Tajikistan 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 Tajikistan? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Tajikistan
For an introduction to shooting in Tajikistan 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.
Tajikistan Film Locations
Tajikistan is a mountainous landlocked country located in Central Asia. It is known for its ancient Silk Road locations, rugged mountains, glaciers and glacial lakes, rushing rivers, and stunning valleys. The Pamir Highway runs the length of the country.
Tajikistan easily doubles for Afghanistan looks whilst being a much safer place to shoot.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of cotton, potatoes, wheat, corn, barley, rice, and poppies. Industrial locations include gold, silver, and antimony mines, as well as aluminium processing plants. In terms of energy locations Tajikistan has hydroelectric plants.
Films shot in Tajikistan include Special Forces (2011), and Stalker (1979).
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Dushanbe
Dushanbe is the capital and the largest city. Film locations of interest include the National Museum, National Museum of Antiquities, Navruz Palace, Palace of Unity, National Library, Ismaili Centre, Ayni Opera House, Rudaki Park, Tajikistan Column, Korvon Bazaar, and Zelenyy Bazaar, Khoja Obi Garm Sanatorium, Dushanbe Railway Station, and Dushanbe International Airport.
Region of Republican Subordination
This centrally located region surrounds the city of Dushanbe.
Hisor Fort is located just outside of Dushanbe.
The National Tea House, located in Hisor, is an unusual melon-shaped building.
Nurek Hydroelectric Dam is one of the tallest dams in the world.
Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region
The Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region is an autonomous region located in eastern Tajikistan. The region is largest by landmass and smallest by population size.
Much of the Pamir Mountains fall within the region.
Spectacular mountain lakes of note include Karakul Lake and Sarez Lake.
Yamchun Fort ruins are a striking location set against an arid mountain backdrop.
Shorbulak Observatory is an abandoned Soviet-era observatory.
Gharm-Chashma is a hot spring located in the mountains of the Ishkoshim Range.
Sughd Region
The Sughd Region is located in the northwest of the country.
The Fann Mountains are located in this region.
Iskanderkul Lake, Alaudin Lake, Timur-Dara Lake, and Marguzor Lake are beautiful glacial mountain lakes.
Lake Aksukon is a salt lake located in this region.
The city of Khujand is known for Panchshanbe bazaar. It also has a statue of Lenin which is the largest in Central Asia.
The Tomb of Rudaki is located in Panjakent.
Anzob Tunnel is a 5km long vehicle tunnel which is unlit, potholed, and unventilated.
Khatlon Region
The Khatlon Region is located in the southwest of the country.
Hulbuk Fortress is located in Pingan.
40 Girls in Childukhtaron is a mountain of unique rock spires and local legend.
Tajikistan Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings without prior permission. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
The climate changes drastically according to elevation. Lowland areas, including the Fergana Valley, have a continental climate with very cold winters, while the arid southwestern lowlands are much warmer. The mountains can be very cold and subject to extremes of temperature all year round.
Tajikistan’s winter (December to February) is very cold and snowy. Spring (March to May) brings mild temperatures but frequent, heavy showers. April is the best time to film in southern Tajikistan with wildflowers in bloom. Summer (June to September) is very hot and dry in the south but offers good weather for filming in the Pamir mountain region. Fall (October to November) is mild in the lowlands. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Navrus is celebrated in March.
Tajikistan is a predominately Muslim country. 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 Tajikistan.
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, local talent and support crew are inexpensive but since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Our Tajik 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 Tajikistan.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Tajikistan has a very small pool of directors, videographers and stills photographers. Key crew should be brought in from abroad.
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 Tajikistan.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Tajiki is the official language. Russian is widely spoken between ethnic groups.
Tajiks are the main ethnic group. Minority groups include Uzbeks, Pamiris, Kyrgyzs, Russians, Turkmens, and Tatars. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad.
Tajikistan Film Equipment
Equipment. Some very basic camera, grip and lighting equipment is available locally. You will need to bring in most 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. Tojikfilm are the state film studios.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Crews travelling on Western passports must have a visa to enter Tajikistan. Visas can be obtained in advance at your closest Tajik embassy, or you can obtain a visa on arrival at Dushanbe Airport, or via the e-Visa system. Our local fixer / service producer will provide crews with a visa support letter to help ease passage through customs and immigration. Crews need to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 3 days of arrival in Tajikistan. Contact your closest Tajik embassy for more information. Note, many flights to Tajikistan transit through Russia, so visitors travelling via Russia will need to comply with Russian transit visa regulations.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Mains roads vary in quality from good to poor. Rural and mountain roads may become impassable during the winter snowfalls and spring snow melt. Several international airlines service flights to Tajikistan.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Dushanbe include:
Hyatt Regency Dushanbe
Dushanbe Serena Hotel
Asia Grand Hotel
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays our Taijk fixer can also organize serviced apartments or homestays with local communities.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Final Notes. Stay in a yurt with Turkic nomads.
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 Tajikistan, please see below:
Hire Tajikistan Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Tajikistan, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Tajikistan, 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.
