Algeria 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 Algeria? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Algeria
For an introduction to shooting in Algeria 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.
Algeria Film Locations
Algeria is the largest country in Africa by land area. It is best known for Algiers, spectacular desert cities, casbahs, mosques, museums, stadiums, Roman ruins, beaches, lighthouses, arid mountains, and deserts.
The north of the country has rugged Mediterranean beaches and verdant hillsides covered with olive groves, vineyards, wheat and barley fields. Heading south, the Sahara desert covers much of the rest of Algeria. Oil and natural gas are the major exports. Energy locations include gas fired power plants, and hydroelectric power plants.
Given the lack of film infrastructure and changeable security situation, most productions choose to double Algeria elsewhere. Part of the film Patton (1970) was filmed in Timgad, Algeria.
The country’s film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Central Region
Algiers is the capital, largest city, and main production service centre where crew and equipment are based. It is known for its white-washed French colonial buildings with blue painted balconies, ancient narrow alleyways, a magnificent Casbah, the Great Mosque of Algiers, Ketchaoua Mosque, Djamaa el Djazaïr Mosque, Notre Dame d’Afrique Catholic Basilica, Algiers Central Post Office, Bardo National Museum, National Library of Algeria, Palais des Rais, Maqam Echahid monument, 5 July 1962 Stadium, Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers Metro, Cap Caxine Lighthouse, Port of Algiers, and Houari Boumediene International Airport.
Cap Bengut Lighthouse is located in Dellys.
Northwest Region
Oran is a coastal city known for Fort of Santa Cruz, Bey’s Palace, Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur d’Oran, Abdellah Ben Salem Mosque, Abdelhamid Ben Badis Mosque, Hassan Pasha Mosque, Ahmed Zabana National Museum, Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Ahmed Zabana Stadium, Oran Metro, Îlot d’Arzew Lighthouse, Oran Port, and Ahmed Ben Bella Airport.
Tipasa is known for its Roman ruins.
Northeast Region
Annaba is a port city known for Saint Augustin Basilica, Hippo Regius Ruins, Ain Achir Beach, Cap de Garde Lighthouse, 19 May 1956 Stadium, and Annaba Port.
Constantine is a city that sits around a deep ravine. Film locations include the Sidi M’Cid Bridge, El-Kantara Bridge, and Emir Abdelkader Mosque.
Roman ruins of interest in this region include Djémila and Timgad.
Oasis towns of note include Taghit, and Biskra.
Nature park film locations include Belezma National Park, Gouraya National Park, and Taza National Park.
Saharan Atlas Region
Beni Hammad Fort is an 11th century fortress ruin located in this part of the country.
Saharan Region
Beautiful arid mountains rising from the Sahara Desert can be found in Tassili N’Ajjer National Park.
Tamanrasset is a desert city and gateway to the Hoggar Mountains, a landscape of spectacular rocky desert locations including Mount Tahat which is the country’s highest peak.
Other oasis towns of note include Beni-Isguen, Ouargla, Ghardaïa, Timimoun, Djanet, El Oued, and Adrar.
Amguid crater is a remote impact crater.
The Trans-Sahara Highway runs through Algeria.
The desert town of Tindouf hosts the Sahara International Film Festival.
Reggane and In Ekker were the sites of 1960’s French nuclear tests.
Algeria Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and rainy winters from December to February. The Sahara Desert has very hot days and very cold nights with little year-round rainfall. The hot season lasts from July to November and is subject to sandstorms. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
• The Sahara International Film Festival takes place in a refugee camp in the southwest corner of the country in April / May.
• The Festival of du Rai d’Oran takes place in August.
Algeria is a predominately Muslim country. Ramadan is widely observed with many services closed during this period.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Algeria.
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.
Algeria Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Many of Algeria’s most interesting locations are also quite far from any major city which will add to travel costs. Our Algerian 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 Algeria.
Algeria Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Algeria has a very small pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Some basic supporting crew exists but all key crew must be brought in from abroad. Algeria’s close proximity to major European production centres allows easy access to those experienced crews.
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 Algeria.
If you are an exceptionally talented Algerian director, DoP / cinematographer, videographer / camera operator, or stills photographer, introduce yourself here.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Arabic and Berber are the official languages.
Algeria offers mainly Arab-Berber looking talent with some French looks available too. All other talent needs to be brought in from abroad.
Algeria Film Equipment
Equipment. Only the most basic camera, grip and lighting equipment available locally. You will need to bring in most standard equipment from abroad. Algeria is an ATA carnet country.
Communication. Internet speeds are slow and access is limited to major population areas. Some websites are censored.
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.
Algeria 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.
Algeria Visas & Work Permits For Filming
All western passport holders travelling to Algeria are required to apply for an entry visa. Along with other documents, applications must also include an Invitation Letter from a fixer in Algeria. For US travellers applying, see here for more information. Contact your local Algerian embassy or representative for more information.
Algeria Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are of a reasonable standard. Travel through desert areas is slower going, requires extra planning and in some cases special permits. Our Algerian fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transportation. Given Algeria’s large area, domestic air travel is often a better option than covering the country exclusively by land. Algeria is serviced by several international airlines.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Algiers include:
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. Try some local cuisine – chakchouka, couscous, mechoui, mechoui, and makroudh.
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 Algeria, please see below:
Hire Algeria Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Algeria, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Algeria, 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.