Filming Permit in Morocco: The Complete Guide to Obtaining Your Permit in 2026

You are preparing a shoot in Morocco and wondering what authorisations are needed? Any professional audiovisual production (commercial, documentary, music video, series, TV programme or feature film) must obtain an official permit issued by the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM). For foreign companies, this procedure must go through a Moroccan production company accredited by the CCM.

In this guide, we explain in detail how filming permits work in Morocco, the documents to prepare, the timelines to anticipate, the rules concerning drones, as well as the most frequent mistakes that delay international productions. You will also discover how a fixer and production coordinator can simplify the entire process and allow you to shoot in the best conditions.

Why do you need a filming permit in Morocco?

Morocco welcomes hundreds of international productions every year thanks to the diversity of its landscapes, the quality of its technicians and its proximity to Europe. Advertising campaigns, documentaries, music videos, TV series and feature films are shot there all year round.

However, contrary to what some productions imagine, it is not possible to organise a professional shoot simply by booking a hotel and arriving with your equipment. Professional filming is strictly regulated in order to guarantee:

• the safety of crews;
• respect for public and private places;
• coordination with local authorities;
• control of temporary imports of audiovisual equipment;
• compliance with aviation regulations for drones.

This framework also protects the productions themselves. A properly declared crew avoids filming interruptions, administrative blockages or delays linked to missing authorisations.

Who issues filming permits in Morocco?

The Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM) is the competent authority for issuing filming permits throughout Moroccan territory. Created to regulate and develop the national film industry, the CCM notably:

• authorises audiovisual productions;
• supports foreign productions;
• coordinates administrative procedures;
• supervises certain temporary equipment imports;
• works with local authorities when necessary.

The permit issued by the CCM is the essential administrative foundation of any professional shoot. However, depending on the nature of the project, other authorisations may be added:

Each project therefore has its own administrative constraints. That is precisely why preparing the file is an essential step.

Can a foreign company apply for its permit directly?

The answer is no. A foreign production company cannot submit a filming permit application to the CCM on its own. It must work with a Moroccan production company holding the necessary accreditation.

This company becomes the official interlocutor of the Moroccan authorities and handles:

• submitting the file to the CCM;
• administrative follow-up;
• coordination with the various administrations;
• relations with local authorities;
• the shoot's compliance with Moroccan regulations.

This requirement gives foreign productions a local partner with perfect knowledge of the administrative procedures and the realities on the ground.

What is the role of a fixer in Morocco?

This is often the question foreign producers ask. Contrary to popular belief, a fixer does not just book hotels or translate a few exchanges. Their role is to save time, secure the project and anticipate difficulties before they become costly problems.

At Kaizer Media Productions, we work as fixer and production coordinator to support French, European, American, Canadian and international crews wishing to shoot in Morocco. Our mission notably consists of:

• analysing the project's needs;
• directing the production towards an accredited Moroccan company when necessary;
• organising technical scouting;
• coordinating local crews;
• finding the best locations;
• negotiating with local suppliers;
• organising logistics and planning transport;
• preparing call sheets;
• coordinating shooting days;
• ensuring communication between foreign crews and Moroccan partners.

Our goal is simple: allow directors and producers to focus on creation, while the entire organisational side is handled locally.

Why do foreign productions choose Morocco?

A great diversity of locations. Within a few hours' drive, you can go from the Atlas mountains to the desert, the Atlantic beaches, historic medinas, Berber villages and contemporary cities like Casablanca or Rabat. This diversity often makes it possible to represent several countries in a single project while reducing production costs.

Experienced technical crews. Morocco regularly hosts international productions. Local technicians have solid experience in production management, unit management, camera, sound, grip, lighting, set design, set construction and production transport. This expertise facilitates the integration of foreign crews and guarantees quality that meets international standards.

Excellent value for money. The overall cost of a production in Morocco generally remains lower than in many European countries, while offering professional infrastructure, a network of specialised suppliers and particularly competitive filming conditions.

How to obtain a filming permit in Morocco

A shoot's success doesn't depend only on the script, casting or budget. Much of the work happens before the first day of filming. In practice, obtaining a permit follows several successive steps. The earlier they are anticipated, the more smoothly the project runs.

Step 1: define the project precisely

Before any permit application, it is essential to gather the key information about the shoot. The administrations need a clear vision of the project to assess logistical needs and additional authorisations. The information generally requested includes:

• the type of production (commercial, documentary, series, feature film, music video, digital content);
• the provisional shooting dates;
• the cities concerned and the exact locations envisaged;
• the synopsis or director's statement;
• the list of the main crew members;
• the imported audiovisual equipment and technical vehicles;
• special requirements (drone, special effects, road closures, night scenes, animals, stunts, etc.).

The more precise this information is from the start, the smoother the procedures will be.

Step 2: choose a production partner in Morocco

For a foreign company, this step is mandatory. The permit application is submitted by a Moroccan production company accredited by the CCM, which becomes the official interlocutor of the authorities.

As fixer and production coordinator, our role at Kaizer Media Productions is to support producers from this preparation phase: understanding the project's artistic and technical needs, directing the production towards the right Moroccan partner when necessary, preparing the production calendar, coordinating exchanges between foreign crews and local stakeholders and anticipating the administrative constraints linked to the chosen locations. This preparation avoids many difficulties once the crew arrives in Morocco.

Step 3: assemble the administrative file

The file sent to the CCM varies according to the nature of the project, but it generally includes several essential elements:

Depending on the project, other documents may be necessary, particularly for shoots involving drones, stunts, special effects or sensitive sites. A frequent mistake is modifying the schedule or locations after submitting the file without updating the information: these changes can lead to further administrative exchanges and delay the planned calendar.

Step 4: obtain the additional authorisations

The permit issued by the CCM is the foundation of the file, but it does not automatically cover every situation. Each location has its own access rules: a hotel requires the agreement of its owner or management, a privatised riad may impose time constraints, a historic monument generally applies a specific procedure, some roads require coordination with local authorities, and very busy areas sometimes require special organisation to limit disruption.

When a shoot involves several cities, these procedures can represent a significant part of the preparation. That is why local coordination is often decisive.

How long does it take to obtain a filming permit?

There is no single timeline. The duration mainly depends on the number of locations, the type of production, the volume of imported equipment, the time of year and whether additional authorisations are needed. As a guide:

These timelines are indicative. The more ambitious the project, the earlier it is advisable to start the procedures. Our recommendation is simple: as soon as the shooting dates become realistic, it is best to launch the administrative preparation.

Can you import your audiovisual equipment into Morocco?

Yes. Most international productions work with their own camera, lighting or sound equipment. However, the temporary import of professional equipment requires rigorous preparation. A detailed equipment list is generally drawn up before the crew's arrival: cameras, lenses, drones (where authorised), stabilisation systems, lights, lighting consoles, sound recorders, microphones, grip accessories.

Each piece of equipment must be easily identifiable by its brand, model and serial number. This preparation facilitates customs formalities and limits the risk of delays on arrival. For some projects, it is also more advantageous to rent part of the equipment directly in Morocco to reduce transport costs and simplify logistics.

Drone regulations in Morocco

Using a professional drone is one of the most sensitive subjects when preparing a shoot. Unlike other countries, owning a drone and a pilot's licence is not enough to fly in Morocco.

Each project must be studied according to the filming location, the planned altitude, the dates, the purpose of the images and any specific authorisations required. In many cases, productions prefer to work with a local drone operator with perfect knowledge of the applicable regulations and administrative procedures. This solution considerably reduces preparation times and secures the shoot.

The most common mistakes made by foreign productions

Having supported many international crews in the field, we regularly encounter the same difficulties. Anticipating them often saves several days of production.

Waiting until the last minute

Some productions start the procedures only a few days before their arrival. This limits the chances of obtaining all authorisations within the desired timeframe.

Underestimating travel times

Morocco is a vast country. Two locations that seem close on a map may require several hours of driving, particularly in mountainous or desert regions. Good logistical preparation avoids overloaded shooting days and improves crew comfort.

Choosing locations without scouting

Technical constraints can appear once on site: difficult access for technical vehicles, insufficient power supply, ambient noise, tourist crowds, time restrictions. Prior scouting identifies these constraints before the shoot and adapts the organisation accordingly. See also our guide to the best filming locations in Marrakech.

Checklist: preparing a shoot in Morocco

• ☐ Define the final filming locations.
• ☐ Establish a realistic production schedule.
• ☐ Prepare a synopsis or director's statement.
• ☐ Compile the complete list of technical and artistic crew.
• ☐ Prepare the detailed inventory of audiovisual equipment.
• ☐ Identify special requirements (drone, stunts, special effects, road closures, animals, prop weapons, etc.).
• ☐ Choose a Moroccan production company accredited by the CCM where required.
• ☐ Check accommodation, catering and transport needs.
• ☐ Organise technical scouting.
• ☐ Allow a safety margin before the first day of shooting.

Rigorous preparation is often the factor that separates a smooth shoot from a project facing delays or additional costs.

Why choose Marrakech as a production base?

Located in the heart of Morocco, Marrakech is one of the country's main audiovisual production centres. Within a few hours' drive, you can access a great diversity of settings: the Agafay desert, the High Atlas mountains, historic kasbahs, Berber villages, palm groves, oases, the Ouarzazate plateaus, the beaches of Essaouira and medinas listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

This proximity reduces travel times, limits logistics costs and optimises the shooting schedule. Marrakech also has a well-developed network of technicians, equipment rental companies, studios, hotels and specialised suppliers, making it an excellent starting point for national and international productions.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is a permit mandatory for a professional shoot in Morocco?

Yes. Any professional audiovisual production must comply with the regulations in force. The details may vary depending on the nature of the project, the filming locations and any additional authorisations required.

Can a foreign company apply directly to the CCM?

Foreign productions must rely on an accredited Moroccan production company where regulations require it. This company handles the administrative procedures and officially represents the project before the competent authorities.

Can you use a drone to film in Morocco?

Drone use is subject to specific regulations. Each project must be studied individually and may require special authorisations. It is generally recommended to work with a local operator who masters the applicable procedures.

How long does it take to organise a shoot?

It all depends on the complexity of the project. A simple commercial can be prepared in a few weeks, while a series or feature film often requires several months of preparation. The earlier the procedures start, the smoother the organisation.

Do you only offer fixer services?

No. We offer complete support including fixing, production coordination, scouting, technical crew recruitment, logistics, transport, casting, equipment rental, as well as operational follow-up throughout the shoot.

Our support at Kaizer Media Productions

Every project is different. A two-day commercial doesn't involve the same needs as a documentary spanning several weeks or an international feature film. That is why we offer tailor-made support, adapted to the size of each production. We can get involved from the development phase to assess the project's feasibility, estimate technical needs and identify constraints linked to the locations envisaged.

Pre-production: project study, budget estimate, location research, scouting, casting, crew assembly, shoot planning.

Production coordination: supplier management, transport organisation, accommodation, catering, vehicle rental, call sheets, daily coordination.

Technical services: thanks to our network of partners, we can organise cinematographers, camera operators, sound engineers, camera assistants, electricians, grips, make-up artists, set designers, stills photographers and drone pilots authorised under the applicable regulations.

We also act as a single point of contact between foreign crews and local partners to streamline exchanges in French and English.

Prepare your shoot in Morocco with a local partner

Organising an audiovisual production in a new country requires perfect knowledge of the terrain, logistical constraints and administrative procedures. Local support saves time, secures the schedule and optimises production costs.

Based in Marrakech, Kaizer Media Productions supports French, European, American, Canadian and international productions in preparing and coordinating their shoots in Morocco. Whether you are preparing a commercial, a documentary, a music video, a series or a feature film, we put our network of partners, our knowledge of the terrain and our production experience at your disposal to turn your logistical constraints into a simple, smooth and efficient process.

Planning a shoot in Morocco? Contact us to study your project and build a solution adapted to your calendar, budget and production objectives.