A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in Azerbaijan
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in Azerbaijan: What You Need to Know
If you’re planning any kind of video project in Azerbaijan, you’ll need to apply for official filming permits. These can be obtained from the the Ministry of Culture or the appropriate local municipality. Most permits take around seven working days to process, and depending on the nature of your shoot, will vary in cost.
General filming permission must be applied for regardless of your filming plan. You’ll need additional, specific permits for filming in historical or protected areas, and the costs of getting these permits can be high. For instance, filming in the Old Town in the capital city of Baku can cost around $ 2000 US. Filming in any of the museums will take another $650 US out of your budget.
Timing Your Azerbaijan Film Production around the Weather
As a landlocked country that also takes in the western shore of the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is one of those surprising countries that boasts a multitude of climate zones (nine, to be specific!). For filmmakers, this means that whether you want to capture snowy mountain scenes, sunny beach footage, or video takes of a tropical nature, you’ve got it all in Azerbaijan. There are also further variations between the semi-desert lowlands and the snowy tundras of the highlands.
If your video isn’t dependent on a particular type of weather, then it’s best to plan your shoot either between April and June or September and October. During these months, you can expect warm, dry weather, which is perfectly pleasant to film in.
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
Working with a production support company like Fixer Azerbaijan means you don’t have to worry about finding all the filming equipment you need. Our relationships with film rental companies mean we can organise camera, lighting, and sound gear. If you’ll need only minimal equipment for a small news shoot or similar, then you might prefer to bring it with you. However, for larger video projects, it makes more financial and practical sense to rent locally.
We can also source English-speaking crews for you. Though their fees may be higher than those of their non-English speaking counterparts, it’s worth having a team you can ably communicate with, especially for complex or longer shoots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
No, Azerbaijan is not an ATA carnet country, which means you’ll need to work with a local film fixer to help process customs documents.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
Yes, it’s very safe for you and your team to travel and film in Azerbaijan.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
You will not need a work visa to film in Azerbaijan.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
Yes, it’s necessary to partner with a local fixer or producer who’ll help you manage all the particulars of filming in Azerbaijan.
Do I need a permit for drones?
You won’t be able to bring your own drone into the country. Instead, it’s essential that you use local drone operators, as only they can be licensed pilots and apply for the relevant permits.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
From 2026 onwards, a new cash rebate incentive for foreign film productions in the country will be introduced. It offers 20% of the VAT for all local expenses, goods, and services related to the production.
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
It is possible to shoot in a national park here in Azerbaijan if you have the appropriate permit. The cost and availability of the permit will depend on certain criteria, including which national park you wish to film in, the size of the crew, and the length of the shoot.
Working with Fixer Azerbaijan
Over the years, we’ve worked on a vast number of different types of video productions. From small and individual shoots to large, multi-location projects taking in several different regions or countries, as a member of the Storytailors network, we’ve done it all.
Some of the productions that have happened in the region include ad campaigns for Adidas and UNICEF, documentaries for National Geogrpahic and the History Channel, as well as episodes of popular TV shows British and other TV channels, and scenesfor big budget movies.
If you’d like to further discuss our projects and the possibility of working with us, reach out for a discovery call.
