Turkey

Turkey has played host to a number of high profile films and series in the past several years including 2025's The Amateur for 20th Century Studios, Netflix's Night Agent, Kraven the Hunter, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre, and The Gray Man among others.

There's no question that Turkey ticks all the boxes when it comes to servicing international production. With a mesmerising array of locations, cost effective crews, favourable exchange rate and 30% filming incentive, the country has established itself as a go-to location for feature films and high-end streamer productions.

Recent arrivals include Netflix film She Said Yes, which filmed in Turkey and Germany during 2024. An escapist romcom, the culture-clash film tells the story of Mavi, who discovers she is part of a super-wealthy Turkish dynasty. A German-language production, the feature shot around Istanbul and the 'fairy chimneys' of the Cappadocia region.

Turkey also provides the backdrop to My Treat, a road trip comedy from Saudi Arabia-based Alamiya Filmed Entertainment and Dubai-based Front Row Productions. Filmed in Riyadh and Istanbul, the story follows three super-fans of Turkish soaps who travel to Istanbul to meet their favourite actor.

With four distinct seasons, Turkey welcomes filmmakers year-round, offering a range of atmospheres to suit any narrative.  Beyond the iconic architecture of Istanbul, Turkey offers a broad range of location options, ranging from the Eastern Black Sea mountain chain in the north to the Taurus mountains in the south and the high plateau region of Anatolia in the centre.

There are natural wonders like Cappadocia, known for distinctive “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rock formations. The locations are diverse, including beaches, rocky shores, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, mountains, dry lands, modern architecture, unique cities, towns and villages, all within close distance of each other. 

Istanbul has long attracted film productions that shoot against its picturesque backdrops, with easy access to the cities equipment rental houses and crews. 

Filming in Turkey requires permits from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which usually takes approximately two weeks. However, producers should keep in mind that the general filming permit is only the first layer of permits; other regulations/permits will need to follow depending on the city of filming.

Turkey has an extensive and cost-effective transportation network with the Turkish Republic State Railways extending 10,985 kilometres across the country, including a high-speed line that connects Istanbul to Ankara. The network of highways and motorways also exceeds 10,000 kilometres.

Airports across Turkey welcome thousands of international flights each week.

First person to contact

Mustafa Selcuk Yavuzkanat, assistant general manager, General Directorate of Cinema - selcuk.yavuzkanat@ktb.gov.tr

Turkey is an inexpensive place to shoot with competitive prices for equipment rental and crew, and offers a favourable exchange rate. If producers are bringing in equipment, it is best to do so with an ATA Carnet. If the crew is hiring locally, it is worth noting that most of the rental houses are based in Istanbul.

The intention is to transform the laid-back Mediterranean beach resort of Antalya into a major shooting hub. The city’s Expo exhibition space was used for the filming of Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre with approval from the local government.

Turkey has an extensive and cost-effective transportation network with the Turkish Republic State Railways extending 10,985 kilometres across the country, including a high-speed line that connects Istanbul to Ankara. The network of highways and motorways also exceeds 10,000 kilometres. Airports across Turkey welcome thousands of international flights each week.