Cyprus 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 Cyprus? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Cyprus
For an introduction to shooting in Cyprus 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.
Cyprus Film Locations
Cyprus is an island nation located in the east of the Mediterranean Sea. A dry and rugged country, it offers visiting productions a diversity of locations including beautiful sandy beaches, rocky mountains, picturesque villages, Byzantine monasteries and mosques, and archeological ruins. The island also offers two multipurpose deep-sea ports and two modern international airports. It’s warm, clear waters makes it a stand-out option for underwater filming.
Politically, Cyprus is divided between the Greek Cypriot south and Turkish controlled north. The south is best known for its beaches, secluded coves, rugged mountain interior, Byzantine churches, antiquities, and agricultural locations. The less developed north is known for its castles and mosques.
Cyprus is an international shipping hub. Agricultural film locations include vineyards, olive groves, orchards of tangerines, orange, and grapefruit, as well as fields of wheat, barley, and potatoes. Cyprus is known for its copper mining.
The small size of the country means that most locations are a short drive from each other. Cyprus is a short flight from major European and Middle Eastern cities.
Cyprus has hosted visiting productions such as Find Me Falling (2024), The Count of Monte-Cristo (2024), and Jiu Jitsu (2020).
Film locations can be divided into the following districts:
Kyrenia
Located on the north coast, Kyrenia is the only district entirely under Turkish control.
Locations of note include Bellapais monastery, St Hilarion Castle, Buffavento Castle, and Alagadi Turtle Beach. Kyrenia is a town known for its harbour, castle and the stunning Pentadaktylos Mountains backdrop.
Famagusta
Located in the northeast, most of this district is under Turkish control.
The ancient Greek ruins of Salamis are located this region.
Famagusta is known for Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque and Othello Castle, as well as for having the island’s most important port.
The southeastern part of the district has a beautiful rocky coastline with turquoise waters. Locations of note in this area include Cape Greco, Nissi Beach, Makronissos Beach, Fig Tree Bay, Konnos Beach, MUSAN Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa, and Church of St. Elias.
Although Cyprus lacks rivers, Potamos Liopetriou is an estuary location in this region that can double for a river. The location featured as a Burmese river, complete with traditional Burmese fishing boats, in the film Jiu Jitsu (2020).
Larnaca
Located in the southeast of Cyprus, Larnaca is known for the Church of St Lazarus, Stavrovouni Monastery, Hala Sultan Tekke, and Kamares Aqueduct. Lefkara is a picturesque village. Beaches of note in this region include Finikoudes Beach, Mackenzie Beach, Cape Kiti Beach, and Perivolia Beach.
Nicosia
The Troodos Mountains occupy much of this interior region. Beautiful and rugged, they are also known for their pine forests, picturesque villages, stone bridges, and monasteries.
The capital Nicosia is divided between Greek Cypriot and Turkish control. Signs of this divide are most pronounced in locations such as the Nicosia International Airport, which sits abandoned in the demilitarized zone. Nicosia film locations include Selimiye Mosque, Büyük Han caravanserai, Cyprus Museum, and Cyprus Tower designed by Jean Nouvel.
Nicosia region monasteries of note include Kykkos Monastery, and Machairas Monastery.
Limassol
Limassol is the south-central region of Cyprus.
Mount Olympus, located in the Troodos Mountains is the highest peak in Cyprus.
Limassol city is known for its impressive old town, medieval Limassol Castle, modern marina, and Ammolofoi Beach. The former Crusader castle of Kolossi is located nearby, as are the Greek and Roman ruins of Kourion.
Petra tou Romiou and Pissouri Beach are beautiful locations in this region.
Paphos
Located in the west of Cyprus, Paphos is known for its ruins, monasteries, and beaches.
Paphos ruins of note include House of Dionysus, House of Theseus, Tombs of the Kings, and Paphos Fort.
Monasteries of note include Trooditissa Monastery and Agios Neophytos Monastery.
Beaches of note include Coral Bay Beach, Lara Beach, and Latchi Beach.
Cyprus Film Location Permits
Location permits are generally a straight forward process. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Cyprus enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with 300+ days of sunshine annually. Long, dry summers (May to September) and mild winters (November to March) are separated by short fall and spring seasons. Summer has cloudless skies with occasional sea breezes cooling the high temperatures. Winters are mild, with some rain and snow on the Troodos Mountains. April to November are the best months to film for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
The colourful Limassol Carnival takes place in February / March every year.
Greek Cypriots are majority Greek Orthodox, and Turkish Cypriots are majority Sunni Islam, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Cyprus.
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. Southern Cyprus trades in the Euro and northern Cyprus trades in the Turkish lira. Locations, local talent and support crew are inexpensive. Although key crew and some specialized equipment may need to be brought in. Our Cypriot fixer / service producer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget. See here for the current VAT rate.
Tax Incentives. Cyprus offers qualifying productions a 45% cash rebate. The scheme is available for feature films, TV series, documentaries, reality shows, and post production.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Cyprus has a small pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Key crew for larger projects may need to be brought in from abroad. Cyprus’s close proximity to major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of crew should you ever need to look further.
Contact us if you are looking for a Nicosia based based 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 in Cyprus.
Talent is non-union. Day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Greek and Turkish are the official languages.
Greek Cypriots are the majority and Turkish Cypriots are the minority ethnic group. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad. Cyprus’s close proximity to major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of talent should you ever need to look further.
Cyprus Film Equipment
Equipment. Some basic camera, grip and lighting equipment is available locally. You will need to bring in more specialized equipment from abroad. For productions looking to bring in film equipment Cyprus 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.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction is somewhat basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Best to post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Although Cyprus is not a Schengen Area country, its visa policy is based on Schengen requirements. Crew travelling on passports of western countries can enter Cyprus visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. No work permits required for short-stay filming.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Cyprus is a short flight from major European and Middle Eastern cities. EU citizens can travel between north and south Cyprus using official crossing points, regardless of their point of entry to the island. Roads are up to international standards. Several international and budget airlines service flights to Cyprus.
Accommodation. Contact us for special rates at film friendly hotels in Cyprus. For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments. Hotels of note include:
Apokryfo Traditional Houses, Lofou
Final Notes
Safety. Cyprus is a very safe place for foreign productions to visit. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Try Cypriot Coffee.
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 Cyprus, please see below:
Hire Cyprus Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Cyprus, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Cyprus, 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.
