Filming in Melkadida Refugee camp
Melkadida Refugee camp is located in Ethiopia on the border close to Somalia. It was established to accommodate thousands of Somali refugees who were displaced by the civil war strife in Somalia.
Like other refugees camps in Ethiopia, Melkadida Refugee Camp is also affected by many challenges including health issues cutting across the camp. This has thus attracted many NGOs and Government funded organizations to support them through logistical and humanitarian aid.
Requirements and permissions to film in Melkadida Refugee Camp
It all starts with preparations to ensure that all is in order before you fly into the country for the shoot, and in line with the recent events relating to Covid-19, checkups are a must before flying to Ethiopia.
In most cases there are no set fees for filming in Ethiopia refugee camps. Donations are often required for local assistance for local film fixer to help all through during your shoot in Melkadida Refugee Camp. Some regional governments will charge location fees. In many cases, our fixer will need to travel to negotiate location fees in person. Aerial filming in Ethiopia requires the pilot to have a flight permit from the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority. Please contact us for more information on Aerial/drone filming in Ethiopia.
Before filming in Melkadida Refugee Camp, you are required to seek locations permission, which is got from Government of Ethiopia, Commissioner for Refugees. This office is in charge of overseeing all works that are carried out in IDP Camps from both government projects and NGOs in Ethiopia. You will be required to write a letter addressed to the office of the Commissioner for Refugees detailing who you are, what you do, when you plan to shoot, and the people on the project. You will send through this letter to us, and we will handle its submission and follow-ups on your behalf. The process takes some time, so you are required to start applying at least a month in advance.
A foreigner wishing to shoot films refugee camps in Ethiopia is required by law to submit his application to the office of Government Communication Affairs Office Foreign Media Accreditation not later than ten (10) days prior to the day on which he/she is due to commence filming, if you don’t want to hustle contact us and we help you all through the process of securing a filming permit in Ethiopia. The application shall contain, among other things, the purpose and title of the film, duration of the shooting and the exact location where it takes place and the total production cost of the film as well as the portion that will be used within Ethiopia.
The applicant should submit together with his application the following documents:
- A copy of the film script along with its synopsis for feature films or synopsis for documentary films.
- In case an Ethiopian personality is portrayed in the film as a character, a copy of a document of no objection from such person or his heirs, certified by an organ legally empowered to approve contracts and documents.
- In case of a co-production by an Ethiopian and a foreigner, an agreement indicating the responsibilities and liabilities of each party.
- The nationality of the filming crew, the passport number, the country issuing the passport, their permanent and temporary addresses as well as other information as may be required by the Office.
- The Applicant should also attach on the application, The name of the company, The name, the passport number and the nationality of the filming crew, The purpose and title of the film, Duration of the shooting and exact location where it takes place, The production cost of the film and Name and Telephone of the contact person or organization in Ethiopia
The applicant is required to submit together with his application the following documents.
- A copy of the film script along with its synopsis for feature films or synopsis for documentary films.
- A list of equipment necessary for shooting film, in 3 copies.
- One passport size photograph at arrival
A foreigner applying for shooting film in Ethiopia should also pay to the Office a permit fee, where an applicant wishes to use an aircraft for shooting a film; he should obtain a flight permit from the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority. Contact us here for more information on aerial filming in Ethiopia.
Note
The permit and letter to the customs shall be issued immediately when the film crew members appear in person and sign an undertaking to adhere to the conditions of permit and respect the laws of the country. Contact us here to help you secure a filming permit for Ethiopia, fees will be determine based on your filming location.
On top of the above you will need to cover accommodation, visa and work permits, transport and others for a successful shoot in Melkadida Refugee Camp as below;
Ethiopia Work permits and Visa Advice
You will need to purchase the tourist visa or a business visa. Many film crews prefer obtaining their visas before they come to Ethiopia this is the best way and you can get the e-visa through https://www.evisa.gov.et/ Also depending o your country of origin you can as well obtained a visa upon arrival at any entry point and in this case Addis Ababa Bole International Airport upon paying either US$52 for a single-entry visa with validity up to 30 days or US$72 for a single-entry visa with validity up to 90 days and you will be able to get it immediately. Contact a consulate near you or us here for more information about Visa application for Ethiopia.
Ethiopia Vehicle Hire Services
We will help you organize transport for film crews to film in Melkadida Refugee Camp depending on their interest, budget and the nature of roads in such selected locations to film in the park. We recommend Customized 4×4 Land Cruisers. For us to estimate how much it will cost in terms of fuel, we will need to look at your filming schedule to establish mileage and distance to be travelled. We also organize both charter and schedule air transport for those that need to fly in order to reduce on the number of drive hours to the Park.
Fixers in Ethiopia to help you film in Melkadida Refugee Camp
All our vehicles come with drivers who act as location fixers and most of them have been to almost all parts of Ethiopia and are thus conversant with the local situations and are able to provide relevant information and fix any situation on ground. These work as intermediaries between you and our office while on location in Melkadida Refugee Camp.
Security during your shoot in Melkadida Refugee Camp
For filming in IDP camps, security is critical, and it’s advised to have either one or two armed security guards with you for the entire duration of the shoot. You may not know what the situation is around the camp and having security may come in handy if the community gets hostile. Security personnel hired from Ethiopia Federal Police require us to submit in a request and a fee is determined per day per security officer.
Where to stay during filming in Melkadida Refugee Camp
Hotel options to stay in during filming in Melkadida Refugee Camp range from Budget, mid-range to luxury options. You will choose what to stay in depending on your interests and budget. Contact us here for reservation and booking details.
What is the best time to film in Melkadida Refugee Camp?
Filming in Melkadida Refugee Camp is done throughout the year and the best time is during the months of October to May which is relatively dry than March April to September.
Why use Film crew fixers?
Film crew Fixers is a local fixer company in East Africa. We assist filming companies and Production agencies in Ethiopia. We handle all fixer services required with our professional team of local fixers and driver guides. We have all relevant connections with other service providers and government agencies in Ethiopia to make sure that accreditation and filming permits for filming in Ethiopia are processed in the shortest time possible. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming in Melkadida Refugee Camp.
