Yemen 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 Yemen? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Yemen
For an introduction to shooting in Yemen 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.
Yemen Film Locations
Yemen is a country located on the southwest coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is famous for its ancient ornately decorated high-rise mud brick buildings, old mosques, souqs, mountainous terrain, and beautiful coastline. Yemen is one of the most beautiful and least filmed countries in the world.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of coffee, khat, corn, wheat, barley, and a variety of fruits. Traditional fishing boats are available for filming. Yemen mines oil, and gas. Energy locations include oil and gas fired power plants.
Yemen has hosted productions including Life (2009), and Arabian Nights (1974).
Film locations can be divided into the following governorates: Abyan, Aden, Al Bayda, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Amanat Al Asimah (Sanaa City), ‘Amran, Dhale, Dhamar, Hadramaut, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma’rib, Raymah, Sa’dah, Sana’a, Shabwah, Socotra, and Taiz.
Sana’a is the capital, the largest city, and main entry point by air. The city sits at the high alititude of 2,250 m (7,382 ft). Sana’a is best known for its unique traditional high rise tower houses. Film locations of note include the Old City, Ghumdan Palace, Gate of Yemen, Al Saleh Mosque, Great Mosque of Sanaʽa, Salt Market, National Museum of Yemen, Military Museum, Sana’a University, Althawra Sports City Stadium, and Sanaa International Airport. Dar Alhajar, located just outside of Sana’a is a former royal palace.
Other ancient cities and towns of interest include Aden, Zabid, Hababah, Tarim, Al Hudaydah, Al-Hajarayn, Al-Khurayba, Haid Al-Jazil, Al-Quwayrah, Khaylla, Sa’dah, Shibam, and Jiblah.
Seiyun Palace is located in Seiyun.
Al-Ashrafiya Mosque is located in Taiz.
Al-Mihdar Mosque is located in Tarim.
Barran Temple, and Awwam Temple are Sabaean temples located near Ma’rib.
Al-Waizi Fortress is one of the old fortresses in Al-Mukalla.
The Hadda Mountain region has several picturesque villages and orchards growing peaches, apricots, almonds, walnuts, and khat.
Jabal Hadhur is the country’s highest mountain.
Socotra Island offers a beautiful landscape ranging from the rugged Haggier Mountains to white sand surf beaches. The island is rich in biodiversity and is home to the unique Dragon’s Blood Tree and Socotra Desert Rose. Detwah Lagoon is a Ramsar Site. Life (2009) filmed on Socotra Island.
The Red Sea and Arabian Sea offer impressive underwater photography opportunities.
Yemen Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Unauthorised photography of sensitive government buildings and public infrastructure, is illegal. Penalties may include confiscation of film equipment, arrest, or fines. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Yemen has 3 climatic zones. The southern coastal zone is hot and humid with very little rainfall. The central highlands are hot in the summer, very cold in the winter, and rainy during the monsoon periods. The northern regions are very hot and dry. May to September experience monsoonal rains and intense summer heat. On the whole, the best months to film for weather and for underwater photography conditions are between October and April. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Yemen is a predominately Muslim country. Many services shut during Ramadan.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Yemen.
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. Locations, local talent and support crew are inexpensive but since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Our Yemeni fixer will negotiate local 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 Yemen.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Yemen has a very small local pool of directors, videographers and stills photographers. Key crew must be brought in from abroad. Yemen’s close proximity to Dubai 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 Yemen.
Talent day rates and buyouts reasonable and negotiated on a personal basis. Street casting is often required due to lack of local casting facilities.
Arabic is the official language.
Arabs are the main ethnic group. Minorities include Afro-Arabs, South Asians, and Caucasians. All other talent needs to be brought in from abroad.
Yemen Film Equipment
Equipment. Best to bring in your equipment from abroad. Some basic camera, grip or lighting equipment available locally.
Communications. Internet is slow and unreliable outside of major population centres.
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 basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Western passport holders must apply for a visa to enter Yemen. See here if you are a US passport holder looking to travel to Yemen. Contact your local Yemeni embassy or representative for more information.
Filmmakers, photographers and journalists who expect to travel to the United States in the future ought to also bear in mind the possible repercussions of having a Yemeni visa stamped in their passport.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure is quite basic with roads overall in a poor condition. Our Yemeni fixer organizes safe and reliable 4WD transportation. Several international airlines service flights to Yemen. The international airport is located in Aden.
Accommodation. Film friendly hotels in Sana’a include:
Moevenpick Hotel Sanaa
Sheraton Hotel Sanaa
Sheba Hotel
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. Try traditional local dishes such as saltah, shafoot, zhoug, masoub, maraq, madfoon, or mandi.
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 Yemen, please see below:
Hire Yemen Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Yemen, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Yemen, 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.
