A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in Italy
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in Italy: What You Need to Know
With its Roman Empire and Renaissance past, Italy has, as you can imagine, strict guidelines for filming and, in some cases, very expensive permit price tags attached! For example, though you can apply to film in or outside the Colosseum in Rome, it will set you back €30,000. Shooting in other major landmarks here and in cities such as Florence and Venice will also incur costly pay-outs.
You will also need special permits to shoot in the city streets and in other museums and churches. These are typically not as expensive, coming in at around €300 per day.
If you plan to shoot mainly outdoors, you will need to give your fixer ample time to apply for the authorisation. Typically, it takes seven days for street permits, but around 45 days for churches, museums and other important buildings.
Timing Your Italian Film Production around the Weather
Italy isn’t one of the most popular holiday destinations for nothing. Besides its incredible historic past, it boasts blazing heat and sunshine in the summer, as well as stunning snowy scenes courtesy of key mountain ranges such as the Apennines, the Dolomites and, of course, Europe’s largest mountain range, the Alps. Filming within any of these mountain ranges or in other northern areas during the winter will make for some unique, moody and beautiful snow-filled shots.
Summertime temperatures can get as high as 25-35°C (77-95°F), particularly in the south and on islands like Sardinia, so make sure your crew and film gear are well-protected against extreme heat, particularly if you’ll be shooting outdoors for long periods.
Autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) are equally spectacular throughout Italy with gorgeous natural colours, though rain in both seasons is always a threat.
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
You will have no problem bringing your equipment to Italy as it’s an ATA Carnet country. However, it’s just as easy to find up-to-the-minute audiovisual equipment throughout the country, and, in many places, particularly in the south or in cities and towns off the beaten track, you will likely find cheaper rental options.
If you need professional, English-speaking crews, again there’ll be no difficulty in getting them. And if you partner with us, we’ll ensure you find both a top team and high-range filming gear at competitive prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
Yes.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
Yes, though it is advisable to be careful in Naples, as street crime can occur.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
A work visa is not needed if your project lasts less than 3 months.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
No, but we recommend working with a fixer to ensure the paperwork gets done on time.
Do I need a permit for drones?
Yes, permits are a prerequisite for filming with drones in Italy. You can apply directly to the Italian authorities, and this process generally takes 3 weeks. The easiest and fastest way to ensure you have drone use greenlit is to hire a local drone operator.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
Yes, there is. If you use local Italian resources to make your feature film, TV series, video game or web series, you can apply to the Italian Tax Credit Scheme for up to 40% of your production costs. The monies awarded are subject to availability and are capped at a project spend of €20 million ($21.7 million). A cultural test is part of the application, and all details must be sent in at least 90 days before your production begins.
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
Yes. Your local production partner can organise authorisation from the main authorities and inform you of any limitations and fees.
Working with Italy Fixers
Being part of Storytailors, the much-respected global production support network, has helped us develop rapidly as the go-to film fixer company in Italy. We now provide a full 360° service, including location scouting and management, crew and equipment permit application, translator services, logistics and everything in between. Our clients include top media platforms and brands, such as TV8’s popular travel show Victoria Cabello—Viaggi Pazzeschi, the campaign for the ZX Spectrum home computer, Adidas, Netflix, the BBC and many more.
