San Marino 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 San Marino? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in San Marino
For an introduction to shooting in San Marino 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.
San Marino Film Locations
San Marino is a landlocked microstate surrounded by north-central Italy. It is the third smallest country in Europe. The landscape is marked by hills, pine forests, vineyards, and fortresses.
Agricultural film locations include vineyards and cheese production. Financial services are the economic mainstay.
Film locations can be divided into the following municipalities: Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, and Serravalle.
The city of San Marino is the capital and largest population centre. The neo-gothic Palazzo Pubblico is the town hall and seat of government. Other film locations of note include Piazza della Liberta, Museo di Stato, Maranello Rosso Ferrari Museum, Museum of Curiosities, and the neo-classical Basilica di San Marino. The Funavia is a cable car that offers filmmakers and photographers sweeping city views.
The city is overlooked by three fortresses. Guaita Tower is an iconic fortress perched on Monte Titano. Castello Cesta is the second fortress, and Montale is the third.
San Marino has little to no film infrastructure. Rome and Milan are the closest major production centres.
San Marino Film Location Permits
San Marino has a film friendly and streamlined permitting process. There are no extraordinary restrictions or rules. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
San Marino’s climate is Mediterranean with continental influences. Summers are warm with occasional showers. Temperatures peak in July. Winters are cool with moderate snow falls. Temperatures are at their lowest in February. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Piazza della Liberta has a daily changing of the guard ceremony.
San Marino is a predominately Christian country, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in San Marino.
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. San Marino is a relatively expensive place to shoot. San Marino trades in the Euro. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from Italy or farther abroad. Our Sammarinesi fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. At present the San Marino government does not offer any tax incentives designed to attract visiting productions.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. San Marino has no pool of local directors, videographers and stills photographers. No key crew based in San Marino either. Need to bring with you or source from nearby European production centres.
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 San Marino.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.
Italian is the official language.
The country has a very small population which consists primarily of Sammarinese and some Italians. All other talent looks need to be brought in from Italian production centres or abroad.
San Marino Film Equipment
Equipment. No camera, grip or lighting equipment based in San Marino. Italy has a range of standard and specialized equipment available locally.
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. As per what is available in Italy. Art department is of a high standard in Italy. Set construction is generally expensive.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present. Italy has several studios to choose from.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Although San Marino is technically not a member of the Schengen Area, it has open borders with Italy, so in terms of getting in and out, you can treat it as part of the Schengen Area. Crews staying longer than 10 days must obtain a permit of stay from the gendarmerie of San Marino.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are up to international standards. There are no airports in San Marino. The closest airports are Bologna and Rimini.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in San Marino include:
Hotel San Giuseppe
Hotel Ristorante Cesare
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. San Marino is a very safe place for foreign productions to visit. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Indulge in some local gelato.
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 San Marino, please see below:
Hire San Marino Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in San Marino, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in San Marino, 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.
