Locations

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Romania’s landscapes and architecture offer a multitude of shooting locations, each with its unique charm:

1. Carpathian Mountains: These majestic mountains are versatile for filming, from dense, ancient forests ideal for mystical scenes to high peaks perfect for epic landscapes. They offer natural, unspoiled backdrops for adventure and fantasy stories.
2. Transylvanian Villages: Transylvania is more than just the land of Dracula; it’s a region of rich history and culture. Places like Sighișoara, with its well-preserved walled town and cobblestone streets, provide authentic medieval settings. Biertan, with its fortified church, is another picturesque location.
3. Black Sea Coastline: The coastline offers a contrast from the rest of Romania’s landscapes with its sandy beaches and modern resorts, ideal for contemporary storylines and leisure scenes.
4. Danube Delta: A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a haven for unique wildlife and has a labyrinth of waterways and lakes, perfect for nature documentaries or tranquil, introspective scenes.
5. Bucharest: This bustling capital city offers a juxtaposition of Communist-era architecture and modern skyscrapers, along with historical landmarks like the Palace of the Parliament, providing a versatile urban backdrop.
6. Historical Castles and Fortresses: Bran Castle, often associated with the Dracula legend, offers a gothic setting, while Peleș Castle showcases opulent, neo-Renaissance architecture. Corvin Castle in Hunedoara, with its fairy-tale-like appearance, is ideal for historical and fantasy narratives.
7. Painted Monasteries of Bucovina: These monasteries are unique for their exterior frescoes depicting biblical scenes, offering a rare and visually striking location for historical and religious-themed films.
8. Cluj-Napoca: A city in Transylvania known for its vibrant cultural life and Baroque architecture, it can represent both historical and modern urban European settings.

Each of these locations in Romania provides filmmakers with an array of choices, ensuring that whatever the narrative requirement, there is a setting that can bring the story to life with authenticity and visual splendor.

Sound Stages in Romania

There is a variety of sound stages in Romania, mostly located in Bucharest and vicinity, encompassing sizes from 400 sqm, up to 3500 sqm Stage 5 in Castel Film Studios, Stage 12A+B (3500) in Buftea Studiosand 4200 sqm – the King’s Hangar in Frame Fillm Studios, the largest sound stage in Eastern Europe. Several watertanks are also available, including an 800 sqm /5.5m deep in Stage 9 in Buftea Studios

Film Shooting Equipment Availability in Romania

Romania’s film industry is well-equipped to support a wide range of productions, from independent films to large-scale international projects. The country offers a comprehensive selection of equipment:

1. Cameras: Romania’s rental services provide a variety of camera options, including the latest digital and film cameras suitable for any production need.
2. Lighting and Grip Equipment: There is a wide array of lighting and grip equipment available to suit different shooting styles and requirements, from basic setups to advanced rigging systems.
3. Sound Equipment: High-quality sound recording equipment, including microphones and sound mixing boards, are readily available for on-location shoots.
4. Post-Production Facilities: Romania has several state-of-the-art post-production facilities equipped with the latest technology for editing, color grading, and visual effects.
5. Specialized Equipment: For more specialized needs, such as drones for aerial shots or underwater filming equipment, there are rental services that can provide these.

This extensive availability of high-quality equipment, along with skilled technicians and support staff, ensures that film productions in Romania can achieve their creative vision effectively and efficiently.

Weather Conditions in Romania

Romania’s climate is characterized by a diversity that can greatly benefit film production. The country experiences four distinct seasons, each offering its own unique backdrop and atmosphere for filming.

1. Spring (March to May): This season sees the blooming of landscapes, providing a colorful and vibrant setting. The weather is generally mild, making it ideal for outdoor shoots.
2. Summer (June to August): Romanian summers are warm and long, offering extended daylight hours for shooting. The countryside and urban areas alike bask in bright sunshine, perfect for vibrant scenes.
3. Autumn (September to November): Autumn in Romania is visually stunning, with rich, golden hues in the forests and vineyards. The cooler, yet comfortable temperatures and the soft, diffused light make it a favorite for capturing the natural beauty.
4. Winter (December to February): Winters can be cold, with snowfall common in the mountains. This season provides picturesque snowy landscapes, ideal for winter scenes and Christmas-themed films.

The varied Romanian weather allows for a wide range of filming possibilities, from sunny, summer scenes to winter wonderlands, making it a versatile location choice for productions aiming for specific seasonal settings.

Travel and Visas in Romania

Traveling to and within Romania is convenient for film crews due to the country’s well-developed transportation infrastructure. The major airports, especially in Bucharest, offer direct flights to numerous international destinations, facilitating easy access for international teams. Additionally, Romania’s road and rail networks are extensive, providing efficient travel options across the country.

Regarding visas, Romania is part of the European Union but not a member of the Schengen Area. Therefore, film crews from non-EU countries may require visas. The visa process is straightforward, and assistance can be provided by local production companies or the Romanian Film Commission. It’s advisable to check the latest visa requirements and seek professional advice for specific circumstances. This proactive approach ensures a smooth entry and stay in Romania for international film productions.

Film Tax Incentives in Romania

Romania’s film tax incentive is designed to be competitive and appealing to international productions. Here’s a detailed breakdown. The program was

1. Rebate Percentage: The program offers a cash rebate of up to 35% on qualifying expenditures, with an additional 10% for productions that promote Romanian culture, totaling up to 45%.
2. Qualifying Expenditures: These include costs related to labor (including foreign personnel), set construction, wardrobe, accessories, sound and lighting, post-production, and rental of equipment and locations. The program is comprehensive, covering a wide array of production-related expenses.
3. Cultural Test: Productions must pass a cultural test, which evaluates elements like the story’s relevance to European and Romanian culture, use of local talent and resources, and the project’s contribution to the promotion of Romania.
4. Minimum Spend Requirements: There’s a minimum spending requirement to qualify for the incentive. This threshold varies based on the type of production, such as feature films, TV series, or documentaries.
5. Application Process: Productions must apply for the rebate before starting their shoot. The application process involves submitting a detailed project proposal, budget, and script, among other documentation.
6. Payment of Rebate: The rebate is paid after the production completes and submits a comprehensive audit of the expenses incurred in Romania.

This incentive program makes Romania not only a culturally and visually appealing location but also a financially strategic choice for filmmakers. It supports a range of production scales, from independent films to major studio projects.

Company

About Frame Film

FRAME FILM is a production company and studio facility founded by producers Andrei Boncea and director Dragos Buliga joined by  producers Gabriel Popescu, our British partner, producer Christopher Milburn and our French partner, media executive Jean Christophe Lestra.  FRAME FILM  joined slovak film producer and local entrepreneur Rasto Kuril to create FRAME FILM SK.

FRAME FILM and the founders Andrei Boncea and Dragoș Buliga created and produced the most succesful romanian tv series of all time, LAS FIERBINTI, still going on strong after 22 seasons. The team credits includes romanian adaptations of british comedy series THE WORST WEEK OF MY LIFE and spanish comedy series LOS HOMBRE DE PACO. Recently, three new comedy series , ATLETICO TEXTILA, OUR FOLKS, TRIPLU SEC were produced by the team. Dragos Buliga directed also the pilot for the new series created by Nae Caranfil, SATURDAY NIGHT YEARS.  He made his big debut in international cinema with the fantasy thriller The WANDERERS, starring Armand Assante, Lior Ashkenazi and Branko Djuric.

Andrei Boncea credits as a producer includes Academy Award nominated JOYEUX NOEL, directed by Christian Carion and Un Certain Regard Cannes winner CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’, directed by Christian Nemescu, AMEN, directed by Costa Gavras, CALLAS FOREVER, directed by Franco Zefirelli.

Gabi Popescu credits includes projects like The Protege, directed  by Martin Campbell, starring Samuel Jackson and Michael Keaton. and Bunraki, directed by Guy Moshe, starring Josh Harnett,  Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson.

Rasto Kuril credits includes the production management of major international production shot in Slovakia, such as VAN HELSING, DRACULA, HANNA, RED SPARROW.

As a production service, FRAME FILM worked for also for numerous international commercial productions with clients such as Viacom Hungary (Comedy Club), Henry France (Winamax, Coyote), Pool Films Switzerland (Swiss Tourism), Henry de Czar (NN Insurance), Handsome Paris (Manor), The Sweetshop Films UK (Three Mobile).

Recently our company completed the production service for supernatural thriller  DAMPYR, produced by Eagle Pictures, directed by Riccardo Chemello, starring Wade Briggs, Frida Gustavsson and Stuart Martin and for the action HE PROTEJE, produced by Millenium Films, starring Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Maggie Q., directed by Martin Campbell.

Recently our company completed the production for  DJANGO – The Series, produced by Cattleya Italy (Ricardo Tozzi,) and Atlantique Productions  France (Olivier Bibas), for STUDIOCANAL/ Sky Originals, directed  by Francesca Comencini, starring Matthias Schoenaerts Our sloval unit. Frame Film SK competed the production of  THE PERFORMANCE, directed by Shira Piven, starring Jeremy Piven and Robert Carlyle, and THE STRANGERS Trilogy, directed by Renny Harlin, starring Madelaine Petsch and Gabe Basso.