Libya 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 Libya? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Libya
For an introduction to shooting in Libya 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.
Libya Film Locations
One of Africa’s largest countries, Libya is a North African country known for its Mediterranean coastline, desert landscapes, bazaars, souks, and a wealth of ancient ruins.
Libya has extensive oil and gas facilities. The Great Man-Made River is a network of pipes that supplies fresh water from the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System fossil aquifer to the rest of the country. It is the world’s largest irrigation project. Agricultural products grown include olives, dates, wheat, barley, and a range of fruits. Fishing boats are also available for filming.
Human (2015) filmed in part in Libya.
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Tripolitania
This northwestern region includes the districts of Surt, Misratah, Marqab, Tarabulus, Al Jafarah, Az Zawiyah, An Nuqat al Khams, Al Jabal al Gharbi, and Nalut.
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. Film locations of interest in Tripoli include the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, Al-Saraya Al-Hamra castle, Royal Palace of Tripoli, Gurgi Mosque, Martyrs’ Square, Old Clock Tower, Museum of Libya, Wheelus Air Base, Port of Tripoli, bazaars and souks.
Qasr Al Haj is a huge fortified granary southwest of Tripoli.
Roman ruins of note in this region include Leptis Magna and Sabratha.
Ghadames is a unique desert oasis town in northwestern Libya. The Old Town is an abandoned warren of stone alleys and rooms.
Ksar Kabaw is an abandoned Berber hilltop fortified village.
Ksar Nalut is an abandoned fortified granary.
The Mediterranean coastline has miles of deserted golden sand beaches. Beaches of note include Zuwarah, Farwa Island, and Neqezzah.
Cyrenaica
This eastern region includes the districts of Al Butnan, Darnah, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Marj, Banghazi, Al Wahat, and Al Kufrah.
Benghazi is the largest city in eastern Libya. Locations of note include the elegant whitewashed homes of the Italian Quarte, Benghazi Cathedral, and Benghazi lighthouse.
The Roman ruins of Cyrene are located in this region.
Tobruk, known for the famous WWII battle is also in this part of Libya.
Gabal El Uweinat is a mountain range in the area of the Egyptian-Libyan-Sudanese border.
Atiq Mosque is an early Islamic mosque known for its conical domes.
Wadi el Kuf Bridge is one of the largest bridges in Africa.
Most of Libya’s oil fields are in the eastern part of the country.
The Mediterranean part of this region is known for its agricultural production including olive, lemon, and almond groves.
Fezzan
This southwestern region includes the districts of Al Jufrah, Wadi ash Shati’, Sabha, Wadi al Hayat, Ghat, and Murzuq.
The Gaberoun oasis is a large lake surrounded by date palms, a deserted Bedouin village, and Sahara Desert sand dunes.
Ubari is a Tuareg Berber-speaking oasis town in southwestern Libya.
The Fort Elena castle is located in Sebha, built during the Italian colonial period.
Waw an Namus volcano is a spectacular oasis inside a volcanic crater.
The Acacus Mountains in western Libya offer beautiful rocky, arid looks including Moul n’ga Cirque and the arches of Afzejare and Tin Khlega.
Libya Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Note, it is illegal to photography certain buildings, especially military and government facilities. Penalties may include arrest, fines and confiscation of equipment. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Libya’s coast has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers (peaking in August) and cool, rainy winters (coldest in January). Much of the rest of the country is Sahara desert with very hot days and very cold nights. Filming in the Sahara is best done between October and April when temperature variations are less extreme. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Libyan festivals and events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Nalut Spring Festival set in the mountainous Jebel Nafusa region takes place in March.
• Zuwarah Awessu Festival in August.
• Ghadames Festival celebrating the culture of the Tuareg and Barber people takes place in October.
• Ghat Festival set in a Tuareg oasis medina takes place in November / December.
• Acacus Festival takes place in spectacular Sahara scenery between December and January.
Libya is a majority Muslim country. Ramadan is observed with many services closed during this period.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Libya.
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. Many of the best locations are quite far from any major cities which can add considerably to travel costs. Our Libyan 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 Libya.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Libya has a very small pool of directors, videographers and stills photographers. Key crew should be brought in from abroad. Libya’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 Libya.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Arabic is the official language. Berber is widely spoken among those communities.
Most Libyans are of Arab and Berber descent. Tuareg and Toubou minorities live in the south. All other talent needs to be cast abroad.
Libya Film Equipment
Equipment. Only the most basic camera, grip and lighting equipment is available locally. You will need to bring in most standard equipment from abroad.
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 basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Crews travelling on Western passports need to have visas to enter Libya. Note, within three days of arrival in Libya, visitors must register at their closest police station. US passport holders see here for more information on visas. Contact your closest Libyan 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 Libyan visa stamped in their passport.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Coastal and city roads are of a good standard. Travelling outside of these areas is best done by 4WD which our Libyan film fixer organises. Areas beyond the coast are subject to poor road conditions, sandstorms and flooding. Several international airlines service flights to Tripoli.
Accommodation. Film friendly hotels in Tripoli include:
Attawfeek Hotel
Corinthia Hotel
JW Marriott 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. Libyan hospitality is legendary. Go party with the locals. Try local dishes such as couscous bil-bosla, makaruna imbaukha, ruz hoot bil kusbur, hasa adas, kufta bil batinjal, Za’atar, and shakshouka.
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 Libya, please see below:
Hire Libya Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Libya, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Libya, 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.
