About us Location Guide Romania is the first stop point for anyone looking to shoot films, TV series or commercials in Romania, offering support to international production companies that are looking for suitable locations and service partners. Connecting a network of professionals that cover all the aspects of production, Location Guide Romania provides tailor-made solutions for any project from script to screen, making sure that it gets the best of what the country has to offer. Location Guide Romania: Offers access to a database of shooting locations Provides customized location scouting Offers access to a database of production facilities and service providers (studios, equipment rental companies, sound studios, post-production houses, set designers and builders, costume designers and manufacturers, catering services and more) Connects international production companies with local producers, production teams and service providers Facilitates and assists in scouting for local talents and experienced crews. Provides fixers and advisors for shooting permits, accomodation, insurances and orientation. Location Guide Romania is an independent project of the New Romanian Cinema Association. Should you need more information or have any queries, please do not hestitate to contact us. We are more than happy to help! Office info@locationguideromania.com +40.21.327.63.04 www.locationguideromania.com 214 Traian Street 024046 Bucharest, Romania Cristina Badea - project manager cristina.badea@locationguideromania.com +40.748.156.667 Ana Poiana - marketing manager ana.poiana@newromaniancinema.com +40.729.729.423
Why filming in Romania? WIDE VARIETY OF LOCATIONS, BOTH URBAN AND NATURAL, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR Its geographical variety makes Romania the perfect location for shooting any type of film: the mountains, the woods, the lakes, the friendly seaside and the fabulous Danube Delta are only the peak of what it can offer. The ancient and modern landmarks can help enrich any shoot: Transfagarasan - world's best road trip according to Top Gear, Transalpina - one of the oldest and highest roads in the Carpathian mountains, rifting through the clouds, Houses of Parliament - one of the biggest buildings on Earth, cult locations, traditional ancient housing, medieval fortresses, castles, beautiful streets, squares and buildings composing an eclectic architectural style. One can also find here many industrial sites to explore. BIG POOL OF TALENTS You can find fluent English, French or Italian speaking talents, from extras and top models to experienced actors and production teams. Your team can benefit from working with awarded producers, directors, ADs, DOPs and scriptwriters. HIGH LEVEL SET CONSTRUCTION AT THE BEST PRICE IN THE REGION Talented production designers and set decorators, experimented and fast building teams already used to working for foreign productions can meet your most extravagant needs as far as set construction goes. Diverse sets have been built here over the years, for period dramas, horror, sci-fi or contemporary films. SOUND STAGES AND STUDIO AVAILABILITY There are two large studios and several smaller ones in and around Bucharest. You can find standing sets, sound stages, back-lot, water tanks and green screen studios. EQUIPMENT AND CREW With an active cinema industry, Romania has plenty of excellent crews with international experience. Furthermore, a wide selection of professional film equipment is available at competitive rates. PROPS COLLECTIONS Covering different historical periods, well-organized warehouses of props are managed by expert staff. EXCELLENCE IN COSTUME DESIGN Local costume designers and tailors have worked for many projects in the film industry and can make any type of costume, from military to civilian, ancient to modern, whether it is a Superhero cape or a nineteenth century gown. Moreover, there are extensive collections accommodating hundreds of thousands of diverse clothing, footwear and accessories from all eras. ACCOMMODATION, FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT Whether you film in Bucharest, using its nearby soundstages, or you film in the wild natural locations, you can always find comfortable (or luxury, if you want) accommodation, offering great traditional and international cuisine as well as leisure and entertainment options. PROVEN AND TESTED OVER AND OVER AGAIN More than 100 foreign films and TV productions have been shot in Romania in the last 10 years, from Oscar and international film festival nominees and winners, box office success stories, renowned TV series and TV movies, covering a wide variety of genres and several historical periods. BEST RATES, GOOD VALUE Filming in Romania can bring any North American or Western European budget 30% to 50% down, without lowering the quality of the end product.
CASTLES & MONASTERIES
Corvin Castle Dracula's Castle in Bran Medieval fortification Medieval inner yard
Old Transylvanian church Grand Mosque of Constanta Humor Monastery The Synagogue of Brasov Old Catholic church
Barsana Monastery Inside Rasnov fortification Inside Hunedoara Castle Medieval fortress in Rasnov
Bucharest University House The Royal palace in Bucharest Hidden staircase in Bran Castle Window seat in Bran Castle
Bragadiru Palace interior staircase Bragadiru palace ballroom Mina Minovici interior staircase Interior view of Peles Castle
STREETS & SQUARES
Bucharest old town Triumph Arch in Bucharest Old street Bucharest interwar bank palace
Bucharest main square Sibiu central square Bucharest old town square Bucharest square
Street in Sibiu Sighisoara medieval street Old town narrow street Main square in Timisoara fortress
WILD LIFE
Danube Delta channel view Danube Delta pelicans Danube Delta cane Wild water lilies in Danube Delta Fishermen at sunset
Mountain statue Natural gorges Natural gorges Autumn forest Calugareni swamp
Mountain peaks Children in traditional costumes Rural landscape Racos natural reservation
Peaks over the clouds Transylvania Mountain village Mountain landscape
Bigar waterfall Old craftsman The Red Lake Transfagarasan Zarnesti gorges
Mountain goat The Romanian Sphinx Winter woods Balea Lake Sunrise in the mountains
Old casino Romanian seaside The old Genovese lighthouse Sandy beach at the Black Sea
URBAN LOCATIONS & CITY LIFE
Bucharest old town caffes Bucharest river bank Bucharest aerial view Business offices building
Romanian Atheneum The National Bank office building Old city The Romanian House of Parliament
Liars Bridge in Sibiu Modern architecture Crowded street in Bucharest Brasov old city center Street corner in Bucharest
INDUSTRIAL
Old train, out of use Industrial landscape Industrial marina Amazing salt mine Old traditional train, still functioning
TRADITIONAL HOUSES
Medieval houses in Brasov Traditional Romanian house Traditional house in the Danube Delta Interior of traditional old house Transylvania houses
More then 10 years ago, the Romanian films took over the international scene, travelling to many prestigious festivals, winning important awards and reaching international audiences. The Death of Mr. Lazarescu directed by Cristian Puiu (2005, produced by Mandragora) won Un Certain Regard in Cannes, among other international distinctions. California Dreamin directed by Cristian Nemescu (2007, produced by MediaPro Pictures) also won Un Certain Regard in Cannes and was nominated and awarded in several other film festivals. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days directed by Cristian Mungiu (2007, produced by Mobra Films) premiered in Cannes where it won the Palme d Or and was further on nominated and awarded in many prestigious festivals. Police, adjective directed by Corneliu Porumboiu (2009, produced by 42km Film) made won FIPRESCI and the Jury Award in Cannes. Morgen directed by Marian Crisan (2010, produced by Mandragora) won awards in festivals such as Locarno International Film Festival and Thessaloniki Film Festival. If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle directed by Florin Serban (2010, produced by Strada Film) won the Silver Bear in Berlin and traveled to many other international film festivals. Best Intentions directed by Adrian Sitaru (2011, produced by 4 Proof Film and Hi Film) also won several awards in festivals, among which Locarno International Film Festival. Beyond the Hills directed by Cristian Mungiu (2012, produced by Mandragora) was a massive European co-production and a big international success, also winning awards in Cannes. Child s Pose directed by Calin Peter Netzer (2013, produced by Parada Film) was awarded with the Golden Bear and the FIPRESCI prize in Berlin and was also present in several other festivals. Closer to the Moon directed by Nae Caranfil (2013, produced by Mandragora Movies) was an important international co-production and enjoyed both festival and commercial success. The Unsaved directed by Igor Cobileanski (2013, produced by Saga Film) was nominated in several film festivals, among which Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Aferim! directed by Radu Jude (2015, produced by Hi Film) won the Silver Bear in Berlin and further on had both festival and commercial success. Why me? directed by Tudor Giurgiu (2015, produced by Libra Film) premiered in the Panorama section in Berlin and is further on continuing its festival circuit. The Treasure directed by Corneliu Porumboiu (2015, produced by 42 Km Film) and One Floor Below directed by Radu Muntean (2015, produced by Multimedia Est) were both nominated for Un Certain Regard award and will premier in Cannes this year. These are just some of the Romanian titles that traveled in the past years. With an increasing trend in international co-production, many established directors and producers and an upcoming generation of young directors, we expect to see more Romanian films on the international market in the next years.
Romania has been, for more then two decades, one of the favorite destinations for many international productions, from international awarded films, box office successes, TV series and commercials. Sons of Liberty - 2015, a History Channel mini-series produced by Stephen David Entertainment and Stillking Films, was shot in Romania and used impressive set constructions. They re Watching - 2015, directed by Micah Wright and Jay Lender, a thriller co-produced with the Romanian company Alien Film, was shot on location in Sibiu county and Snagov. The Dying of the Light - 2014, directed by Paul Schrade, starring Nicolas Cage, filmed in Bucharest. Filmed with Castel Film. The Zero Theorem - 2013, directed by Terry Gilliam, and starring Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton and Matt Damon; shot for 36 days in Bucharest with the help of MediaPro Studios. Most of the post-production was also set in Romania. The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman - 2013, a psychological romantic thriller directed by Fredrik Bond, and starring Shia LaBeouf, Evan Rachel Wood, Mads Mikkelsen, among others. Filmed almost entirely in Bucharest. Devil Inside - 2012, a supernatural horror film directed by William Brent Bell. One in the Chamber - 2012, the action film directed by William Kaufman, and starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Dolph Lundgren. Most of the filming was done in Romania with MediaPro Studios. Hatfield & McCoys - 2012, a TV mini-series produced by History Channel, directed by Kevin Reynolds and starring Kevin Costner. The three episodes were shot partially in Transylvania, near Brasov in collaboration with Castel Film. Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance - 2011, a supernatural superhero movie, directed by Mark Neveldine, starring Nicolas Cage. It was partially shot in Romania, including at Hunedoara castle. The Whistleblower - 2010, the thriller directed by Larysa Kondracki and starring Rachel Weisz, Monica Bellucci, Vanessa Redgrave, David Strathairn, Benedict Cumberbatch. Ces Amours La/What Love May Bring - 2010, directed by Claude Lelouch, starring Audrey Dana, Anouk Aimée. Partially shot in Romania, in a set build from scratch at MediaPro Studios. Bunraku - 2010, a martial arts action film directed by Guy Moshe, starring Josh Hartnett, Woody Harrelson, Demi Moore. Ashes and blood 2009, directed by Fanny Ardent and co-produced in Romania with Libra Film. Nominated to Golden Camera award at Cannes Film Festival. The Brothers Bloom - 2008, a caper comedy directed by Rian Johnson and starring Mark Ruffalo, Adrien Brody, Rachel Weisz. It was filmed at the Peles Castle in Sinaia, as well as in Bucharest and Constanta. Youth without Youth - 2007, fantasy drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on novels by Romanian writer Mircea Eliade, starring Alexandra Maria Lara and Tim Roth, among others; partially filmed in Romania, in Sinaia, Brasov, Constanta, Piatra Neamt and Bucharest. Joyeux Noel - 2005, a French war drama directed by Christian Carion and starring Diane Kruger. Nominated to Best Foreign Language Film of the Year Oscar category, it was locally produced by MediaPro Studios. Modigliani - 2004, semi-biographical film, directed by Mick Davis and starring Andy Garcia. Cold Mountain - 2003, epic war drama film directed by Anthony Minghella. Starring Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Renée Zellweger, Natalie Portman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, the film had 7 Oscar nominations and 1 win for Best Supporting Actress. Almost fully shot in Romania, in Covasna county and in capital Bucharest, with Castel Film. Amen - 2002, movie directed by Costa Gavras; filmed in various places in Bucharest and Sibiu.
Fact sheet Romania is a member of the European Union and the United Nations and has a population of almost 20 mil people, friendly and welcoming. The total area is almost 240.000 sq. kilometers / 92 sq. miles, with lots of beautiful landscapes perfect for your productions. The capital is Bucharest with a population of almost 2 million people. The currency of Romania is Romanian LEU (plural LEI), preferable to have plural with you. 1 Euro - 4.5 lei, 1 USD - 3.9 lei. The time zone is UTC+2, we wake up 7 hours earlier than NY City people. The climate is temperate and continental, with four distinct seasons. There are several ethnic groups in Romania: 89% Romanian, 7% Hungarian, 3% Roma, 1% other minorities, all living in good communion. Most Romanians are Christian Orthodox (87%), but there are other cults as well: 5% Roman Catholic, 5% Reformed, 3% other. Romania is one of the countries that have the best communication infrastructure and speed in the world. There is national coverage for land-line and mobile phones with very good Internet connection speed, 4G technology is available in most places. The big cities are covered with free Wi-Fi in the major points of interest. The mobile operators available in Romania are Orange, Vodafone and Telekom. Emergency phone number is 112, same as in the Europe Union. The country has a complex travel infrastructure, allowing you to travel on earth, air or water: Two commercial airports in Bucharest and 14 others in the rest of the country. Three major ports on the Black Sea and four major ports on the Danube River. Over 16,000 km of national roads, including highways, and over 58,000 km of country roads. Over 11.000 km of railways.
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