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

Filming in Lebanon

For an introduction to shooting in Lebanon 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.

Lebanon Film Locations

Lebanon is a Middle Eastern country located on the Mediterranean coast. Film locations include a blend of Middle Eastern, European and ancient architecture, sandy beaches, rugged coastline, snowy mountains, luscious fields and farms, wild greenery, cedar forests, and waterfalls. All of Lebanon’s locations can be reached within a 2 hour drive of Beirut.

Agricultural film locations include vineyards, and plantations of wheat, barley, olives, tobacco, figs, citrus fruits, avocados, bananas, and hashish. Sheep and goats are herded. Energy locations include thermal fired power plants, and hydroelectric dams.

Lebanon hosted productions including Capharnaüm (2018), The Insult (2017), Carlos the Jackal (2010), Caramel (2007), and Spy Game (2001).

Film locations can be divided into the following governorates:

Beirut

Beirut is the capital, largest city, and the main film production centre where crew and equipment are based. It is a beautiful and vibrant city known for its nightlife, souks, mosques, Crusader castles, beaches, and Art Deco architecture.

Hamra is Beirut’s trendy cultural centre.

Martyrs’ Square is the main square.

Government locations include the Grand Serail, Lebanese Parliament, Beirut City Hall, and United Nations Lebanon Headquarters.

Museums of note include National Museum of Beirut, Sursock Museum, Archaeology Museum of the American University of Beirut, NABU Museum, Robert Mouawad Private Museum, and MIM Museum.

Souk El Tayeb is known for its traditional Lebanese cuisine.

Religious locations include Al-Omari Grand Mosque, Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, St George Maronite Cathedral, St George’s Greek Orthodox, and Cathedral of Saint Elias and Saint Gregory the Illuminator. The Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon overlooks Beirut.

Contemporary buildings include Beirut Terraces designed by Herzog & de Meuron, Aïshti Foundation Building, and Iris Beirut Rooftop Bar.

Al Ba’sa (The Grudge) is Beirut’s thinnest building.

Transport locations include Port of Beirut, and Rafic Hariri International Airport.

The Holiday Inn Beirut is a ruined hotel and symbol of the Lebanese Civil War.

Raouche Rocks are iconic rock formations.

Beirut also has Roman Bath Ruins.

Mount Lebanon

Heading out of Beirut you can find the Mount Lebanon governorate which includes the districts of Aley, Baabda, Chouf, and Matn.

This region of Lebanon is predominately Christian.

Byblos is known for its Old Souk and Byblos Castle built by the Crusaders.

The Hope for Peace Monument in located in Yarze.

Roumieh Prison is a large notorious prison.

Beiteddine Palace and Moussa Castle are beautiful film locations.

Jeita Grotto is an extensive limestone cave.

Jounieh is known for its beaches.

Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is known for its Lebanon cedar forests.

Mzaar Kfardebian is the largest ski resort in the Middle East.

Akkar

Akkar, the northernmost governorate, includes the district of Akkar.

Baalbek-Hermel

Baalbek-Hermel governorate, located in the northeast of the country, includes the districts of Baalbek, and Hermel.

Baalbek is an ancient Phoenician city known for its Roman ruins including the Temple of Bacchus and Temple of Jupiter.

Monastery of St Maron is a Maronite monastery.

Beqaa

Beqaa governorate, located in the east of the country, includes the districts of Rashaya, Western Beqaa, and Zahle.

The Beqaa Valley is Lebanon’s fertile farming region. Crops of note include wheat, corn, cotton, vegetables, wines, and hashish.

Keserwan-Jbeil

Keserwan-Jbeil governorate, located on the coast, includes the districts of Byblos, and Keserwan.

Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve is located in this region.

Nabatieh

Nabatieh governorate, located in the southeast of the country, includes the districts of Bint Jbeil, Hasbaya, Marjeyoun, and Nabatieh.

Beaufort Castle is a Crusader castle.

North

North governorate, located on the north coast, includes the districts of Batroun, Bsharri, Koura, Miniyeh-Danniyeh, Tripoli, and Zgharta.

Cedars of God, located in the Kadisha Valley of Bsharre, are one of the last forests of Lebanon cedars.

Kadisha Valley is a dramatic river gorge with ancient rock-cut churches and monasteries.

Qurnat as Sawdā, is the highest point in Lebanon.

Baatara Gorge Waterfall is another impressive film location.

Palm Islands Nature Reserve is a remote location known for its sandy beaches.

The city of Tripoli is known for the Mansouri Great Mosque, Taynal Mosque, and the Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles built by the Crusaders.

Mseilha Fort is a Crusader castle.

Nabu Museum is located in El-Heri.

South

South governorate, located in the southwest of the country, includes the districts of Sidon, Jezzine, and Tyre.

Southern Lebanon is known for its large Shi’a Muslim population.

The Hezbollah Museum of Resistance can be found in this part of the country.

The Temple of Eshmun is an ancient place of worship dedicated to Eshmun, the Phoenician god of healing.

Tyre is an ancient Phoenician city known for its Roman ruins including the Hippodrome, and Necropolis.

The Sidon Sea Castle was built by the Crusaders.

Jezzine Waterfall is a spectacular waterfall with a town in the background.

Lebanon Film Location Permits

Lebanon is one of the most liberal countries in the Middle East. Whether you are looking to film bikinis or burkhas just about everything is possible in Lebanon.

Permits are generally a quick and easy process. B-roll shoots around Beirut require permits from the army and government. These permits generally take about a week to get. More complicated shoots involving traffic control or large setups require more time and consultation with the police. Shoots involving drones require at least two weeks to permit. Journalists heading to film in Beirut’s southern suburbs will need permission from Hezbollah’s media office and an accompanying escort. Please contact us for location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Lebanon’s summers (June to September) are hot and dry. Winters (December to March) are cold and wet with snowfall common in mountain areas. Spring (April / May) through to fall (October / November) are the best months to film for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.

Lebanon is a religiously diverse country. The majority of Lebanese are Sunni and Shia Muslims. Ramadan is observed although unlike much of the Middle East during this time, Lebanon remains open for business. There is also a community of Maronite, Orthodox, and Melkite Christians, as well as a Druze minority.

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

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. Lebanon has one of the least expensive shoot day costs in the Middle East. Our Lebanese 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 films or commercials shooting in Lebanon.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. The pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers is small. Lebanon has some good local performance directors and a good depth of experienced key crew. Departments often cross over. All key and supporting crews speak good English, French and Arabic. Crews are non-union. Lebanon’s close proximity to Dubai and major European production centres allows easy access to those crews should you need to look further.

Contact us if you are looking for a Beirut 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 for your shoot in Lebanon.

Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.

Arabic is the official language.

Arabs are the main ethnic group. There is also a minority of Armenian people. Lebanon offers a diverse cross section of Middle Eastern looking talent with some blonde, Asian, East Indian and African minorities also available, although mainly for background roles. All other talent looks are best cast abroad. Lebanon’s relatively close proximity to major European production centres and Dubai allows easy access to those pools of talent should you ever need to look further.

Lebanon Film Equipment

Most camera, grip and lighting equipment is available including Technocrane and speed cameras. Check out Gamma Engineering and Phoenix Eye for rentals. Some mounts and other specialised equipment need to be brought in from Dubai or Europe. For productions looking to bring in film equipment Lebanon 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 some of the best in the Middle East.

Studios. The best facilities are Studio Vision and Platform Studios. Facilities are often booked up by regional TV programmes.

Backlots. None exist at present.

Post Production. Some good colorists and sound designers available locally but visiting productions generally post abroad.

Visas & Work Permits

Most nationalities can obtain visas on arrival allowing stays for a period of up to 1 month. Note, crew members holding passports that contain visas or entry/exit stamps for Israel will likely be refused entry into Lebanon. Visiting crews are not required to have work permits.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure. Lebanon’s extensive road network is mostly in a good condition. Lebanon is a small country so most locations are a short drive away. Beirut is well serviced by several international airlines.

Accommodation. Contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon. For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.

Final Notes

Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. Hanna Mitri is said to have the world’s best ice cream. Traditional dishes include kibbeh, tabouleh, fattoush, and manakish.

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 Lebanon, please see below:

Hire Lebanon Production Support & Shooting Crew

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

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