Filming the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January

Filming the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January

Christmas in Ethiopia is celebrated on the 7th of January and is called Ledet or Genna, as the country follows its own calendar, Ethiopians celebrate ‘Genna’, the birth of Jesus Christ on the 7th of January almost two weeks after the rest of the world mark the day this so unique to Ethiopia compared to the rest of the world who celebrates their Christmas on 25^th December.

The festival takes place throughout the country but Lalibela, the most famous of Ethiopia’s ancient cities is the best place to participate and mark the day and many people travel and stay nights in this town, this is as well the best place where to film the the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January.

During filming the festival you will have an opportunity to film various activities that are done by the local people as celebration to mark the day, these include horse racing and authentic folk dancing. Other notable locations to include in the series for filming during this festival include Axum and Gondar, home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Bahir Dar with its island monasteries on Lake Tana. Contact us here.

Requirements and permissions to film in the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January

There are no set fees for filming in Ethiopia and filming the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January. Donations are often required for local assistance for local film fixer to help all through during your shoot. 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 have a flight permit from the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority. Please contact us for more information on filming in specific locations in Ethiopia.

A foreigner wishing to shoot films 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 of the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January 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 the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January 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 the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January

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 filming the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January.

Where to stay during filming the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January

Lodge options to stay in during filming the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January in Lalibela Town range from Budget, mid-range to luxury options. Options include Mountain View Hotel Lalibela, Holidays Hotel Lalibela, Lal Hotel and Jerusalem Hotel Lalibela mong others. 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 the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January?

Filming the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January 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 Ethiopia to film the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January

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 of the Ledet (Genna) Festival in January.