A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in Moldova
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in Moldova: What You Need to Know
Getting the go-ahead to film in Moldava is generally straightforward. For most areas, you’ll get a permit within 48 hours. It’s only if your production is going to obstruct traffic with street closures or detours, particularly in the capital city of Chisinau, that you’ll need to apply for a special permit. This can take up to a month to come through, but as it’ll be your Moldovan film fixer who’ll apply on your behalf, they’ll keep on top of things and ensure you know immediately when the permit is issued.
Timing Your Moldova Film Production around the Weather
Like most Continental countries, Moldova has four well-defined seasons. You can expect summers to have long hot days, with the possibility of heat waves at the summer peak in July. Winters, on the other hand, can get very cold, with seasonal snow and temperatures often falling just below 0 °C. So, if you’re filming at either time, dress accordingly and make sure your filming gear is well-protected from scorching heat or the freezing cold. Spring and autumn offer the best conditions for outdoor filming, though you can expect it to be chilly at the beginning of spring and the end of autumn.
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
Moldova regularly ranks as the cheapest country in Europe. This means that renting your camera, lights and sound gear won’t take a big bite out of your production budget as it would in some other European film destinations. The country’s film equipment rental firms generally don’t have all the latest production tech. But if you send your kit list ahead of time to your Modovan film fixer, they can check what gear is available to hire, and what equipment might need to be imported in from the border country of Romania.
Most of the skilled video professionals here speak Romanian and Russian, which may be helpful to your production. English-speaking crew members are fewer in number, but we can help you source them if you need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
Yes.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
Generally yes. If you’re going to film in the Separatist Region of Transnistria, it’s advisable to be a little more cautious. Also, the roads are not great in Moldova, so we recommend hiring a local driver.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
This usually depends on yoru country of origin. For most countries, we recommend getting a Schengen visa that allows you to visit the country for busines sor pleasure for up to three months.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
Only if you have to get a work visa.
Do I need a permit for drones?
Yes you do. Permits must be obtained and adhere to airspace regulations.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
No.
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
Yes, if you have agreements in writing from the main authorities.
Working with Fixer Moldova
We’re one of the most respected professional production support companies in Moldova and, because of that, have worked with top tier clients across the years. Some of the projects we’re most proud of include managing kits, crew hiring and field production for the European Commission; working on production, creative execution and local crew hire for UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report, handling production duties on an episode of Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father, for British TV station, Channel 5, and taking care of creative execution, kit and crew management and on-the-ground production elements for Underground Worlds (Yesterday Channel, UK).
