How to apply for a Documentary Film Making in Ethiopia

 

(NB.- This procedure should also be applied for video, audio or visual agencies; for filming or reporting)

APPLICATION FOR FILMING DOCUMENTARIES IN ETHIOPIA

The foreiger wishing to shoot films in Ethiopia shall submit his wrotten application to the Ethiopian Embassy in Stockholm to get business visa before his departure to Ethiopia for filming or reporting purpose.

1. Application structure for film shooting in Ethiopia

The application shall contain, among other things:-

• The name of the company

  • Producer of the Film:

    (a) Organization Name:

    (b) Contact Details:

     

• The name and  the pasport number of the filming crew,

• The purpose and the title of the film,

• Duration of the shooting and exact location where it takes place,

• The production cost of the film (who will cover the production cost?)

• Name and telrphone of the contact person or organization in ethiopia.

  • Details of Representative in Ethiopia, if any:

    • (a) Organization/Representative

    • (b) Contact Details:

     

• Any documentary made earlier by the applicant in Ethiopia:  If yes, details thereof (Attach separate sheet, if required):

• Is the documentary/report for public broadcast?  If so, on which network/channel:

• Place: Date:  and signature of the applicant

2. The applicant shall submit the following with the application:-

1. A copy of the film script along with its synopsis for feature films or synopsis for the documentary films

2. A list of equipment necessary to be used, in 2 copies,

3. List/full details of crewmembers (names, nationality,  telephone, address) and their passport copy,

Steps and procedures of the application for filming

1. The completed application form and signed undertaking (placed below) has to be sent, preferably by e-mail or post, to the Public and Community Affairs Division in the Embassy of Ethiopia in Stockholm by the applicant. Undertaking (PDF)

2. Upon receiving the application,  the Embassy would send application for  permission for filming to the Public Diplomacy and Public Relations General Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ethiopia. It is the General Directorate, in coolabortion with the Ministry of information, that issues a permission for filming in Ethiopia.

3. Up on receiving letter of confirmation for press permission form the General Directorate issues a permission for filming, the Embassy should notify the applicant to apply for business visa. (See how to apply for visa).

4. Then the applicant should apply for visa in Ethiopia Embassy, which in turn will issue Journalist (‘BV’) visa for travel to Ethiopia for filming on the basis of the permission. Documentary filming is not permissible on other types of visas (e.g. tourist/ transit visas).

5. Upon issue of the business visa, the Embassy shall facilitate the import of filming equipments.

6. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the applicant should contact the the Minisrty of Information and pay a permit fee and thereby collect a press badge. (See the contact address of the Ministry of Information).

Notes:-

• Crewmembers shall submit one passport size photograph for the press badge at arrival in Addis Ababa.

• Where the applicant wishes to use an aircraft for shooting a film, s/he should obtain a flight permit from the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority.

Time taken:-

• NB;-Journalist and other travelers for shutting films or reporting should have to send their application for film or press permission at least 20 working days a head of their departure date.  Hence,  it is advisable to send the application at least 20 days a head of the departure date.

• The visa process will started after the permission for filming is granted and this would take up to 20 days.

Forms:

• List of Equipment to be carried by Foreign Journalists visiting Ethiopia