Iceland 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 Iceland? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Iceland
For an introduction to shooting in Iceland see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, fringes, premiums, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.
Iceland Film Locations
Iceland is located at the confluence of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The nation offers a great variety of dramatic, otherworldly locations within a short distance from each other. The “land of fire and ice” is famous for its geothermal hot springs, lakes, active volcanoes, lava fields, geysers, snow-covered mountains, glaciers, spectacular waterfalls, salmon-filled rivers, bright green fields, rugged coastline, pink and black sand beaches, epic roads and tunnels, turf houses, and picturesque villages. The Ring Road that circles the island allows for quick and easy road access to many of the country’s best film locations. The surrounding waters are home to a diversity of whales. Night skies offer Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) photography.
Agricultural film locations are limited given the short growing season. Many crops are grown in greenhouses heated with geothermal energy. Sheep and dairy cows wander the landscape. A diversity of fishing vessels are available for filming. Iceland has several aluminium smelters, even though it imports all of its bauxite. Tourism is the economic mainstay. Energy locations include hydroelectric dams and geothermal power plants. Nearly all of Iceland’s electricity is generated from renewables.
Iceland has hosted a long, impressive list of films and TV shows including Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024), Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023), The Northman (2022), Foundation (2021-), Game of Thrones (2011-2019), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), Interstellar (2014), Noah (2014), Oblivion (2013), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), Thor: The Dark World (2013), The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013), Prometheus (2012), Batman Begins (2005), and Die Another Day (2002), to name a few.
Film locations can be divided by the following constituencies:
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital, the largest city, and main film production centre. It is one of the windiest cities on earth. Mount Esja overlooks Reykjavík.
Government buildings include the Alþingishúsið Parliament Building, Prime Minister’s Office, and Reykjavík City Hall.
Museums and entertainment venues include Harpa Concert Hall, Perlan which has a rotating glass dome, Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús, Reykjavík Art Museum Kjarvalsstaðir, Icelandic Phallological Museum, Reykjavík Art Museum, National Gallery of Iceland, Saga Museum, Reykjavík Art Museum Kjarvalsstaðir, Einar Jónsson Museum, Culture House, Höfði House, and Laugardalsvöllur Stadium.
Churches of note include Hallgrimskirkja Church, and Landakotskirkja Cathedral.
University campuses include the University of Iceland, and Reykjavík University.
Thermal baths include Laugardalslaug Thermal Baths, and Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach.
Old Harbour is the main fishing port.
Grótta Island Lighthouse is located in Reykjavík.
The nearby Akurey and Lundey islands are known for their puffin populations.
South Iceland
Iceland’s best known tourist destination Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is located a 45min drive southwest of Reykjavík.
Vatnajökull National Park is known for its waterfalls, volcanoes, mountains, glacier lagoons, and glacial rivers. Its huge glaciers include Skaftafellsjökull, and Svínafellsjökull which featured in Interstellar (2014), and Batman Begins (2005). Trails lead to Kristínartindar Mountain and to Svartifoss waterfall, which tumbles over black basalt columns. Jökulsárlón is a bright blue glacial lake dotted with floating icebergs situated at the head of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Hvannadalshnjúkur is the country’s highest peak.
South Iceland is blessed with many magnificent waterfalls including Gullfoss, Hjálparfoss, Brúarfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Svartifoss, Skógafoss, Háifoss, Faxi, and Gljúfrabúi.
Eyjafjallajökull is an active volcano.
Reynisdrangar are basalt sea stacks framed by a striking black sand beach near the village Vík í Mýrdal. The location featured in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), and Star Trek into Darkness (2013).
The Great Geysir spouts water hundreds of feet into the air.
The Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck is a striking film location resting on a black sand beach.
The Hofskirkja Church in the village of Hof is a picturesque turf church.
Thridrangar is a spectacular lighthouse location sitting high atop a rock pillar.
Thingvellir National Park is home to Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake. Silfra and Davíðsgjá rift dives are two popular underwater photography locations. Öxarárfoss waterfall is also located in the park.
Landmannalaugar is a geothermal paradise in the Icelandic highlands Fjallabak Nature Reserve.
Fjaðrárgljúfur is a deep and winding river canyon that would feature well in a chase scene or a Justin Bieber music video.
Secret Lagoon is the oldest geothermal swimming pool in Iceland.
Dyrhólaey is a natural rock arch located on the coast.
Kerið is a volcanic crater lake.
Vestrahorn is a striking mountain rising up above black sands.
Reykjadalur is a natural hot spring river warm enough to bathe in.
Reykjanesviti is the oldest lighthouse in Iceland.
Viking Village Film Set is located in Höfn.
Vestmannaeyjar is a volcanic archipelago. Heimaey is the largest and only inhabited island. It has 2 volcanoes, Helgafell and Eldfell. Surtsey is a recently formed island.
Keflavík International Airport is located near Reykjavík.
Northwest Iceland
Snæfellsjökull National Park is known for its dramatic landscapes of black sand beaches, and rock formations including Djúpalónssandur, Lóndrangar, and Gatklettur. Snæfellsjökull is a glacier-capped volcano.
Budirkirkja is a lone black church located in a mossy setting.
Kirkjufell mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall featured as arrowhead mountain in Game of Thrones (2011-2019).
The remote Westfjords Region is known for Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, the home of the Arctic Fox. Látrabjarg sea cliffs are home to millions of birds including puffins. Rauðasandur Beach is known for its pink and red sand. Dynjandi (Fjallfoss) waterfall is also located in the Westfjords Region.
Other interesting waterfalls in Northwest Iceland include Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, and Glymur.
Hvítserkur is a unique basalt stack structure located on the coast.
Deildartunguhver is a hot spring in Reykholtsdalur.
Northeast Iceland
Mývatn volcanic lake area is known for its naturally heated lagoon, Hverfjall volcanic crater, and the geothermal areas of Námafjall, Hverir, and Námaskarð.
Grjótagjá is a beautiful lava cave located near Mývatn.
Ásbyrgi Canyon is a horseshoe-shaped glacial canyon home to pine, birch, and fir forests.
Stuðlagil Canyon is a spectacular film location.
Dettifoss waterfall featured in Oblivion (2013), and Prometheus (2012). Other beautiful waterfalls in Northeast Iceland include Goðafoss, Hengifoss, Selfoss, and Aldeyjarfoss.
Borgarfjörður Eystri featured in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013).
Askja is an active volcano.
Krafla is a volcanic caldera.
Iceland Film Location Permits
Most locations only take a few days for permission. Locking city streets and shooting in national parks can take up to 4 days but in urgent cases this can be expedited. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Iceland is cold, but not as cold as the name suggests. When viewed from a plane, Iceland is green (as opposed to Greenland, which is white). This climate is tempered by the passing warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The south is the wettest part of the country where snow is rare. Coastal areas tend to experience windy weather. The summer months have almost continuous daylight. July and August are the warmest months. Early spring and late fall feature long twilight periods. From November until the end of January winter experiences only a few hours of daylight each day. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Festivals and events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Thorrablot in January / February.
• Reykjavík Icelandic Horse Festival in March / April.
• Bright Days Festival in June.
• Sjomannadagur Festival (Seafarers Day) in June.
• Jonsmessa celebrates the longest day of the year in June.
• September to March is the best time to photograph the Aurora Borealis.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Iceland.
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. Iceland is generally the least expensive of the Nordic countries. The financial crisis of 2008–11 heavily devalued Iceland’s currency making it a more cost competitive film destination than it was years in the years before that. The USD remains very strong against the Icelandic Krona. Our Reykjavík based fixer / service producer will negotiate deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. Iceland offers qualifying productions a 35% rebate on costs incurred in Iceland on films, TV productions and documentaries. This includes recording your music for your film. This at present does not apply to TV commercials or music videos.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Iceland has a small but good pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Local crews are non-union. Icelandic crews are known to be skilled, creative and resourceful. They are known for their no-nonsense, straightforward approach. Crews all speak fluent English. Iceland’s close proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access to those crews should you ever need to look further.
Contact us if you are looking for a Reykjavík 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 Iceland.
Talent. There is an actors union but models are non-union. Day rates and buyouts are negotiated on a case by case basis. Iceland is sparsely populated country with mainly Nordic looking talent. Most other looks need to be brought in.
Fringes are 13.98% and consist of 3 items (pension fund, social security contribution and health and insurance fund).
Premiums. Crews work a twelve-hour shoot day and time and a half after that. No night or holiday premiums.
Iceland Film Equipment
Equipment. Iceland is Arri based. Most standard camera, lighting and grip equipment is available locally. More specialised equipment such as Technocrane, Motion Control, Spacecam can be easily brought in from London. For productions looking to bring in film equipment Iceland 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 of a very high standard although Iceland tends to attract productions with its locations.
Studios. Most filming in Iceland is location based. There are some good local studios such as Atlantic Studios.
Backlots. There is a viking village film set near the town of Höfn.
Post Production. Iceland has some post facilities.
Visas & Work Permits
Iceland is a Schengen Area member state. Work permits are generally not required for filming short-form projects in Iceland. US film crews can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Contact your local Icelandic embassy / representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Roads are well maintained and traffic is scarce. The Ring Road loops around the country linking all the main towns. Our Icelandic fixer / producer can quickly arrange safe and reliable 4WD or helicopter transport for journeys to more remote film locations. Several international carriers service flights to Iceland. Keflavík International Airport located near Reykjavík is the main entry point by air. Reykjavík is a 3 hour flight from London and 5 hours from New York.
Accommodation. Contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Reykjavík. For longer stays we can also organise serviced apartments. Hotels of note include:
Final Notes
Safety. Iceland is a very safe and reliable filming centre. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. When you’re done filming the island’s natural beauty, go sit in a geothermal spa.
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 Iceland, please see below:
Hire Iceland Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Iceland, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Iceland, 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.
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