Nestled in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is home to many vibrant cultures and a history that dates back to the beginning of civilization. It’s also the birthplace of the Rastafarian movement (though Jamaica did fly the flag thereafter), coffee, and Abebe Bikila, the first black African to win gold in the Olympics (Rome, 1960).
Your journalist fixer and production coordinator in Ethiopia will fill you in on further fascinating facts. For now, why not read about the wondrous locations for you to start your Ethiopian filming adventure:
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, the bustling capital of Ethiopia, offers a wealth of cultural, historical, and natural locations. Your location scout will no doubt suggest filming in the vibrant Mercato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets, where bustling streets are filled with colorful stalls selling everything from spices to traditional crafts. If you want a more panoramic view of the city, talk to your production coordinator in Ethiopia about gaining access to Mount Entoto, while the elegantly landscaped gardens of Unity Park can offer an equally lovely location.
Danakil Depression
The Danakil Depression, often referred to as one of the hottest and most inhospitable places on Earth, is a surreal landscape of verdant and yellow salt flats, volcanic craters, and bubbling hot springs.
Incredibly, it’s also home to communities of Afar nomads. The spectacle of the Erta Ale volcano, which emits a continuous flow of lava, is an astonishing sight to film, and your production coordinator in Ethiopia will investigate the permits and access needed if you want to film here.
Danakil Depression
Dire Dawa
Dire Dawa is Ethiopia’s second-largest city, with bustling crowded streets and ornate plazas. Researching the rich history of this city will require help from a journalist fixer who can offer you information on the historic old town with its distinctive Ottoman-style architecture, or on the Mesolithic rock paintings of the cave of Porc-Épic and Laga-Oda only a few kilometers from Dire Dawa. The city is a melting pot of diverse cultures and ethnic groups, and the gateway to Ethiopia’s eastern lowlands.
Gambela
Your location scout would be doing you a disservice if they didn’t introduce you to Gambela, in western Ethiopia. A National Park located along the banks of the Baro River is known for its rich biodiversity and diverse ethnic communities.
There’s also a chance for filmmakers to catch on camera elephants, buffalo, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitat. wildlife viewing, with the chance to spot elephants, buffalo, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitat.
Gambela
Tigray
If location scouting is in Tigray, in northern Ethiopia, you’ll certainly come across the remarkable rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, built between the 7th and 13th centuries. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, they are among the most famous religious landmarks in Ethiopia.
Carved directly into the rugged cliffsides and adorned with intricate carvings and colorful frescoes, many of the churches are connected by a system of tunnels and trenches. Your production coordinator in Ethiopia will be able to secure filming permits should you wish to shoot here.
Location Scouting in Ethiopia
There are so many incredible places, diverse ecosystems, and stunning landscapes in Ethiopia, and whatever part of this fascinating East African country you’re interested in filming in, our expert team and production coordinator in Ethiopia are on hand to help.
Not only can we recommend tailored locations based on your vision and production needs, but our team of specialized film experts can organize and manage the logistics of getting film crews and kits to the locations, whether they are popular spots or off the beaten track.
We want to provide you with the benefit of our knowledge and skills in filming in Ethiopia. We know that any production that happens abroad can often be pressure-filled and problematic. But with Fixer in Ethiopia working alongside you, you can be assured of a happy, hassle-free, and professionally managed production. So, drop us an email, and we can start your exciting film journey today.
