Latvia
Latvia boasts a diverse range of landscapes, including medieval castles, picturesque old towns, unspoiled nature reserves, pristine beaches, dense forests, and modern urban areas.
Filming in Latvia
The country offers a mix of historical, rural, and contemporary settings.
The National Film Centre of Latvia serves as the primary resource for filmmakers and provides assistance for production inquiries. They can provide information on permits, filming locations, local crews, and financial incentives. Contacting them directly will give you access to valuable resources.
To film in Latvia, you’ll need to obtain permits from relevant authorities. The National Film Centre can guide you through the process and help you navigate any specific requirements. It’s important to plan ahead and allow sufficient time for permit approvals.
Latvia has a skilled pool of local crew members, including production teams, technicians, and talent agencies. If you require specific expertise, the National Film Centre can connect you with the appropriate contacts.
The official language in Latvia is Latvian. However, many Latvians also speak English, especially in urban areas and within the film industry. Language barriers are generally minimal when working with local crews.
Latvia has a well-developed infrastructure to support film production. Major cities like Riga offer modern facilities, equipment rental services, and post-production studios, and has an extensive transportation network, including international flights to Riga International Airport. The country offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly alternatives, catering to different production needs.
Latvia is generally a safe country with a low crime rate. It’s always advisable to take standard safety precautions and be aware of your surroundings during any production.
Climate
Latvia has a temperate climate with distinct seasonal variations. Summers are generally mild to warm, with average temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). It is the sunniest time of the year, with long daylight hours. Winters in Latvia are cold, often with temperatures dropping below freezing. Average winter temperatures range from -5 to -10 degrees Celsius (23 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit), and snowfall is common. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons characterized by mild temperatures and changing weather patterns. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, with the highest precipitation occurring in summer. Overall, Latvia experiences a moderate climate, influenced by its proximity to the Baltic Sea, with relatively mild summers and cold winter
Our Partner
Our first Partner is an international film production company that conceptualizes, produces and distributes it own film & television content around the globe. They have their own IP, production and distribution network.
With over 20 years experience in scouting and facilitating production services, our Partner provides end-to-end solutions at all stages of the TV & film production and is able to provide worldwide casting services, legal services, accounting, payroll, Bond Co as well as budgeting, scheduling, scouting, crew hire and full below the line production support in any EU country.
They are also the only production company in the region that has own equipped sound stage and in-house professional film equipment and a virtual LED wall. Newly built 1500m2 studio located 10 minutes drive from the centre, LED unit studio is fully equipped for Virtual and classical production.
- 160kw power
- Smoke extraction system
- Heating
- Air-conditioning
- Make-up, changing, production rooms
- Wardrobe storage
- Large parking
- In-house lights & grip equipment
- In-house wooden stage flats
Our second Partner is a leading production service company based in Estonia, offering full-service production across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland (Lapland). From frozen lakes to midnight-sun beaches, our Partner brings global stories to life through precision, creativity, and seamless execution in the cinematic North.
Established in 2011, this Partner has delivered award-winning campaigns and long-form productions for clients and agencies. Advantages of selecting this Partner include –
- 30-40% Film Cash Rebate – available for feature films and series, processed quickly and transparently.
- Fast Permits & Logistics – compact distances and agile administration mean city and location permissions within 5-7 days.
- Versatile Locations – Estonia’s diverse architecture doubles for Scandinavia, the UK and Central Europe while Finland’s Lapland delivers authentic Arctic scenery.
- Skilled, English-Speaking Crews – reliable professionals with international experience, used to multi-market shoots and creative collaboration.
- 4 True Seasons – 18 hours of daylight in summer and real snow in winter; temperatures range from +24 °C to –8 °C.
- Sustainability in Action – from tree-planting initiatives with the Forest Owners Association to waste-reduction practices on set. Partners with Green The Bid.
- Efficient Budgets – average shoot day from content shoots of €18 000 to high end TVC shoots of €55 000, including full local crew, equipment, and production support.
- Quick Turnarounds – casting and location references within 24 hours.
Tax Breaks & Incentives
Latvia offers tax incentives to attract international film productions to the country. Latvia offers one of the fastest rebate payout – money available for producers approx in 6 weeks after last shooting day. Rebates up to 40%. The tax incentives aim to promote Latvia as a favourable filming location and boost the local film industry. However, please note that the specific details and regulations regarding tax incentives for filming may have changed since then. It’s always best to consult with the Latvian Film Commission or our local production partner for the most up-to-date information. http://www.filmlatvia.lv/en/
Recent Credits
Production Houses: Immersive artistry, IMN Creative, Quibi, EMH Consulting, Hippo, Orka, Leopolis, Crowdestor, Gunpowder & Sky, Netflix, Freemantle, Walt Disney, Hallmark Channel, Wildside.
Directors worked work: Zack Snyder,Fredrik Bond, Juan Cabral, Tom Kuntz, Darren Aronofsky, Tom Hooper, Bjorn Ruhmann, Pantera, Perlorian Brothers, Jovan Todorovic, Michael Fueter, Similar but Different, Tony Barry, Randy Krallman, Peter Lydon, Nur Casadevall, Ivan Fabbing, Martin Jalfen, Michale Kuhn, Mike Miquire, Christina Hodnet and many more.
Brands/Production Houses worked with: Hyundai, Volkswagen, Jameson, Tanqueray, Lidl, Google Pixel, and LinkedIn as well as Amazon, Netflix and Viaplay.
Directors worked with: Wieden + Kennedy, Jung von Matt, Stink Films, Doity Produktion, Creative Blood, Zauberberg, 27KM, Wiedemann & Berg and Banijay Group. Filmed with international directors Camila Zapiola, Jenny Brough, Parker Schmidt, Simon Pawlik and Dorian & Daniel.
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