Romania

Romania can be found in the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. Since the 1989 Revolution, Romania has moved towards democracy and a market-based economy. In return, the Romanian film industry has grown to one of the largest in Europe. With its rapidly growing economy, Romania is a member of the UN, NATO, and as of 2007, the European Union.

OVERVIEW

Romania has a rich history, full of beauty, folklore, and conflict. The largest country in Southeastern Europe was once steeped in strife. From the exploits of Vlad the Impaler in the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania plateaus to its history of Communism stemming from World War II. The strong, castle-topped mountains can serve as a symbol of the strong, proud people of Romania. Scenic Romania has one of the largest areas of undisturbed forest in Europe. The aforementioned mountains, sprawling rivers, majestic plains, and access to the Black Sea total a diverse and photogenic landscape.

The capital of Bucharest is home to many state-of-the-art production and post production studios. As one of the larger production hubs in the area, Romania can provide services of a wide range. Western productions like the “Subspecies” series, “Transporter 3,” and recently from “The Conjuring” series, “The Nun” have all made spectacular use of the facilities and workforce Romania can provide.

FILM LOCATIONS

Romanian architecture is as diverse as one can imagine, including medieval, modern era, interwar, Communist, as well as contemporary architecture. You can also find differences and variants depending on the region of Romania in which you find yourself. The spired castles and gothic churches of the mythic Transylvania region are second to none.

Romania offers a variety of film friendly locations; natural, industrial, institutional, and even historical sites are all possible to work from while maintaining the necessary comforts of a film set.

There are also several large sound stages that can be utilized to keep your production from bouncing around the globe. You can find backlots featuring the streets of New York, London, the Middle East, as well as a variety ancient civilizations. On a given shoot schedule, you can have a vast range of worldwide locations without ever boarding a plane.

FILM PERMITS & PERMISSIONS:

As with many countries in Eastern Europe, with the appropriate budget and contacts, it is possible to arrange filming permits virtually anywhere in Romania. With enough lead time, permits are easy to arrange through our local partners.

FILM TALENT, CREWS & EQUIPMENT:

Our local film partners in Romania have access to a large pool of experienced crew members (directors of photography, grips, gaffers, hair/make-up, set design, wardrobe) who are fluent in English. Romania is home to a wide selection of multilingual, non-union talent on which a production can expect significant savings.

Romania also offers top-of-the-line equipment ranging from the latest ARRI, RED Phantom, Sony and Black Magic cameras, professional lenses from Zeiss to Cooke, as well as state of the art grip, electric and rigging gear. Rental houses also have modern trailers for talent, make up and wardrobe trucks, catering vans as well as power generator and lighting vehicles.

Romania is also home to several large film studios as well as post-production houses which offer all high-quality post services (editing, sound mix/design, VFX) at highly competitive rates.

FILM COST, TAX INCENTIVES & CO-PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES:

For film productions in Romania, large passenger vans, StarWagons, cargo vans and box trucks are also available at affordable rates.

Romania offers various modes of transportation from private cars for hire, rental, taxis and public buses and trains. Air travel between major cities is also an affordable option. Depending on the location of your shoot, the road conditions vary from modern highways to less-traveled roads which require additional travel time to navigate.

Lodging is inexpensive, with four star hotels ranging between $83-100/night and lower prices available depending on location and ranking. Most hotels will offer discounts to groups or crews booking an extended stay. Rooms outside of major cities like Bucharest tend to be even less expensive. For extended stays, AIRBNB rentals are a cost-effective choice, with inexpensive, high-quality options and friendly hosts.

Individual meals at an expensive restaurant in Bucharest cost around $17. A three course meal at a mid-range restaurant costs around $14. Catering for films can be arranged 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

ACCOMMODATION & TRANSPORTATION FOR FILMMAKERS

Kyrenia is regarded as the tourist capital of Northern Cyprus. The area is home to numerous 3 and 4 star hotels, resorts and shopping plazas. Hotels range in price from $30 to $100-and up per night. Group rates can be negotiated for visiting film crews.

Road conditions in Northern Cyprus are good and easy to navigate for anyone wishing to rent and operate a vehicle on their own, and drivers can be hired at affordable rates. A range of vehicles are available which can accommodate a production of any size. Though there are public buses in Northern Cyprus, they run irregularly and we advise against using public transportation. Vehicles rented in the South can also now be driven between North and South.

VISAS & TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR FILMMAKERS:

As a member of the European Union, Romania follows the EU’s rules for travel and entry, with countries from the EU having freedom of movement. Passport holders from 62 Non EU countries, including the US, Canada, and Japan can stay for up to 90 days within a 180 day period on a tourist visa. In most cases, a tourist visa is all that is required for foreign filmmakers working in Romania. Many other countries, including China and Russia, can apply for a Schengen via ahead of their trip. Click here for more information on the EU visa policy.

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/

Romania is currently listed as a “Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions” on the US State Department’s 1 to 4 travel advisory ranking (4 being “Do Not Travel). Romania, and its capital Bucharest, is very safe for foreign filmmakers and standard vigilance is enough to deter any problems with petty crime.