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

Filming in Türkiye

For an introduction to shooting in Türkiye 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.

Türkiye Film Locations

Türkiye has a rich architectural heritage dating back thousands of years. As well as a wealth of unique looks, Türkiye also offers visiting productions many locations that double well for other countries. Film locations of note include ancient archaeological ruins, Ottoman-era architecture, rock carved villages, palaces, castles, museums, churches, mosques, caravanserais, madrasas, bazaars, hamams, bridges, unique rocky landscapes, snow-covered mountains, terraced thermal pools, caves, waterfalls, and beaches.

Agricultural film locations are vast and various. Türkiye is a major producer of hazelnuts, cherries, figs, apricots, pomegranates, watermelons, pistachios, apples, olives, tea, almonds, cotton, barley, and wheat. Industrial locations include textile, electronics, and automobile factories. Energy locations include coal-fired power plants, and hydroelectric dams.

Türkiye has hosted feature films including Skyfall (2012), Argo (2012), Taken 2 (2012), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), The World Is Not Enough (1999), Armageddon (1998), and Not Without My Daughter (1991).

Film locations can be divided into the following regions:

Marmara

The Marmara region, located in the northwest of the country, straddles Europe and Asia. Best known for the city of Istanbul the area is also home to many of Türkiye’s olive groves and vineyards which can easily double for Greece or Italy.

The Marmara region includes the provinces of Edirne, İstanbul, Kırklareli, Kocaeli, Tekirdağ, Yalova, Balıkesir, Bilecik, Bursa, Çanakkale, and Sakarya.

İstanbul. Istanbul is the country’s economic, cultural and historic hub as well as the main film production centre. Rich in history, once the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul is a city where old and new, Middle Eastern and European coexist and blend together.

Mosques of note include Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Taksim Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque, Camlica Mosque, Ortaköy Mosque, Hagia Irene, Rüstem Paşa Mosque, Fatih Mosque, Eyüp Sultan Mosque, Kariye Mosque, New Mosque, Bayezid II Mosque, Nuruosmaniye Mosque, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, and Zeyrek Mosque.

Churches of note include Cathedral Church of St George, St. Anthony of Padua Church, Pammakaristos Church, and St Stephen’s Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Palaces and forts of note include Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Çırağan Palace, Yıldız Palace, Küçüksu Pavilion, Rumeli Hisari, Yedikule Hisarı, Galata Tower, and Maiden’s Tower.

Istanbul has several hundred ancient cisterns including Basilica Cistern, and Theodosius Cistern.

Roman era ruins include the Walls of Constantinople, Aqueduct of Valens, and Hippodrome of Constantinople.

Cağaloğlu Hamam is a Turkish bath built during the Ottoman Empire.

Markets of note include Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, and Mahmutpasha Bazaar.

Museums include Istanbul Archaeology Museums, Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Pera Museum, Rahmi M. Koç Museum, Istanbul Military Museum, Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology, Great Palace Mosaic Museum, ARTER, Sakıp Sabancı Museum, and SantralIstanbul.

Entertainment venues include Süreyya Opera House, Atatürk Cultural Center, Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Nef Stadium, and Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

Transport locations include Istanbul Metro, Istanbul Tram, Sirkeci Railway Station, Haydarpaşa Railway Station, Istanbul Airport, Istanbul Atatürk Airport, and the Port of Istanbul.

Bridges crossing the Bosphorus Strait include 15 July Martyrs Bridge, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, and Galata Bridge.

Çiçek Pasajı is a famous historic passage.

Vlora Hanı is an interesting Art Nouveau building.

Prinkipo Orphanage is an interesting abandoned wooden building.

The Camondo Stairs are a unique film location.

Vialand Tema Park is an amusement park available for filming.

Belgrad Forest is a deciduous forest located close to the city.

Istanbul also has a colourful side.

Edirne. The city of Edirne is known for Selimiye Mosque, Old Mosque, Üç Şerefeli Mosque, Muradiye Mosque, Grand Synagogue of Edirne, Complex Of Bayezid II Health Museum, Caravanserai Ekmekçizade, Karaağaç Train Station, and Meriç Bridge.

Edirne is known for its rolling sunflower, and wine grape fields.

Kırklareli. İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park is a landscape of marsh, swamp, lakes and coastal sand dunes.

Kocaeli. Black sea beaches of note include Cebeci Plajı, Kerpe Plajı, Bağırganlı Plajı, and Kefken Plajı.

Tekirdağ. Rákóczi Museum is located in Tekirdağ.

Yalova. Yürüyen Köşk is a wooden seafront villa once owed by Atatürk.

Balıkesir. Locations of note include Mount Ida National Park, Cunda Island, Oren Plajı, and Sarımsaklı Plajı.

Bilecik. Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb is located in Bilecik.

Bursa. Cumalıkızık is a charming Ottoman-era town.

Other Bursa Province film locations include the Grand Mosque of Bursa, Emir Sultan Mosque, Irgandı Köprüsü, Uludag National Park, and Suuçtu Falls.

Çanakkale. Gallipoli Peninsula Historical Site is a WWI site including trenches, cemeteries, and memorials such as Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial.

Troy is an ancient city famous for the Greek myth of the Trojan War. Film locations include archaeological ruins, Troy Museum, and Trojan horse statue.

The Ancient city of Assos has a temple ruins and an ancient theatre.

Castles of note include Bozcaada Castle, Kilitbahir Castle, and Cimenlik Castle.

Sakarya. Acarlar Floodplain Forest is a landscape of seaside, lagoon, dunes, and forest.

Aegean

The Turkish Riviera, located in the southwest of the country, is known for its beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, mountainous backdrops, and ancient ruins.

The Aegean region includes the provinces of Aydın, İzmir, Manisa, Uşak, Afyonkarahisar, Denizli, Kütahya, and Muğla.

Aydın. Büyük Menderes National Park is known for the Büyük Menderes Delta, and Cave of Zeus.

Temple of Apollo is located in the ancient Greek city of Didyma.

Kuşadası is a seaside town known for its rainbow-coloured houses. Kuşadası Castle is located on an island.

İzmir. Izmir is the largest city in the Aegean region. Film locations include Agora Archaeological Site of Smyrna, İzmir Clock Tower, İzmir Tarihi Asansör Binası, Hisar Mosque, Folkart Towers, Konak Pier designed by Gustave Eiffel, Alsancak railway station, Basmane railway station, İzmir Metro, and İzmir Atatürk Stadium.

Ephesus is an ancient city known for the Temple of Artemis, Library of Celsus, Theatre of Ephesus, Temple of Hadrian, Ephesus Archaeological Museum, and İsa Bey Mosque.

Pergamon is an ancient city known for the Pergamon Altar, Theatre, Trajaneum, Temple of Dionysus, Temple of Athena, Library of Pergamon, Gymnasium, Sanctuary of Hera, Sanctuary of Demeter, Sanctuary of Asclepius, and Red Basilica.

Aliaga has a ship breaking yard.

Beaches of note include Ilıca Plajı, Pamucak Plajı, Altinkum Plajı, Kocakarı Plajı, Boyalık Plajı, Pissa Plajı, and Kum Denizi Plajı.

Castles of note include Çandarlı Castle, and Cesme Castle.

Manisa. Spil Mountain National Park is located in Manisa.

Uşak. Film locations include Ulubey Canyon, and Cilandiras Bridge.

Afyonkarahisar. Film locations include Afyonkarahisar Castle, and Gedik Ahmet Pasha Imaret Mosque.

Denizli. Pamukkale is known for its otherworldly terraced thermal pools.

Hierapolis Ancient Theatre is located in Denizli.

Kütahya. Kütahya Castle is located in this province.

Muğla. Bodrum Castle was built by the Crusaders.

Marmaris Castle is another castle in Muğla.

Ancient ruins of note include Kaunos, Tlos, Pinara, and Halicarnassus.

Kayaköy is an abandoned village.

Beaches of note include Ölüdeniz Plajı, İçmeler Plajı, Kidrak Plajı, and Çalış Plajı.

Mediterranean

The Mediterranean region, located in the south of the country, is known for its ancient ruins, beautiful beaches, and mountainous terrain.

The Mediterranean region includes the provinces of Adana, Antalya, Mersin, Burdur, Hatay, Isparta, Osmaniye, and Kahramanmaraş.

Adana. Adana city film locations include Sabancı Merkez Mosque, Taşköprü Roman Stone Bridge, Great Clock Tower.

Varda Viaduct featured in Skyfall (2012).

Misis Bridge is a Roman bridge in Adana Province.

Yılankale Castle, Tumlu Castle, and Anahşa Castle are hilltop castle ruins.

Antalya. Termessos ruins were once a Pisidian city built high in the Taurus Mountains.

Greco-Roman ancient city ruins include Myra, Aspendos, Phaselis, Side, and Patara.

Red Tower is located in Alanya.

Köprülü Canyon is known for the Roman Oluklu Bridge.

Waterfalls of note include Uçansu Falls, Duden Falls, and Manavgat Falls.

Beaches of note include Patara Plajı, Kaputaş Plajı, Kleopatra Plajı, Akçagerme Plajı, Çıralı Plajı, and Konyaaltı Plajı.

The Lycian Way is a 500km long hiking trail.

Mersin. The city of Mersin is known for Mersin Museum, Mersin Naval Museum, Muğdat Mosque, and Mersin container port which is Türkiye’s largest container port.

Mamure Castle is a coastal castle.

Kızkalesi Castle is located on an island.

Cennet and Cehennem are two large sinkholes in the Taurus Mountains.

Tarsus Waterfall is a beautiful film location.

Burdur. Ancient ruins include Sagalassos, and Kibyra.

Hatay. The Hatay Archaeology Museum is located in Antakya.

Isparta. Eğirdir is a beautiful lakeside town.

Osmaniye. Karatepe-Aslantaş National Park is located in Osmaniye Province.

Kahramanmaraş. Yedikuyular Ski Resort is located near the city of Kahramanmaraş.

Black Sea

The Turkish Black Sea coast, located in the north of the country, is a humid and verdant region known for its mountainous forested beauty. The Black Sea landscape has doubled for the UK. The spectacular Çoruh River empties into the Black Sea.

The Black Sea region includes the provinces of Amasya, Gümüşhane, Bartın, Bolu, Giresun, Kastamonu, Karabük, Ordu, Rize, Samsun, Sinop, Tokat, Trabzon, Zonguldak, Artvin, Bayburt, Çorum, and Düzce.

Amasya. The city of Amasya is known for its charming Ottoman-era Yalıboyu riverside houses, as well as Amasya Castle, and Pontic Kings Rock Tombs.

Gümüşhane. Film locations include Karaca Cave, and Tomara Waterfall.

Bartın. Amasra is a beautiful seaside resort.

Beaches of note include İnkumu Plajı, Çakraz Plajı, and Güzelcehisar Plajı.

Bolu. Burj Al Babas is an abandoned housing development of hundreds of identical castle-style buildings.

Giresun. Castles include Giresun Castle, and Tripolis Castle.

Kastamonu. Film locations include Kastamonu Castle, Ilgaz Mountain National Park, and Ilısu Waterfall in Kure Mountains National Park.

Karabük. Safranbolu is a charming Ottoman-era town.

Ordu. Çambaşı Plateau is an alpine ski area.

Rize. Rize is the heart of Türkiye’s tea growing region.

Film locations include Rize Castle, Şenyuva Bridge, Kaçkar Mountains National Park, Palovit Falls, and Agaran Falls.

Samsun. Gölalan Waterfall is located in Samsun.

Sinop. Film locations include Tatlıca Waterfalls, Boyabat Castle, Sinop Castle, Sinop Fortress Prison, and İnceburun Lighthouse.

Tokat. The city of Tokat film locations include Tokat Castle, Taşhan Caravanserai, Deveciler Hanı Caravanserai, Mahperi Hatun Caravanserai, and Ali Pasha Mosque.

Trabzon. The city of Trabzon is known for Atatürk Pavilion, Trabzon Museum, and Trabzon Castle.

Sümela Monastery is a cliffside Greek Orthodox monastery located in Altindere Valley National Park.

Uzungöl is a picturesque lakeside village.

Zonguldak. Film locations include Cehennemağzı Caves, Gökgöl Cave, and Erdemir steel plant in Ereğli.

Artvin. Borçka Karagöl Nature Park is located in Artvin.

Bayburt. The city of Bayburt film locations include Bayburt Castle, and Bayburt Clock Tower.

Çorum. Çorum Archaeological Museum is located in Çorum.

Düzce. Film locations include Yedigöller National Park, and Güzeldere Falls Nature Park.

Central Anatolia

Central Anatolia, located in Türkiye’s central plateau, is home to the country’s capital, Ankara. It is best known for the spectacular Cappadocia region.

Central Anatolia region includes the provinces of Aksaray, Kırıkkale, Kırşehir, Nevşehir, Ankara, Çankırı, Eskişehir, Karaman, Kayseri, Konya, Niğde, Sivas, and Yozgat.

Ankara. The city of Ankara is Türkiye’s capital.

Anıtkabir is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

The Presidential Complex includes the Nation’s Library of the Presidency.

Mosques of note include Kocatepe Mosque, Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque, Hacı Bayram Mosque, Yeni Mosque, Ahi Elvan Mosque, and Alâeddin Mosque.

Ancient film locations of note include Ankara Castle, Roman Baths of Ankara, Roman Road, Roman Theater, Temple of Augustus and Rome, and Column of Julian.

Museums of note include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, War of Independence Museum, Ethnography Museum, State Art and Sculpture Museum, Republic Museum, Çengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum, Turkish Air Force Museum, Gökyay Association Chess Museum, METU Science and Technology Museum, and Ulucanlar Prison Museum.

Entertainment venues include Ankara Opera House, CSO Ada Ankara, and Ankara Arena.

Transport locations include Ankara YHT railway station, Ankara railway station, Ankara Metro, and Ankara Esenboğa Airport.

The Hamamönü district is known for its Ottoman houses.

Not Without My Daughter (1991) filmed Ankara for Iran.

Elmadag Ski Resort is on the outskirts of the city.

Soğuksu National Park is located in Ankara Province.

Beypazarı is a charming Ottoman-era town.

Aksaray. Ihlara Valley is known for its rock cut buildings.

Other Aksaray Province film locations include Sultanhanı Caravanserai, Selime Cathedral, Aksaray Grand Mosque, Çanlı Kilise, and Lake Tuz pink salt lake.

Kırıkkale. Çeşnigir Bridge is located in Kırıkkale Province.

Kırşehir. Cacabey Medresesi is located in Kırşehir Province.

Nevşehir. Cappadocia is a region of unique rocky landscapes, villages carved out of hillsides, underground cities, and the sky dotted with colourful hot air balloons. Ortahisar is a spectacular town known for its rock cut houses and castle. Other Cappadocia film locations include Uchisar Castle, Imaginary Valley, Love Valley, Fairy Chimneys, Göreme Open Air Museum, Göreme village, Zelve Open-Air Museum, Soğanlı Open-Air Museum, Red Valley, Pigeon Valley, Al Nazar Church, Çavusin Church, Gümüşler Monastery, Haji Bektash Veli Complex, Hacıbektaş, Ürgüp, Kaymakli Underground City, and Derinkuyu Underground City.

Çankırı. Yıldıztepe is a ski resort in Çankırı.

Eskişehir. The city of Eskişehir is known for Tülomsaş Museum, Eskişehir Aviation Museum, and Odunpazari Modern Museum designed by Kengo Kuma.

Karaman. Manazan is a village carved into a rock face. Other Karaman Province film locations include Taşkale Granaries, and Karaman Castle.

Kayseri. Film locations include Erciyes Ski Resort, Sultan Reedy National Park, Kapuzbaşı Selalesi Waterfall, Kayseri Castle, Kayseri Bazaar, Bürüngüz Mosque, and Kayseri Surp Krikor Lusavoric Armenian Church.

Konya. The city of Konya is known for Mevlâna Museum, Selimiye Mosque, Aziziye Mosque, Alâeddin Mosque, Karatay Madrasa, İnce Minareli Medrese, Konya Archaeological Museum, Konya Science Center, and Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden.

Other Konya Province film locations include Çatalhöyük Neolithic archaeological site, Lake Beyşehir National Park, and Esrefoglu Mosque.

Niğde. Film locations include Gümüşler Monastery, Nigde Castle, and Aladaglar National Park.

Sivas. The city of Sivas is known for Gök Medrese, Sifaiye Madrasah, Çifte Minareli Medrese and Sivas Congress and Ethnography Museum.

Divriği Great Mosque is located in Divriği.

Yozgat. The city of Yozgat is known for Yozgat Pine Grove National Park, Çapanoğlu Mosque, and Yozgat Clock Tower.

Eastern Anatolia

Eastern Anatolia, located in the east of the country, is known for its harsh mountainous landscape. It is home to a large Kurdish population.

Eastern Anatolia region includes the provinces of Ağrı, Bingöl, Bitlis, Elazığ, Erzincan, Malatya, Hakkâri, Iğdır, Kars, Muş, Tunceli, Van, Ardahan, Erzurum, and Şırnak.

Ağrı. Ishak Pasha Palace is an Ottoman-era palace.

Bingöl. Hesarek Ski Resort is located in Bingöl Province.

Bitlis. The Tombstones of Ahlat are located in Bitlis Province.

Elazığ. Harput Castle is located in Elazığ Province.

Erzincan. Munzur Valley National Park is located in Erzincan Province.

Malatya. Film locations include Silahtar Mustafa Pasa Caravanserai, and Sheikh Ali Kara Tomb and Museum.

Hakkâri. Hakkâri Meydan Medresesi is located in Hakkâri Province.

Iğdır. Mount Ararat is Türkiye’s highest peak. Legend has it that Noah’s Ark rests on the mountain’s peak.

Kars. Film locations include Kars Castle, Sarıkamış-Allahuekber Mountains National Park, and the Armenian church ruins of Ani Harabeleri, and Ani Cathedral.

Muş. Murat Historic Bridge is located in Muş Province.

Tunceli. Munzur Valley National Park is located in Tunceli Province.

Van. Lake Van is Türkiye’s largest lake. The Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross is located on Akdamar Island on Lake Van.

Ardahan. Şeytan Castle is located in Ardahan Province.

Erzurum. The city of Erzurum is known for Çifte Minareli Medrese, Grand Mosque of Erzurum, and Erzurum Castle.

Mt Palandöken Ski Resort is located in Erzurum Province.

Tortum Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in Türkiye.

Şırnak. Mount Judi is located in Şırnak Province.

Southeastern Anatolia

This southeastern region of Türkiye is the most Middle Eastern in terms of landscapes and people. Southeastern Anatolia offers visiting productions a safer alternative to filming in places like Syria or Iraq. The eastern part of the region has a large Kurdish community.

Southeastern Anatolia region includes the provinces of Mardin, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Batman, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Gaziantep, and Siirt.

Mardin. The city of Mardin is known for the Artuqid architecture of its old city. Achitecture of note includes the Mardin Citadel ruins, Great Mosque of Mardin, Erkulu Mosque, Zinciriye Madrasa, Kasımiye Madrasa, Forty Martyrs Church, and Mardin Museum.

Mor Hananyo, and Mor Gabriel are important Syriac Orthodox monasteries.

Midyat’s Old Town is known for its vistas of ancient stone houses, churches, and mosques.

Mesopotamian Ruins Of Dara are located in Mardin Province.

Şanlıurfa. The city of Urfa is known for Şanlıurfa Castle, Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, and Mevlid-i Halil Mosque. Balıklıgöl is a sacred pool where legend has it Nimrod threw the Prophet Abraham into a fire. Göbekli Tepe is a Neolithic archaeological site located just outside of Urfa.

Harran Beehive Houses are also located in Şanlıurfa.

Şanlıurfa hosts several refugee camps.

Adıyaman. Mount Nemrut is known for its giant stone statues.

The ruins of the ancient city of Perrhe are also located in Adıyaman.

Atatürk Dam is the largest dam in Türkiye.

Batman. Hasankeyf is an ancient submerged town.

Diyarbakır. The city of Diyarbakır is known for Diyarbakır Castle, Great Mosque of Diyarbakır, Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum, and Ongözlü Bridge. Diyarbakir Prison is known to be one of the world’s worst prisons.

Kilis. Ravanda Castle is located in Kilis Province.

Gaziantep. The city of Gaziantep is known for Gaziantep Castle, Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Gaziantep Museum of Archaeology, Gaziantep Hamam Museum, and Gaziantep Emine Göğüş Culinary Museum.

Siirt. Ismail Fakirullah Tomb is located in Siirt province.

Türkiye Film Location Permits

Visiting productions are required to have a Film Permit from the Directorate General of Cinema. The application must include a project synopsis, crew and equipment information, passport copies, and the name of the Turkish fixer / service company you will be working with. Allow at least 1 week for processing. Once you have the film permit, your fixer / service producer can go ahead and apply for permission to film at specific locations. Depending on the location, several levels of permitting may be required from the relevant municipalities and government departments. Small handheld, b-roll shoots might be able to get away with filming without permits, although for a smooth shoot, we highly recommend securing all required permits.

Please contact us for location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Türkiye is a large country with wide climate variation. The hot, dry summers run from June to September. The mild, rainy winters run from December to March. Winter conditions can be much harsher in the more arid interior with snow in the mountain region common. Spring (April to May) and fall (October to November) are generally the best months to film for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.

Türkiye is home to a variety of modern and cultural events. Of interest to  filmmakers and photographers are the following:

• Camel Wrestling Festival in Selcuk in January.
• ANZAC Day commemorations in Gallipoli on the 25th April.
• International Music Festival in Ankara in April.
• Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Tournaments in June.
• Kadirga Festival in July.
• Ramadan is observed although unlike much of the Middle East during this time, Türkiye remains open for business.
• Mevlana Festival in December.
• Whirling dervishes perform at the Rumi Festival in Konya in December.

Türkiye is a predominately Muslim country, so those holidays are widely observed.

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

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. Türkiye is one of the least expensive of the European Mediterranean countries. Istanbul’s depth of European and Middle Eastern looks allows those looks without the additional travel costs. The Turkish Lira remains relatively weak against most major currencies helping make Türkiye a cost efficient place to shoot for many projects. On the whole Türkiye offers a fairly high production value. Our Turkish fixer / service producer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.

Tax Incentives. Türkiye offers a rebate of up to 30% based on local spend for feature films, documentaries and TV series.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. Türkiye has a good pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Türkiye has a camera union but as it is not strong, rates are negotiable. Turkish crews are skilled and hardworking. For western producers the process may appear to be somewhat chaotic but as many repeat visitors will tell you, Türkiye can be trusted to deliver the final product. Türkiye’s close proximity to 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 an Istanbul or Ankara 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 Türkiye.

Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.

Turkish is the official language. Kurdish is also spoken mainly in the east of the country.

Türkiye has a variety of Mediterranean talent looks. Turks are the largest ethnic group, and the Kurds are the largest minority group. All other talent is best brought in from abroad. Türkiye’s close proximity to major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of talent should you ever need to look further.

Türkiye Film Equipment

Equipment. Türkiye has all the standard camera, grip and lighting equipment available locally including specialised gear such as underwater housing, car and heli mounts. Some equipment such as the Technocrane needs to be brought in but given Türkiye’s close proximity to major European production centres, importing is easy. For productions looking to bring in their own film equipment Türkiye is an ATA carnet country. Contact us for special rates on film equipment rental.

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. The best art directors in Türkiye are of an international standard but they are also expensive. On the whole, art department in Türkiye is good, of course depending on what your project requires.

Studios. Türkiye has a range of dedicated film studio facilities including sound studios. Contact us for recommendations based on the specific needs of your shoot.

Post Production. Türkiye has some good facilities. Contact us for recommendations based on the specific needs of your shoot.

Visas & Work Permits

Technically speaking, film crews entering Türkiye must first have their film permit, which they would then take to their local Turkish consulate to have their passports stamped so they can enter as film crew. Given that this process is time consuming, some crews just fly in as tourists. Western passport holders choosing that option can enter Türkiye visa-free or with an e-Visa for stays of up to 90 days.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure is all up to known and expected world standards. Road conditions outside of the cities vary and travel by night is not recommended. Türkiye is serviced by several international and regional budget airlines.

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

Final Notes

Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. From the morning call to prayer, through to partying the night away at a rooftop bar, take a few days to explore all that Istanbul has to offer. For local cuisine try balık şiş kebap, döner, köfte, pide, kumpir, meze, ekmek, and baklava.

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 Türkiye, please see below:

Hire Türkiye Production Support & Shooting Crew

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

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