Qatar
From stunning natural and sand dunes in the south, there can’t be a better place than Qatar for the film shootings. The oil-rich Gulf state Qatar in recent times has become a leading venue for major sports events.
In terms of recent productions to have taken place in Qatar, the popular movie is Hollywood’s blockbuster Black Gold. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud (The Name of the Rose, Seven Years in Tibet), the film used Tunisia and Qatar as key locations. In the case of Qatar, the main filming occurred in the desert at Mesaieed – which is about 40km outside the capital Doha.
However, filming in Qatar poses several challenges. The first and foremost thing you need to have is tons of patience. Obtaining the permit for the film shooting is no easy task in Qatar, especially if you’re coming in from outside the GCC. There are several horrible tales of crews filming without permits and ending up having their equipment confiscated, or even spending a night in Qatari jail.
If you’re planning to film in a public area, you’ll need a permit from the Qatar News Agency. This takes anywhere between 3 and 6 weeks, depending on the mood of the guy approving the application. Having a local sponsor is essential, and Resolution Films can facilitate this.
Some of the more photogenic areas of Qatar require additional permits – places like the Souq Waqif, Katara, The Pearl, and Qatar Foundation building or Hamad International Airport require extra permits, and sometimes there are big location fees involved.
However, you need not worry and leave the rest to us. We have good contacts across Qatar and we make your work much easier through our professional team. We assist you in everything right from sorting out the language barrier, finding the local talent, and help you get the permits for shooting along with finding suitable locations.
You come across several tough challenges while filming in Qatar. As the rules are quite strict, you may struggle to find an experienced crew, and there’s also a language barrier for non-Arab speakers. That’s why many production teams in Qatar contact Tirumala Productions team before they head for the shoot in the country. We, assure you have all the cast and crew you need to keep your production on schedule.
If you are in plans filming in Qatar and need requires any assistance in scouting the locations, getting permits, or finding a local crew, please get in touch with us at and we are always ready to help you.
Qatar has a wide range of beautiful and mostly unexplored locations. From its traditional souks to the golden sand dunes that reach down to the Arabian Gulf, its carved antique doors, intricately designed mosque minarets, hand-woven rugs, and brass-studded swords are a must for any location recce.
It’s not just the traditional Islamic/Bedouin sights and deserts that are attractive. Qatar’s biggest city Doha is also a futuristic capital city with potential to be used as the backdrop for the film shoots. The city has architecture, off-shore developments, state of the art sports facilities and world-class educational establishments. Most famous shooting sites include the Aspire Dome and the Qatar Science and Technology Park.
Frequently Asked Questions ?
Do I need a visa or work permit?
You need a work permit visa for filming in Qatar. The work permits are issued along with the filming permits for all foreign crew coming to Qatar.
Can I hire equipment once there?
The equipment is available upon arrival in Qatar. If you require specific specialist equipment, which isn’t available in Qatar, you can import from abroad, which usually takes around a week.
How easy is it to get permits?
It’s very tough to avail a filming permit and especially if you are from an offshore country. You require a professional production house for all your needs there. But, don’t worry, a local production house, like Tirumala Productions QATAR, is always there for you.
In simple terms, you are supposed to provide below information and documents, in order for us to start on the application process:
1) Script (including script title and author)
2) All media of distribution
3) Film locations (public and private) including their addresses
4) Daily itinerary
5) Passport copies of all the crew traveling to the UAE and their roles
6) For private locations: Letters from the owners allowing you to film
7) Letter of No Objection, authorizing us to apply for the permits on your behalf
Tirumala Productions would always be happy to provide all required guidance and support on how to put together all the above.
Please bear in the mind that as QATAR is an ultra-conservative country, nudity is not allowed at all. If you require any more information regarding filming locations, please do feel free to contact us.
What is the climate like?
As most part of Qatar is a desert, the temperatures are relatively hot during the daytime. However, in the night, the temperature can drop drastically, so be sure to wrap up warm.