Romania

International productions choosing Romania as a shooting destination include Isaiah Saxon’s fantasy adventure The Legend Of Ochi, released by A24, which had its premiere at 2025’s Sundance Film Festival and shot in Transylvania, the Apuseni mountains and Balea Lake as well as interiors at Castel Film Studios. Elsewhere Fathom Entertainment’s religious refugee drama Between Borders by Mark Freiburger, found locations around Bucharest and at the Black Sea port of Constanta to stand in for the crumbling Soviet Union of the late 1980s.

Not surprisingly, Transylvania also provided locations for Radu Jude’s comedy Dracula, which Saga Film produced last autumn as an international co-production with Austria’s Nabis Filmgroup at the Unesco world heritage-­listed Sighisoara Citadel and Bethlen Castle as well as the Comana natural park on the southern Romanian Plain and Griro Tower office block in Bucharest.

“Romania offers high production value at relatively low costs compared to western Europe or North America,” adds Semenscu. “Crew rates, equipment rental and location fees are generally more affordable — without compromising on quality. You get more bang for your buck.”

Although many international producers are still waiting for their payments to be processed for the cash rebates that had been granted before the scheme was suspended in 2021, Valentin Savu, manager and director general of the Film and Cultural Investment Office, reports that interest in Romania as a filming destination has been “growing steadily” since the cash rebate programme was relaunched in July 2024.

“In the first quarter of 2025 alone, we’ve seen 15 new project applications, and expect this number to increase as more international productions recognise the opportunities available here,” says Savu. “Since the launch of the current session of the rebate scheme, we’ve received 10 international projects and 16 productions involving Romania alongside another country, demonstrating the country’s increasing appeal to global filmmakers.”

"From the Carpathian mountains and forests to medieval towns, modern cities and even Communist-era architecture, Romania offers a huge range of looks within a short driving distance. Think Bucharest’s gritty urban vibe, Transylvania’s gothic castles, Black Sea beaches or the Danube Delta’s natural beauty — all easily accessible,” says Vlad Semenescu, head of production at Bucharest-­based Saga Film.

These locations can also double for other countries The mountains resemble the Swiss Alps, the Eastern side of Romania can simulate Wild West landscapes, the forests are similar to the ones from Germany, and the Transfăgărășan road resembles St Gotthard Pass in Switzerland, Stelvio Pass in Italy or the Trollstigen in Norway.

Producers can expect to have permits arranged within about 48 hours for most locations, while shutting streets in Bucharest can take a few days longer.

Buftea Studios covers an area of almost 100 acres with 21,500 square metres of studio space, 19 soundstages and four indoor water tanks, and is located 35 minutes from Bucharest city centre in the town of Buftea. Standing sets on the extensive backlot include a Los Angeles street, Boston set, a western village and six fully equipped contemporary houses. Castel Film Studio has 10 soundstages ranging in size from 600 to 3,354 square metres, and standing sets include a Gothic church, US suburbia and a western town, as well as access to an adjacent forest and an 11-mile natural lake near the studio.

There are direct international flights to Bucharest as well as many other cities around the country such as Cluj, Sibiu and Iasi. Romania’s motorway network is one of the smallest in the EU, accounting for only 5.3% of the country’s total road length. In rural areas, the road quality tends to deteriorate, and drivers should always keep an eye out for random livestock, deer and animal herders suddenly crossing the road.

Its central location in Europe means productions are mere hours away from major cities like Berlin, Paris, and London, making it a convenient and efficient choice for international productions.

Romania is a member of the European Union and participates in the Schengen Agreement. Its currency is the leu.

First contact: Valentin Savu, manager/director general, Film and Cultural Investment Office valentin.savu@ofic.ro