Czech Republic
Czech Republic’s well established film infrastructure and depth of locations means it continues to be a favourite destination for many international productions. Locations of interest to filmmakers and photographers include old world architecture, castles and palaces, rustic countryside, winding roads ideal for car commercials, picturesque towns, beautiful landscapes such as lakes, deep forests, rolling hills and snow-capped mountains.
Czech is a small country offering an impressive variety of locations within a short drive from the capital.
Cost & Rebates
20% rebate on qualifying Czech spending; 66% rebate on international costs paid to foreign above-the-line cast and crew who pay withholding tax in the Czech Republic
Requirements: Feature films must spend more than $628,000; documentaries must spend more than $83,000. Your production must pass this (relatively easy) cultural test, as well.
When To Shoot
Czech has a four-season climate with hot summers, colourful leaves in fall, white winters, and spring in full bloom. May to October are the best months to film for warm weather looks. November to April has snow on the mountains.
Visa Information
Czech is a member of the Schengen Area. Only certain countries need visas and there is no need for work permits. US film crews can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Contact your local Czech embassy / representative for more information.
Cast, Crew & Equipment
Czech has a good pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Its close proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of creative talent should you ever need to look further.
Czech is known for having exceptional English speaking crews with extensive experience in international productions. The quality is comparable to that of crews in Germany. Czech crews are non-union. Talent is non-union. Day rates and buyouts are negotiable. Most local talent looks are central European of a Slavic background. Czech does not have a large pool of multicultural talent as you might find in the US or UK, but there are enough to fill extra roles. In any case, Prague’s close proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of talent should you ever need to look further. Czech has a deep range of standard and specialised camera, lighting and grip equipment with companies such as Arri, Vantage, Panther, Panavision and Panalux all present. Some specialised gyro heads and camera cars need to be brought in.
For productions looking to bring in film equipment Czech is an ATA carnet country.