Slovakia 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 Slovakia? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Slovakia
For an introduction to shooting in Slovakia 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.
Slovakia Film Locations
Slovakia is best known for its castles, fortress ruins, snowy mountains, pinewood forests, rushing rivers, bubbling creeks, waterfalls, traditional villages, Eastern Bloc architecture, and unique Roma communities.
Agricultural film locations include wheat, rye and corn fields. Slovakia has many vineyards throughout the south and southwest of the country. Industrial locations include factories that produce automobiles and electronics. Energy locations include coal-fired, nuclear, and hydroelectric power plants.
Slovakia has hosted films such as The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024), Dune (2021), Dracula (2020), The Painted Bird (2019), Hanna (2019-), Red Sparrow (2018), Marco Polo (2014–2016), Hostel: Part II (2007), Eragon (2006), Behind Enemy Lines (2001), The Peacemaker (1997), and Dragonheart (1996).
From west to east, film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital, the largest city, and main production centre where crew and equipment need to travel from. Film locations include Bratislava Castle, Devín Castle, Grassalkovich Palace, Episcopal Summer Palace, Primate’s Palace, St Martin’s Cathedral, Blue Church, Rusovce Mansion, Old Town Hall, Main Square, Michael’s Gate, Slovak National Theatre, Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, Slovak National Museum, Kamzík TV Tower, Slovenský Rozhlas, UFO Observation Deck, Tehelné Pole Football Stadium, Ondrej Nepela Arena, Bratislava-Petržalka Railway Station, Bratislava Airport, as well as lively bars and cafes.
Located on the banks of the Danube, bordering both Austria and Hungary, Bratislava is only a short 60km drive from Vienna. Given that Bratislava based crews and equipment are considerably less expensive than Austrian crews, cost savvy productions often choose to run their Vienna productions through Bratislava.
Červený Kameň Castle ruin is located in the Bratislava region.
Trnava
A short drive out from Bratislava takes you into the Trnava region.
The city of Trnava is known for St Nicolas Church, Trnava Town Hall, and Anton Malatinský Stadium.
Other locations of note in this region include Smolenice Castle, Branč Castle, Driny Cave, Water Edge-Runner Mill Jelka, and Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant.
Trenčín
The city of Trenčín is known for Trenčín Synagogue, and Trenčín Castle.
Other castles of note in this region include the fairytale Bojnice Castle, Beckov Castle, and Čachtice Castle which was the home of Elizabeth Báthory.
Nitra
The city of Nitra is known for St Emmeram’s Cathedral and Nitra Castle, Andrej Bagar Theatre, and Nitra Synagogue.
Komárno has a beautiful town square.
Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant is located in the Nitra region.
Žilina
Orava Castle is a fairytale location used as Dracula’s castle in Dracula (2020), and Nosferatu (1922).
Located in the Low Tatras, Jasná Nízke Tatry is Slovakia’s largest ski resort.
Other locations of note in this region include the Demänovská Cave of Liberty, Lúčansky Waterfall, Veľký Rozsutec, Strečno Castle, Budatín Castle, and Lietava Castle.
Banská Bystrica
Banská Štiavnica is a picturesque medieval fairytale town known for Slovak National Uprising Square, and Museum of the Slovak National Uprising.
Špania Dolina is a picturesque old mining town.
Other locations in this region include Štiavnica Mountains, Zvolen Castle, and Chopok Ski Area.
Prešov
The High Tatras Mountains, which are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains, offer a more cost competitive alternative to filming in the Alps. Gerlachovský štít is Slovakia’s highest peak. Lomnický štít is another well known peak. Skalnaté pleso and Zelené pleso are picturesque mountain lakes. Good snow coverage is expected by early November. For up to date High Tatras snow conditions please see here.
Bardejov is a picturesque town known for its medieval Town Hall Square.
Levoča is another beautiful town known for its well preserved town wall, a Gothic church, and Renaissance buildings.
Skok Waterfall, and Pieniny National Park are also located in this region.
Košice
Košice is the second largest city in Slovakia. Film locations include St Elizabeth Cathedral, National Theatre Košice, SPOT Važecká, Steel Aréna, and Košice International Airport.
The medieval ruins of Spiš Castle are an impressive location in this part of Slovakia.
Other locations of note include Slovak Paradise National Park, Závojový Waterfall, Dobšinská Ice Cave, and Krásna Hôrka Castle.
Slovakia Film Location Permits
Downtown locations take a week. Most other locations usually take two to three days for permission. Slovakia offers locations that are normally difficult to access such as blocking traffic on overpasses and busy city streets. National Park permits for shooting in the High Tatras typically take a week but can be rushed through in three days in the event of an emergency. Please contact us for more location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Slovakia has a typical four-season climate with warm summers, colourful leaves in fall, white winters, and spring in full bloom. May to September are the best months to film for sunny weather. November to April are the best months for snowy mountain looks. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Festivals and events of interest include the Sled Dog World Championships Sprint held in Donovaly in February, and the Východná Folklore Festival held in July.
Slovakia is a predominately Christian country, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Slovakia.
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. Slovakia is much less expensive than western Europe but more expensive than some of its eastern neighbours such as Latvia, Romania or Ukraine. Slovakia trades in the Euro. Our Slovakian service producer / fixer 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. Slovakia offers qualifying film and TV productions a 33% cash rebate.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Slovakia has a small pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Local crews are non-union. Slovakia has good crews who have extensive international production experience. Key crew all speak fluent English. Slovakian stunt crews are world renowned. Slovakia’s close proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access to those technical and creative crews should you ever need to look further.
Contact us if you are looking for a Bratislava 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 Slovakia.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.
Slovak is the official language.
Slovakia is predominately Slovak, with large minorities of Hungarians, Czechs and Gypsies. Other looks are not as widely available and are best cast abroad. Slovakia’s close proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of talent should you ever need to look further.
Fringes. No hidden extras. Crew members are independent contractors.
Premiums. Slovakia works on a 12 hour shoot day. Crew do not deduct lunch so there is 11 hours of shooting time. Double time is paid for seventh day. There are no other premiums.
Slovakia Film Equipment
Equipment. Slovakia has a decent stock of locally available camera, grip and lighting equipment. Additional equipment can be easily brought in from the well stocked film centres of Prague or Vienna. For productions looking to bring in film equipment Slovakia is an ATA carnet country.
Communications. 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.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction. High quality art department and construction is one of the main reasons to shoot in Slovakia. Slovak construction companies are renowned internationally.
Studios. Not many to choose from. The largest is Koliba Studios.
Post Production. Processing and telecine is best done in nearby Listofilm Vienna.
Visas & Work Permits
Slovakia is a member of the Schengen Area. Only certain countries need visas and there is no need for work permits. Visiting US film crews can enter visa-free for a period of up to 90 days. Contact your local Slovak embassy / representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure is all up to known and expected world standards. Bratislava is serviced well from many airports across Europe. Vienna’s international airport is only 35 km away from Slovakia.
Accommodation. Contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Bratislava and other parts of Slovakia. For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments. Accommodation of note includes Mamaison Residence Sulekova.
Final Notes
Safety. Slovakia is a very safe and reliable filming centre. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Visit one of the many castles or explore the picturesque High Tatras.
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 Slovakia, please see below:
Hire Slovakia Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Slovakia, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Slovakia, 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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