Azerbaijan 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 Azerbaijan? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Azerbaijan
For an introduction to shooting in Azerbaijan 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.
Azerbaijan Film Locations
Azerbaijan offers great filming potential with a diversity of locations in close proximity to each other. Film locations include ancient cities, Caucasus Mountain towns, Caspian Sea beaches, national parks, mud volcanoes, forests, rivers, lakes, and lush green valleys.
Azerbaijan has an oil and gas based economy. Agricultural film locations include vineyards, as well as plantations of wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, watermelons, apples, cotton, and persimmons. Energy locations include hydroelectric dams.
Azerbaijan has played host to Fast & Furious 7 (2015), The Amazing Race 20 (2012), and The World Is Not Enough (1999).
Azerbaijan film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Absheron
Absheron is an eastern region on the Caspian Sea.
Baku is the capital and largest city. It is known for its medieval walled Old City, oil-boom-era mansions, ancient hamams and caravanserais, Soviet-era apartment blocks, modern architecture, museums, and entertainment venues.
The old city of Icherisheher is the historical core of Baku. Buildings of note include the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, Multani Caravanserai, and Bukhara Caravanserai.
Government buildings include the House of Government, Supreme Court Building, and Baku City Hall.
The Palace of Happiness is a Neo-Gothic building.
Museums include National Art Museum, Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature, Baku Museum of Modern Art, and National Museum of History.
Entertainment venues include the Heydar Aliyev Centre designed by Zaha Hadid, Baku Crystal Hall, Baku Convention Center, Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, Baku State Philharmonic Hall, Azerbaijan State Academic Drama Theatre, Azerbaijan State Academic Theatre of Musical Comedy, Baku State Circus, and Baku Puppet Theatre.
Religious buildings of note include Juma Mosque, Bibi-Heybat Mosque, Muhammad Mosque, Taza Pir Mosque, Heydar Mosque, and the Atashgah Zoroastrianism Fire Temple.
Hamams include Teze Bey Hamam, Gum Hamam, Bairamali hamam, and Agha Mikayil Hamam.
Centres of higher learning include Baku State University, Building of the Academy of Sciences, and National Library of Azerbaijan.
Modern buildings include The Flame Towers, SOCAR Tower, Azersu Tower, and Deniz Mall.
Transport film locations include Baku Railway Station, Baku Metro, Baku Funicular, Port of Baku, and Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
Sporting venues include Baku Olympic Stadium, Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, and the Baku City Circuit which hosts the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix.
Film locations of interest outside of Baku in the Absheron region include:
Yanar Dagh is a natural gas fire which blazes continuously.
Fortresses of note include Quadrangular Mardakan Fortress, and Ramana Tower.
The Bibi-Heybat oil pumps featured in The World Is Not Enough (1999).
Gobustan State Reserve is known for prehistoric rock carvings and mud volcanoes.
Masazirgol is a pink salt lake.
Neft Daşları is a sprawling offshore oil town built in the Caspian Sea. It is located 55 km (34 mi) from the nearest shore.
Aran
Looking south, the Aran region is mainly plains that lie below sea level.
Shirvan National Park protects the goitered gazelle, and a diversity of birdlife.
Daglig-Shirvan
This region is located in the Caucasus Mountains.
Shamakhi is known for the Juma Mosque.
Shamakhy Astrophysical Observatory is also located in this area.
Ganja-Gazakh
This northwestern region is located in the Caucasus Mountains.
Naftalan is known for its health spas where people bathe in crude oil.
The area is also known for its vineyards.
Guba-Khachmaz
This northeastern region is located between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains.
Mount Bazardüzü is the country’s highest peak.
Shahdag Mountain Resort is a ski resort.
Krasnaya Sloboda is a Jewish town.
Kalbajar-Lachin
This western region is known for its mountain ranges and plateaus.
Lankaran
This southern region is located on the Caspian Sea.
Hirkan National Park forests are home to Persian leopards, lynxes, brown bears, wild boars, wolves, golden jackals, jungle cats, red foxes, roe deers, badgers, and otters.
Shaki-Zaqatala
This northern region is known for the Caucasus Mountains.
Unique mountain towns include Sheki, Lahic, and Khinaliq.
The Palace of Shaki Khans was a summer residence for the Shaki Khans.
Upper Garabakh
This region is located in the western part of Azerbaijan.
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic
This western region is cut off from mainland Azerbaijan by Armenia.
The Tomb of prophet Noah is a mausoleum in Nakhchivan.
The Palace of Nakhchivan Khans is also located in this region.
Alinja is a fortified mountainside film location that would make for a great battle scene.
Azerbaijan Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Unlike some oil producing countries, filming oil facilities in Azerbaijan is possible. Having a good, well connected producer / fixer helps. Filming at the Heydar Aliyev Centre is possible, but as the building is a tribute, they are very particular about who they allow to film there. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Despite its small size Azerbaijan has 9 out of 11 of the world’s climate zones. Generally speaking, summers are hot and winters are mild and wet, with snow on the mountains. The best time to film for warm and dry weather is between April and October. Baku in the summer is very hot and humid. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Ramadan is observed by the majority Muslim population with some services closed during this period.
Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• International World of Mugham Festival in Baku in March.
• The Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix takes place in Baku in June.
• Gabala Music Festival in July.
• Baku International Jazz Festival in September.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Azerbaijan.
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. As with other oil-based economies goods in Azerbaijan are generally on the more expensive side. Film crew labour is comparatively inexpensive. In any case our Azerbaijani fixer / service producer 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 Azerbaijan.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Azerbaijan has a small pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. All other standard key crew is available in Azerbaijan. Specialist crews need to be brought in from abroad.
Contact us if you are looking for a director, DoP / cinematographer, videographer / camera operator, stills photographer, or any other film crew for your shoot in Azerbaijan – Baku.
If you are an exceptionally talented Azerbaijani director, DoP / cinematographer, videographer / camera operator, or stills photographer, introduce yourself here.
Talent. Day rates and buyouts are negotiated on a personal basis.
Azerbaijani is the official language.
Azerbaijani’s are the main ethnic group. There are also smaller minorities of Lezgin, Armenian, Russian, and Talysh people. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad.
Azerbaijan Film Equipment
Equipment. Standard camera, lighting and grip equipment is available locally including Red Epic camera, a Panther dolly, GFM crane. More specialised equipment needs to be brought in from abroad. Azerbaijan is not an ATA carnet country. Crews looking to bring in their own equipment will need to clear customs which can be tricky and very expensive. Contact us for advice.
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 are of a good standard for local looks.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Best to post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Technically, Azerbaijan requires work permits for film and photography crews. This entails first arriving on a regular visa and then having a local company apply to hire you. Getting this approval is very difficult and the process can take up to a month. There are of course alternatives and ways to expedite this. Please contact us for more information.
Crew entering as tourists can apply for an E-Visa. Processing time is usually around 3 days. Visas are valid for stays of up to 30 days. US passport holders see here for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Main roads are in a fair condition. Rural and mountain roads are slower going and often in a poor condition. Our Azerbaijani producer / fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transportation. Some international airlines service flights to Azerbaijan.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Baku include:
Park Inn
Hotel Hale Kai
Excelsior Hotel Baku
Park Hyatt Baku
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. Take an oil bath at one of Azerbaijan’s health spas.
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 Azerbaijan, please see below:
Hire Azerbaijan Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Azerbaijan, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Azerbaijan, 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.
