Albania 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 Albania? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Albania
For an introduction to shooting in Albania 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.
Albania Film Locations
Albania is a small country located on the Balkan Peninsula along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Film locations include well-preserved Ottoman cities, archaeological ruins, castles, fortresses, mosques, churches, Rationalist (Fascist-era) architecture, Soviet-era architecture, rugged mountains, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, national parks, white sand beaches with azure seas, and hundreds of thousands of concrete bunkers built throughout the country by the former dictator Hoxha. Albania is a relatively unexplored film destination.
Agricultural film locations of note include tobacco plantations, wheat fields, vineyards, citrus, fig, and olive groves. Albanian factories produce apparel. Energy locations include hydroelectric dams.
The establishing shots of Lazarat (2019) were filmed in Albania.
Albania’s film locations can be divided into the following counties:
Tirana
Tirana is the capital, and largest city. It is best known for its Ottoman architecture, Rationalist (Fascist-era) architecture, Soviet-era architecture, and a variety of locations that double well for urban Italian looks. Many of the Tirana’s drab buildings have been painted in bright colours.
Squares of note include Skanderbeg Square, and Mother Teresa Square which is known for its Rationalist architecture.
The Clock Tower of Tirana is an iconic structure.
Government buildings include Presidential Palace designed in the Rationalist style, Prime Minister’s Office, Albanian Parliament Building, and Tirana City Hall.
Museums of note include National Museum of History, National Archaeological Museum, Museum of Secret Surveillance, and Bektashi Museum.
Entertainment venues include Palace of Culture of Tirana, National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania, Tirana Olympic Park Feti Borova, Air Albania Stadium, and Selman Stërmasi Stadium. The Pyramid of Tirana is a unique Soviet-era structure. Facility 0774 is a five story nuclear bunker with over 100 rooms that serve as a cultural center.
Centres of learning include University of Tirana, and National Library of Albania.
Religious buildings include Et’hem Bey Mosque, Namazgah Mosque, and Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral.
Parks of note include Grand Park, and Rinia Park.
Transport locations include Tirana International Airport.
Petrelë Castle is located just outside of the city.
Dajti Mountain National Park is a beautiful forested area offering Tirana city skyline views that can be reached by cablecar.
Shkodër
The rugged Albanian Alps in the north of the country are home to several picturesque film locations including the ancient city of Shkodër, the town of Puka, Rozafa Castle ruins, Mesi Bridge, Lake Koman, and the Great Lake of Buni Jezerce.
Theth National Park is a landscape of valleys, rivers, mountains, waterfalls, dense forests. Wildlife includes brown bears, roe deers, chamois’, gray wolves, lynxes, wild goats, and a diversity of birdlife.
Kukës
Kukës is located in the northeastern Albanian Alps.
Valbonë Valley National Park is a landscape of mountains, forests, waterfalls, glacial springs, and rock formations. Jezerca Peak is the highest peak in the Dinaric Alps. Wildlife includes brown bears, grey wolves, chamois’, roe deers, wild boars, and a diversity of birdlife such as western capercaillies, and golden eagles.
Lezhë
The north coast county of Lezhë is known for Thrown Sand, Fortress Lezhë, Kunë-Vain-Tale Nature Park, and the Lagoon of Patok.
Dibër
East of Tirana, the county of Dibër is known for Lura-Dejes Mt National Park, Zall-Gjoçaj National Park, Dajti Mountain National Park, and Ulza Regional Nature Park. Mt Korab, located in Korab-Koritnik Nature Park, is Albania’s highest peak.
Durrës
Durrës county is located north of Tirana county. Krujë Castle is a well preserved Ottoman-era citadel. The city of Durrës is known for Durrës Castle and the Roman amphitheatre of Durrës. The Cape of Rodon and Dajti Mountain National Park are beautiful film locations.
Elbasan
Elbasan county is located east of Tirana county. Film locations of note include Elbasan Castle, Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park, and Sotira Waterfall.
Fier
Fier county is located south of Tirana county. Apollonia Archaeological Park and Byllis Archaeological Park are known for their ancient Greek ruins.
Berat
Berat is located in southern Albania. The city of Berat is know for its unique Ottoman houses, Berat Castle and Gorica Bridge. Other film locations of note in this county include Tomorri Mountain National Park, and Ura e Kasabashit stone bridge.
Korçë
Korçë is located in the south east of the country. The city of Korçë is known for its old bazaar, Resurrection Cathedral, and Mirahori Mosque. Nature locations of note include Prespa National Park, Fir of Drenovë National Park, and Driloni National Park. Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa are located in this county.
Vlorë
The southern coast county of Vlorë is famous for being home to Albania’s best beaches. Located between the cities of Saranda and Vlorë, beaches of note include Gjipe, Dhërmi, Livadhi, Ksamil, Borsh, Porto Palermo, Llamani, and Filikuri.
The city of Vlorë is the gateway to Kanina Castle, Zvernec Island, and the untouched paradise beaches of the Karaburun Peninsula.
The resort city of Saranda is known for its beaches and Lëkurësi Castle.
Llogara National Park is known for the Llogara Pass which is one of the most spectacular drives in Albania.
Heading towards the southern border, Butrint is known for its ancient Greek and Roman ruins.
The Blue Eye is a deep blue spring that plunges to an unknown depth.
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is located in the south of the country.
The city of Gjirokastër is famous for its unique Ottoman architecture and Gjirokastër Castle.
The blue-green waters of the Benja Thermal Baths are reached after crossing an old single-arch stone bridge.
Albania Film Location Permits
Albania Film Location Permits are arranged with the relevant municipality. A general police permit may also be required. Most permits are free and require at least 2 weeks to process. Additional fees may apply for filming historic locations. Allow more lead time and costs for shoots that require exclusive use of public space. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Albania has a transitional climate from Mediterranean to continental. In the highlands, snow can fall from November until March. In the lowlands, the winters are mild and the summers are very hot and dry. Beach and mountain areas are busy with holiday makers from June to August, although not nearly as busy as other southern European beach holiday nations. That said, the fringe summer months are the best times for filming. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Kala Festival takes place in Dhërmi in May / June.
• UNUM Festival takes place in Shengjin in June.
• Anjunadeep Explorations Festival takes place in Dhermi in June.
• The Korça Beer Festival in August.
• Kruja Mountain Festival in August.
• Gjirokastër Folk Festival is held every 4 years in September.
• South Outdoor Festival takes place in Borsh in September.
• The Tirana International Film Festival takes place in November.
Although Albania is a majority Muslim country services remain open during Ramadan.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Albania.
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.
Albania Costs & Tax Incentives For Filming
Costs. Local costs are some of the lowest in Europe. Our Albanian fixer / service producer will negotiate deals and offer the appropriate level of production support to match every budget. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad which will add to those costs.
Tax Incentives for foreign commercials and features do no exist at present.
Albania Film Crew & Talent
Crew. Albania has a small number of directors and photographers. Experienced directors of photography are best brought in. Only basic supporting crew is available locally. Experienced technical and creative crews can easily be brought in from nearby major European production centres.
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 Albania.
If you are an exceptionally talented Albanian director, DoP / cinematographer, videographer / camera operator, or stills photographer, introduce yourself here.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable. Casting facilities are undeveloped and street casting is often required.
Albanian is the official language.
Ethnic Albanians, a Mediterranean people, form the majority of the country. Albania’s mountain region is home to a fascinating community of Sworn Virgins, otherwise known as burneshas, or females who have chosen to live their lives as men. The country’s close proximity to major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of talent should you need to look further.
Albania Film Equipment
Equipment. Albania has some basic camera, grip and lighting equipment available locally. You will need to bring in most standard equipment from abroad. Serbia, Italy and Greece are the closest established service centres to bring in equipment. For productions looking to bring in film equipment Albania is an ATA carnet country.
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.
Albania Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Studios. Tirana has some basic studio facilities.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Albania Visas & Work Permits For Filming
Albania is not a Schengen area member state. Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Western passport holders may visit visa-free for a maximum stay of 90 days. There is no formal work permit required for visiting crews. Contact your local Albanian embassy or representative for more information.
Albania Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are of a good standard. Albania is small country so domestic transport is best done by land. Albania is serviced by several international airlines.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Tirana include:
Theranda Hotel
The Sheraton Tirana
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. Enjoy the beaches of the Albanian Riviera.
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 Albania, please see below:
Hire Albania Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Albania, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Albania, 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.
