Palestine 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 Palestine? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Palestine
For an introduction to shooting in Palestine 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.
Palestine Film Locations
Located in the Middle East, Palestine includes the West Bank and Gaza Strip territories. Film locations include historic religious locations, mosques, arid landscapes, the Jordan River, Dead Sea, and Mediterranean Sea.
Agricultural film locations includes plantations of olives, citrus, fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
West Bank
The West Bank is a landlocked territory located between Israel and Jordan.
The ancient city of Jerusalem is known for its important Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious sites. Both Israel and Palestine claim Jerusalem as their capital. Jerusalem locations of note include the following:
• The Dome of the Rock, next to the Al-Aqsa Mosque within the Temple Mount complex, is one of Islam’s most holiest sites.
• Western Wall (Wailing Wall) is the most religious site in the world for the Jewish people.
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the site of the tomb of Jesus.
• Via Dolorosa is the path that Jesus took to his crucifixion.
• Gethsemane where Jesus underwent the agony in the garden.
• Mount of Olives where Jesus ascended to heaven, is also an ancient Jewish cemetery.
• Pool of Bethesda site where Jesus performed healing miracles.
• The Cenacle is the site of the Last Supper.
• Mount Zion was the City of David, then the Temple Mount, and now the name of ancient Jerusalem’s Western Hill.
• Tower of David is an ancient citadel.
• King David’s Tomb is the burial place of biblical King David of Israel.
• Abbey of the Dormition is a Benedictine church.
• Jerusalem city gates include the Zion, Dung, Golden, Lion, Herrod, Damascus, New, and Jaffa gates.
• Israel Museum is one of the world’s leading encyclopedic museums.
• Bible Lands Museum is an archaeological museum.
• Yad Vashem is a Holocaust memorial.
• Mount Herzl cemetery is Israel’s national cemetery.
• Mahane Yehuda Market is a popular marketplace in Jerusalem.
Just south of Jerusalem, Bethlehem is the biblical birthplace of Jesus. The Church of the Nativity is located in Bethlehem.
Jericho locations of note include Hisham’s Palace, St. George’s Monastery, and the Monastery of the Temptation.
Hebron is home to the Cave of the Patriarchs.
Ramallah is the West Bank’s administrative centre.
Mar Saba Monastery is a Greek Orthodox monastery overlooking the Kidron Valley.
Sebastia is home to John the Baptist’s tomb.
Herodium is a fortress ruins which was once a palace fortress of Herod the Great.
The Jordan River runs down the east of Palestine into the Dead Sea.
The Israeli West Bank barrier is a separation barrier in the West Bank. Sections of the wall have interesting graffiti art.
Gaza Strip
Gaza is a self-governing Palestinian territory located on the Mediterranean Sea between Israel and Egypt. The densely populated Gaza City is the largest city in Palestine. Film locations of note include the Port of Gaza, Hussainia Mosque, Gaza War Cemetery, and Islamic University of Gaza.
Palestine Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Palestine has a Mediterranean climate. Winters (November to March) are mild and rainy, with occasional snowfall in mountainous regions. Spring (April to May) has mild temperatures with plenty of sunshine. Summers (June to August) are long, hot and very dry. Fall (September to October) has milder temperatures with very little rain. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Palestinians are predominately Muslim. Ramadan is observed with some services closed during this period.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Palestine.
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. Locations and talent costs are inexpensive but since no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Our Palestinian 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 Palestine.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Palestine has a very small pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Key crew are best brought in from abroad. The closest crews are in Israel, Jordan or major European production centres.
Contact us if you are looking for a 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 Palestine.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Arabic is the official language.
Palestine offers mainly Arab talent. All other talent needs to be brought in from abroad.
Palestine Film Equipment
Equipment. Only the most basic camera, grip and lighting equipment is available locally. You will need to bring in most standard equipment from abroad.
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 very basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. We post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Palestine is subject to the visa policy of Israel. Access to Jerusalem and the West Bank is controlled by the Government of Israel. An entry stamp that permits travel only to the West Bank, does not permit the bearer to enter Jerusalem or Israel.
International crews that intend on making any future travel to Muslim countries may wish to ask Israeli border guards to not stamp their passports with the Israeli entry / exit stamps. Similarly, crew members with extensive travel to Muslim countries or those of Arab, Middle Eastern, or Muslim origin may face additional questioning by Israeli immigration and border authorities.
US passport holders see here for more information.
Access to Gaza is controlled by Hamas. If travelling to Gaza via the Rafah crossing, visitors need to obtain permission from the Egyptian embassy prior to travelling.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are in a fair condition. There are no civilian airports within the West Bank or Gaza so entry by air is through Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Land entry through Jordan is at Aqaba / Eilat or Allenby. Entry through Egypt is at Rafah. Border crossings into Palestine can experience significant delays so allow plenty of time.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Jerusalem include:
Harmony Hotel
The King David
Dan Boutique Hotel
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 delicious local cuisine such as makdous, musakhan, qidreh, labneh, maqluba, shakshouka, kunāfah, mujaddara, hummus, and falafel.
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 Palestine, please see below:
Hire Palestine Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Palestine, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Palestine, 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.
