Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in Bangladesh

For an introduction to shooting in Bangladesh 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.

Bangladesh Film Locations

Bangladesh is located in the low-lying Ganges Delta making it one of the most fertile plains in the world with extensive rivers, lakes, waterfalls, jungles, lush green fields, islands, and golden sand beaches. Bangladesh is also known for its busy cities, Buddhist / Muslim / Hindu / Christian architecture and archaeological ruins, and floating markets.

Agricultural film locations include farms that produce rice, tea, wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, bananas, mangoes, pineapples, jute, and goats. Fishing boats are available for filming. Industrial locations of interest include shipyards and textile factories. Energy locations include thermal power plants, hydroelectric power plants, and nuclear power plants.

As well as offering unique locations, Bangladesh can easily double for many Indian looks at a fraction of the cost of filming in India.

Productions filmed in part in Bangladesh include Extraction (2020), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), The Amazing Race 21 (2012), The Amazing Race 17 (2010), and Around the World in 80 Days (1956).

Film locations can be divided into the following divisions:

Dhaka

The Dhaka division is located in the centre of the country.

Dhaka is the capital, and one of the world’s most populated cities. Film locations of interest include Mughal architecture, British Raj-era architecture, mosques, museums, congested streets, and bustling markets. Extraction (2020) plate shots were filmed in Dhaka.

Government buildings of note include the National Parliament House designed by Louis Kahn, Bangabhaban, and Old High Court Building.

Palaces of note include Ahsan Manzil Palace, and Rose Garden Palace. Banglar Taj Mahal is an imitation of Taj Mahal.

University of Dhaka is known for the British Raj-era Curzon Hall building.

Lalbagh Fort is a Mughal-era building.

Bara Katra is a caravansarai ruins.

Cultural locations include Bangladesh National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Museum of Independence, National Martyrs’ Memorial, Bangladesh Air Force Museum, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre. 

Religious buildings of note include Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Khan Mohammad Mirza Mosque, Star Mosque, Baitur Rauf Mosque, and Gulshan Society Jame Mosque. Dhakeshwari National Temple is a Hindu temple.

Dhaka New Market is a busy location.

Parks of note include Ramna Park, Gulshan Lake Park, and Bahadur Shah Park.

Stadiums include Bangabandhu National Stadium, Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, and Bangladesh Army Stadium.

Transport locations include Kamalapur Railway Station, Port of Dhaka, and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Outside of the city of Dhaka you can find Hajiganj Fort, Mohera Jamindar House, Baliati Palace, 201 Gombuj Masjid, and Bhawal National Park. Sonargaon is a historic city known for its eerie abandoned mansions.

Chittagong

The Chittagong division is located in the south-east of Bangladesh.

Chittagong, the country’s second-largest city, is an industrial port city with a fascinating ship graveyard. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) filmed the Chittagong ship breaking yards. Other Chittagong film locations include Chittagong Court Building, Chittagong War Cemetery, Ethnological Museum of Chittagong, Zia Memorial Museum, Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque, Chandanpura Masjid Mosque, Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Shah Amanat Bridge, Chattogram Railway Station, and Shah Amanat International Airport.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts are known for their beauty and fascinating indigenous communities. Rangamati is a serene mountain town in this area. The Bandarban district is known for its tobacco farms, hilltop lookouts, and Jadipai Waterfall.

Cox’s Bazar is one of the world’s longest unbroken sea beach stretching 120km (75miles). Other beaches of note include Laboni Point Sea Beach, Patenga Sea Beach, Inani Beach, and Sea Beach.

Waterfalls of note in this region include Khoiyachora Waterfalls, Nafa-khum Waterfalls, Shuvolong Waterfalls, and Amiakum Waterfalls.

Buddha Dhatu Jadi, located near Balaghata, is an important Buddhist temple.

Shalban Bihar is an important Buddhist archaeological site.

St Martin’s Island is a remote beautiful island in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal. It can be reached by boat from Teknaf.

Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station is located in this part of the country.

Sylhet

The Sylhet division is located in the northeast of Bangladesh.

Lawachara National Park is known for its biodiversity. Around the World in 80 Days (1956) filmed the train scene in this location.

Ratargul Swamp Forest would make a perfect location for a horror film.

Srimangal is the traditional tea plantation area.

Barishal

Located in the south-central part of the country this division is criss-crossed by numerous rivers.

Film locations of note include Kuakata Sea Beach, and the Floating Guava Market.

Mymensingh

The Mymensingh division is located north of the Dhaka division.

Birishiri is known for its lush green landscapes.

Khulna

The Khulna division is located in the southwest of Bangladesh.

The Sundarbans are the world’s largest mangrove forest. They are home to a variety of animals including the Bengal tiger, crocodiles, cheetahs, spotted deer, monkeys, pythons, wild bears and hyenas.

The mosque city of Bagerhat is known for Sixty Dome Mosque, Nine Dome Mosque, Chuna Khola Mosque, Ronvijoypur Mosque, Bibi Begni Mosque, and Singair Mosque.

Rajshahi

The Rajshahi division is located in the northwest of Bangladesh.

Sompur Mahavihara is a Buddhist vihara archaeological site located in Paharpur.

Important mosque locations include Choto Shona Mosque, Bagha Shahi Mosque, and Kushumba Mosque.

Puthia Rajbari is an example of Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture.

Dubolhati Rajbari is a palace ruin overtaken by jungle.

Jamuna Bridge stretches for 4.8 km connecting the divisions of Rajshahi and Dhaka.

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is located in this region.

Rangpur

The Rangpur division is the most northwestern division of Bangladesh.

Rangpur is known for Tajhat Palace, and Rangpur Town Hall.

Bangladesh Film Location Permits

A Journalist Visa is required. Filming in restricted areas and national parks requires special permission. Please contact us for location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Bangladesh has three distinct seasons. Summer (March to June) is hot and humid. The monsoon season (June to October) is cool and rainy. Winter (October to March) is cool and dry. Bangladesh is prone to annual cyclones and floods from April to December. 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:

• Eid al-Fitr, and Eid Ul Adha are celebrated by the Muslim community.
• Durga Puja is celebrated by the Hindu community.
• Buddha Purnima is celebrated by the Buddhist community.
• Christmas is celebrated by the Christian community.
• Shakrain Festival in January.
• Pohela Falgun in February.
• Pohela Baishakh in April.
• Nouka Baich is a traditional dragon boat race.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Bangladesh.

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, equipment and talent are best brought in from abroad. Mumbai or Bangkok are the closest major film production centres. This can add considerably to the cost of shooting. Otherwise, local costs are inexpensive. Our Bangladeshi 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 Bangladesh.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. Bangladesh has a small pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Key crew should be brought in from abroad.

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 Bangladesh.

Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.

Bengali is the official language.

Bangladesh offers mainly ethnic Bengali looks. Minority groups include the Chakma, Tripuri, Marma, Mundas, Garos, Oraons, Santhals, Mro, Manipuri, and Zomi people. All other talent looks are best cast abroad.

Bangladesh Film Equipment

Equipment. Arri Alexa, Red camera, Canon 5D/7D, Sony HD cameras, Steadicam. Panther dolly, jimmy jib and a variety of lighting gear. Drones for aerial filming are available. Helicopters are also available although camera mounts need to be brought in from abroad. For crews looking to bring in their own gear, clearing customs is generally a quick and easy process. Our Bangladeshi film fixer is there to ensure the process runs smoothly.

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 is basic beyond local looks. Set construction is inexpensive and crews are hard working.

Studios and backlots. None exist at present.

Post Production. Best to post abroad.

Visas & Work Permits

Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Journalists and filmmakers need to apply for visas at least 3 weeks before departure. Crew entering on Western passports as tourists are eligible to obtain visas on arrival, valid for stays of up to 30 days. US passport holders see here for more information.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are in a fair condition. Rural roads are slower going. Much of Bangladesh sits on a delta so getting around by boat can sometimes be a more efficient way to travel. Domestic flights are the best way to travel longer distances. Several international airlines service flights to Bangladesh.

Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Dhaka include:

Hotel Sarina
Radisson Water Garden Hotel
Lake Shore
Westin Dhaka

Please contact us for corporate rates. For those looking to stay with local communities our Bangladeshi fixer also organises hosted accommodation.

For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.

Final Notes

Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. Go relax in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Local cuisines of note include paratha, kachchi biryani, bhuna khichuri, patla khichuri, morog polao, haleem, and fuchka. Desserts include misti doi, doi chira, falooda, rasmalai, borhani, and lassi.

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 Bangladesh, please see below:

Hire Bangladesh Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Bangladesh, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Bangladesh, 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.