashura, Milad Al Nabi, Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Bahrain.
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. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Dubai is the closest major film production centre. For local costs our Bahraini fixer / producer will negotiate deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Bahrain.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Bahrain has a very small pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Key crew should be brought in from abroad. Dubai is the closest place with a good depth of professional crews.
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 Bahrain.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.
Bahraini’s are ethnically Arab. Immigrants from South and Southeast Asia make up the majority of the country’s population. All other talent is best cast abroad. Dubai is the closest place for a good selection of multicultural talent.
Bahrain Film Equipment
Equipment. Basic lighting, grip and RED camera package available locally. Additional equipment is best brought in from Dubai. For productions intending to bring in equipment Bahrain 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 comes from Dubai and is of a relatively high standard.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. None available locally. Dubai is the closest place with a variety of post facilities.
Visas & Work Permits
Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Crews arriving on Western passport can obtain a visa on arrival. Check to see if you are eligible for an E-visas. Journalists must have a journalism visa. Bahrain also offers free 2 week visas for the F1 Grand Prix. Contact your local Bahraini embassy or representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Road travel is generally safe. Highways and major roads in northern Bahrain are wide and well maintained. Several international airlines service flights to Bahrain.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Bahrain include:
Ritz-Carlton
Moevenpick
The Regency
Kempinski
Marriot
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Head to Manama Souq for a meal at a traditional restaurant. Local cuisine of note includes samboosa, machboos, emmawash, baid tamat, kabeb bahraini, ghoozi, thareed, keema, and balaleet.
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 Bahrain, please see below:
Hire Bahrain Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Bahrain, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Bahrain, 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.
