Filming in Turkey

Introduction to Turkey

Turkey’s land mass is 814,578 sq.km. The European and Asian sides are divided by the Istanbul Bogazi (Bosphorus), the Sea of Marmara, and the Canakkale Bogazi (Dardanelles). Anatolia is a high plateau region rising progressively towards the east, broken by the valleys of about 15 rivers, including the Dicle (Tigres) and the Firat (Euphrates). There are numerous lakes and some, such as Lake Van, are as large as inland seas. In the north, the Eastern Black Sea Mountain chain runs parallel to the Black Sea; in the south, the Taurus mountains sweep down almost to the narrow, fertile coastal plain along the coast. Turkey enjoys a variety of climates, changing from the temperate climate of the Back Sea region, to the continental climate of the interior, then, to the Mediterranean climate of the Aegean and Mediterranean costal regions. The coastline of Turkey’s four seas is more then 8,333 km long.

The Turkish Republic is based on a secular democratic, pluralist and parliamentary system. The National Assembly is elected by popular vote and the nation is governed by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. Turkey is a founding member of OECD, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, a member of NATO, the European Council and the European Parliament, and waiting to be a full member of the European Union.

HOW TO APPLY TO SHOOT A
FILM IN TURKEY

FILMING PERMIT
WHO HAS TO APPLY?
Foreign film producers, directors and companies who want to shoot a film in Turkey have to apply to the Directorate General of Cinema to obtain filming permit.
HOW TO APPLY?
One member of the foreign crew (the director or the producer) have to fill out and sign the application form in English or in Turkish.
It has to be stated in the application form that a DVD copy of the film/programme will be sent to the Directorate of Cinema after its release.
Filming Permit Application Form
The list with the names, surnames, work and home addresses and telephone numbers and the passport photocopies of all the crew members has to be enclosed to the form. Please give a number to each person in the list and write the same number on his/her passport photocopy.
According to the regulations, during the film shooting it is obligatory to have at least one host who is a citizen of the Turkish Republic.
Your host has to send us application form for host.
Your host’s copy of identity card and reference letter or student certificate has to be enclosed to the form.
Your host has to call us to confirm that we have received the documents.
Application Form For Host and Host’ s Assessment Report
The documents have to be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or directly to [email protected] or [email protected] or via post to the following address:
Sinema Genel Müdürlüğü, Anafartalar Cad. No:67 06250 Ulus, Ankara.
If you choose to send us via post, you are requested to send a petition (with original signature) asking for permission.
Then, the permission document will be sent to you or your host via e – mail.
You can apply to the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in your country to receive information about the visa
Before shooting the film in Turkey, you have to apply to the Governership or the Directorate of Culture and Tourism of the cities where you will shoot the film.

Shooting Locations

Finding the right shooting location may be a major challenge in media industry, it has to be ideal, perfect and imaginary to suit a typical work ... So if you can imagine it; we can find it.
With unequalled experience in organising shoots and location in Turkey, M7 sservices are featured in all types of productions, with a comprehensive and variant requirements can be supplied based on the type of project and its needs, including but not limited to: permissions (governmental agencies’ permits, decisions and laws), locations searching, location management, transportation (including production van if needed), accommodation, catering, and many others.

Settings & Plateaus

Transportation in Turkey

Turkey possesses a wide railway network in intercity transportation. High speed trains to certain cities enable arrivals in a very short time.
With a wide developed road network, motorways and the latest technology busses, provides motorway transport opportunities at the highest level.
Sea transport is provided by intercity ferryboats, city boat lines and sea buses.
Foreign film producers, directors and companies who want to shoot a film in Turkey have to apply to the Directorate General of Cinema to obtain filming permit.

Copyrights in Turkey

The Law No 5846 on Intellectual and Artis tit Works (Turkish Copyright Law) is the basic law that covers the legal arrangements regarding the copyright In Turkey.
The Law primarily contains provisions on the economic and moral rights of work owners and holders of related rights (performing artists, phonogram producers, movie producers and radio and television entities), on their respective products as well as on the procedures and principles for the exercise of such rights Including legal remedies and sanctions in connection therewith.
The Directorate General for Copyright (OGC) affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is assigned to fulfil the tasks and duties in the field of copyright in Turkey.
Turkey is a party to the following international agreements in the area of copyright:
- Bern Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
- Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations
- Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty
- Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to publications by visually impaired persons and persons with print disabilities {Internal approval process is ongoing for its entry into force)