Geography & Climate

When it comes to Russia a potential visitor normally thinks of stereotypical cold winters and vast planes covered with snow. However, it’s much more diverse. Russia is the largest country in the world covering the territory of more than 17 000 000 sq. meters (10 000 000 sq. miles), spreading over 5 climate zones. That provides filmmakers with thousands of filming locations depending on their preferences and script.

Russia’s climate varies dramatically:

• Winters in Russia’s European part are nothing like as terrifying as many myths have it. In Moscow and St. Petersburg the first snow usually falls in late November and stays till early April.
• Down south, Russia's vast steppe is hot and dry. Winters are short but cold.
• There are cities in Russia where the weather resembles the climate of the French Riviera or some American States. The Black Sea resort of Sochi makes up for the rest of the country with a sizzling 35°C (95° F) between June and August – it is Russia’s top summer holiday spot. The mountains of Caucasus also boast of welcoming climate with warm and sunny spring and autumn, rainy summer and rare snow in winter.
• On the other side of the Ural Mountains, Siberia – contrary to its popular image – isn’t the land of eternal ice. It does have a summer – actually quite a warm and pleasant one, with temperatures climbing to 20°C (68° F) and higher. But, winters are really cold.
• In the Far East, inland areas can get very hot with a tropical 40°C (104° F) and cold winters. Coastal regions are much cooler and wetter.

No matter what landscape or season you are looking for Russia has it.

Average temperature

Moscow    Saint Petersburg   Kazan    Vladivostok

Average Daylight & Sunshine

Moscow    Saint Petersburg   Kazan    Vladivostok

Incentives

On November 7^th 2019 the then-PM of the Russia signed the new Incentives program (Act #1420) set to be launched in late 2020. As per program foreign filmmakers can expect up to 40% return on their production spending through a local production company.

A general overview of the program

To get more info about the incentives contact us

Crew & Rates

Today around 120 local films are released every year with twice as much being in production. Local film crews have experience in many aspects of filmmaking being able to compete with any European country in terms of quality.

Russia is one of the most cost-efficient places to shoot. Even without incentives that were introduced in several regions in 2017 the rates for the film professional services very often are 3 times lower than in Europe.

Choosing Russia as your destination for filming you can be sure that you will be able to effort more than anywhere else keeping to the same budget.

Take a look at the average crew rates in Russia

Bazelevs always works only with the best professionals in the market carefully selecting the crew according to the highest standards. At Bazelevs we understand that nothing is worthier than our image.

We are happy to prepare a budget for you – feel free to Contact Us

Studio facilities & Equipment

More than 10 big studios with a wide range of soundstages (up to 3000 sq. m) and backlots and dozens of smaller studios in Moscow only, provide filmmakers with a variety of service to the client’s demand. 35 and 16 mm cameras, digital cameras, dollies, cranes, lighting – local rental houses offer any kind of equipment that filmmakers from all over the globe are used to. All renowned brands like ARRI, Red, Kodak, Carl Zeiss and many other brands are present here. In addition many production and post-production facilities have appeared, while many were renovated.

List of studio facilities

Film permits

Depending on the city and region, where you are planning to shoot, film permits are obtained by a local production service company through the local film commissions or governmental bodies.

Moscow – film permits are administered through Moscow Film Commission http://filmmoscow.ru/en

Saint Petersburg – film permits are administered through the Committee of Culture of Saint Petersburg.

Vladivostok – film permits are administered through Primorye Film Commission http://www.primoryefilm.com/

We highly recommend to use a local production service company to apply for permits.

Bazelevs has an extensive experience with film permits – you are in good hands

Casting

Russia is a multicultural nation. Standing on the meeting point between Europe and Asia with nearly 12 hundred years history Russia is a homeland to numerous nationalities which have made contribution to the history, architecture and traditions of our country.

With a deep tradition of film and theatre, we draw upon a large pool of proven talent to fill any role. From young life-style players, to classic character actors - we can find the right fit from the 160 ethnic groups represented in Russia.

Accommodation

Largest Russian cities stick to the world standards in terms of accommodation. Renowned brands like Radisson, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Park Hyatt, Hilton and Ibis are all present here. One can easily find accommodation within any budget.

Price for a room for 1 night not far from the city center according to Booking.com:

Filming crews planning to stay within a region for an extended period of time in many cases can expect for a discount from hotels.

Food

And what about food, you may ask? In Moscow and Saint Petersburg cuisines from any part of the world and for any budget are present - from Michelin restaurants to family-owned gastro-pubs.

On average a meal for 2 persons in a mid-range restaurant will cost you around $45 in Moscow and $35 in Saint Petersburg.

The other regions also try to keep the pace expanding the variety of cuisines and high-profile restaurants. Regional prices attract the visitors even more:

Visas

In order to enter Russia the citizens of the EU, the USA, Canada, Australia and of some other countries require visas. To obtain a Russian visa, firstly, you should find out what type of visa you need, secondly obtain an Invitation to Russia and finally give in the documents to apply for a visa.

E-visa – fast and comfortable

As of October 1^st, 2019 an electronic visa for the period of 8 days may be issued to:

• citizens of 53 countries who travel to come to Saint-Petersburg and Kaliningrad regions;
• citizens of 18 countries who travel to the Far East District of Russia.

The process will take just up to 4 days and does not require physical presence of the applicant. One only needs to fill in and submit an electronic form and a digital photo through the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The e-visa allows traveling within the jurisdiction of entrance.

From January 1^st  2021 the e-visa program covers the whole territory of the Russian Federation with the maximum period of stay up to 16 days. For a longer period of stay a visitor should apply to a standard (non-electronic) visa.

To get more info and apply visit http://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru/index_en.html

Flights