What you need to know for obtaining a successful production when filming in Israel

Is it safe to film in Israel?

Overall Israel is a very safe place to film. The main issues arise when you are interested in entering areas like the Gaza Strip, where the security situation is not stable. We recommend that you keep up with the news in the region, and consult with us if you would like to film in the Palestinian Authority. If you do not have a valid press card you will need permission from the IDF to enter Gaza and some areas of the West Bank.

What is the best time of year to film?

Israel is suitable for filming 365 days of the year. In general, there are two main seasons: winter and summer. The light in each season is slightly different and has different benefits. The weather is mild and comfortable throughout most of the year.

What are film crews in Israel like?

Film crews in Israel are extremely professional and reliable. Of course quality varies with cost, but you can hire excellent crews on an average documentary budget. The professional unions are very strong in Israel. Crews work for 12 hours and afterwards enter into overtime, which will cost you much more. Therefore we always try to avoid overtime when scheduling shoots.

Is it expensive to film in Israel?

The prices in Israel are similar to filming in the United States and a bit less than filming in Europe (all budgets are in USD and crews are paid in USD). Some equipment can be more expensive in Israel, such as HD cameras, because there is simply less equipment available.

Do we need to hire a driver or can we rent a car and drive by ourselves?

We recommend that you hire a driver while you are filming in Israel. Things simply run more smoothly when you have a local driver who knows their way around. You won't have to deal with maps, roads, and parking, which will save you a great deal of time, and as they say - time is money.

Are there any customs issues when bringing in equipment to Israel?

You should not have to pay any fees when bringing equipment into Israel. You might need to bring a carnet from your country depending on the amount of equipment you are bringing. We also recommend that if you are bringing a lot of equipment in with you, that you hire someone who specializes in taking people through customs. We can recommend a professional who deals exactly with that issue and then you do not have to worry about it at all. This service costs around $250 each way.

How much should we budget for per diem?

For the average production, we suggest you budget $50 a day per crew member, for three meals and snacks.

Can we use the same crews in Israel and in the Palestinian Authority?

No, Israeli crews cannot enter the Palestinian Authority. We hire local Palestinian crews when filming in the PA

Can we stay in one city and travel everyday to various locations to film?

Israel is a relatively small country. To drive from the two farthest points on the map takes around 7 hours. The two main urban centers, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, are around an hours drive from one another and are good bases for filming in most of the country. However, if you would like to film in the north (by the Sea of Galilee, Tiberius etc...) we recommend you stay in the north. Conversely, if you would like to film in the south (Eilat, the Negev, the Rimon Crater etc...) we recommend you stay in the south. This will save you a lot of travel time. Feel free to consult with us about scheduling, hotels, and transportation.

How do I arrange permits and interviews for my film?

It is important to know who to speak to and how to get things done in Israel. You can attempt to obtain film permits in Israel and interviews from outside of the country it is usually less effective than hiring someone in Israel to do it for you.