 Last Update: October 2018 Filming in Turkey can be a little challenging especially if your crew is not speaking Turkish. You'll often have to deal with the language barrier while getting the consent of local authorities and doing some necessary paperwork. This is where we step in and make things easier for you. We are a video production company in Turkey and we help obtain film permits in Turkey for foreign production houses or companies. We also provide full spectrum production services all around Turkey. Please keep in mind that the information below applies ONLY for production companies and individual filmmakers visiting Turkey for feature films, commercials, documentaries, TV shows, music, corporate or event videos and online content. If you or your crew is visiting Turkey for news coverage, you should directly apply for a temporary press accreditation from the directorate of communications. If you are visiting Turkey for a photography production, please contact us. A general filming permit will help your team to be recognized as a film crew during your stay in Turkey. Below is a quick checklist on how to apply for general filming permission for Turkey.  First thing to do before applying for a filming permit is to get in touch with a local fixer or production coordinator to assist and accompany you for your filming in Turkey. Turkish Cinema Department states that it is "obligatory to have at least one host who is a citizen of the Turkish Republic" to apply for the filming permission.
Before your arrival, the local fixer usually deals with specific location permits on your behalf, provides all sorts of production service such as researching, location scouting, sourcing local crew, cast, equipment, transportation or accommodation. Once you have a local production partner, you can go ahead and fill the application form which can be downloaded here. The form should be completed and signed by the producer or the director of the project. Most important part of the film permit application form is to clearly state the content of your shoot. Intentions of your project and a rough working schedule must be included. Keep in mind that Cinema department will ask for passport copies of each team member as well as a crew list containing some basic personal information of your team. You can see an example here. If there are any professional filming equipment that you are bringing into Turkey, you must include a rough equipment list in your application form. However, this does not change the fact that you are still obliged with declaring your equipment at the customs while entering the country. Turkey is a member of ATA Carnet system, a document that allows you to temporarily bring filming equipment to Turkey, tax and duty free. IMPORTANT: THE GENERAL FILMING PERMIT APPLICATION IS FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER, LOCATION FEES MAY APPLY DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF YOUR SHOOT. When all your and your local partners documents are ready, you can e-mail them to filmingpermit@sinema.gov.tr. It is ideal that your fixer would do a follow up the same day to make sure that the Cinema Department received all the documents. With a correct application, our production partners usually receive their general filming permit within a week. However, we always recommend to apply minimum 2 to 3 weeks in advance of filming, since obtaining general filming permit does NOT mean you can start filming right away; There will be second or sometimes third layer of local authorities to give their consent depending on your particular filming locations. Your local fixer or production coordinator will need to deal with these locations on your behalf. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the filming permissions or any other production support in Turkey. We are dedicated to make your filming experience as smooth as possible. *If you already have a filming permit, you might also want to check the information about Turkey filming visa. We hosted Golf Channel in Istanbul and Antalya for their presentation of golf courses in Turkey. The crew filmed inside Turkey's best golfing courses as well as important tourist destinations of Antalya including Manavgat Waterfalls, Apollo's Temple and Aspendos Theatre.     We have hosted Redbull TV in Turkey for their show called 'Part of the game: Series 2'. The documentary will be showcasing Turkey's growing e-sports scene.   We hosted another British production house from London, filming a brand essence film for Mariott Group in Izmir.   We worked together with Barcroft TV to film a short documentary about plastic surgery addicts traveling to Istanbul for rhinoplasty. |
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