Complete Guide to Obtaining Moroccan Filming Permits for Foreign Productions

Start Your Cinematic Journey in Morocco

Morocco’s enchanting appeal as a filming location remains unrivaled, with its remarkable cultural diversity, captivating landscapes, affordable production facilities, and skilled local talent. It’s no wonder that filmmakers and production companies from all over the world are drawn to this picturesque country.

Morocco: A Cinematic Paradise

However, the journey to creating a cinematic masterpiece begins with obtaining the necessary filming permits. This comprehensive guide aims to unravel the intricacies of obtaining Moroccan filming permits and ensure a smooth and efficient filming process.

Understanding the Role of the Moroccan Film Centre (MFC)

As the main regulatory authority, the Moroccan Film Centre (CCM) oversees all filming activities in Morocco. Holding the keys to the various types of filming permits in Morocco, the CCM also serves as an essential bridge between local and foreign production companies and relevant government bodies.

Collaborating with a CCM-Certified Moroccan Production Company

According to the guidelines established by the Moroccan Film Centre (CCM), foreign production companies wishing to shoot in Morocco must work with a Moroccan production and service company. The choice of a production company certified by the CCM is strongly recommended over freelance and independent agents or fixers to facilitate procedures and maintain effective relations with local authorities.

Step-by-Step Process to Secure a Filming Permit in Morocco

Obtaining a Filming Permit for Feature Films and Documentary Feature Films

A complete film permit application will normally be reviewed and approved within a 15 day window, starting the day after the application is submitted. It is essential that the application is complete or it won’t be processed. Requirements for such an application include

• A formal written request for a filming permit, authenticated and sealed by the manager of the approved Moroccan executive production company, addressed to the director of the CCM, in accordance with the circular dated 28-11-2014.
• A fully completed application form for a filming permit, signed and stamped by the director of the company.
• Repatriation undertakings, duly signed and stamped by both the Moroccan company and the foreign company.
• A copy of the script in Arabic or French.
• A synopsis of the film in Arabic or French.
• A certified agreement signed and sealed by the foreign company in favour of the Moroccan executive production company.
• A list of foreign and Moroccan technicians of various specializations with their PIC numbers issued by the CCM, in compliance with the 25% quota of Moroccan technicians stipulated in Law 20-99.
• The duly signed and sealed contracts with the Moroccan technical-artistic team of the film, are to be submitted with the application.
• The production manager must be a Moroccan national and a PIC holder.
• A commitment from the production company to employ one trainee for every 8 PIC-holding technicians.
• The shooting schedule and daily call sheet must be submitted to the CCM before the day of shooting.
• Proof of payment of the filming permit fee in accordance with the applicable rates.
• Bank statement of the foreign production’s income in Morocco before the end of the month following the last day of shooting.

Obtaining a Filming Permit for Television Films, Television Series, and Sitcoms

Filming permits for television films, television series, and sitcoms are issued within 15 days (or 30 days for series over 120 minutes in length) from the day after the completed application is submitted. Here are the documents required for the application:

• A formal written request for a filming permit, signed and stamped by the manager of the Moroccan company approved for executive production, addressed to the Director of the CCM.
• A fully completed, signed, and stamped filming permit application form.
• Signed and stamped repatriation undertakings from Moroccan and foreign companies.
• A copy of the script is translated into Arabic or French.
• A synopsis of the film in Arabic or French.
• The name of the broadcasting station.
• A signed and stamped letter of accreditation from the foreign company to the Moroccan company providing the services.
• A complete list of foreign and Moroccan technicians of all specializations with their PIC numbers issued by the MFC to guarantee the 25% quota of Moroccan technicians required by Law 20-99.
• Signed and stamped contracts with the Moroccan technical-artistic team included in the application.
• A list of trainees, at the rate of one trainee for every 8 technicians holding a PIC, selected from the MFC’s list of trainees.
• The production manager must be a Moroccan national holding a PIC.
• A comprehensive work schedule.
• A detailed call sheet for each day of shooting, is to be submitted to the CCM on the eve of shooting.
• Proof of payment of the filming permit fee in accordance with the applicable rates.
• Bank statement of the foreign production’s income in Morocco before the end of the month following the last day of shooting.

Obtaining a Filming Permit for Medium-Length Films, Short Films, and Fiction Documentaries

Filming permits for medium-length films, short films, and fiction documentaries can be obtained within 7 days from the day after submission of the complete application. The application should include:

• Request for a filming permit, signed and stamped by the manager of the approved Moroccan executive production company, addressed to the Director of the MFC, according to the circular dated 28-11-2014.
• Completed Filming Permit application form, signed and stamped by the company manager. The form can be obtained from the official website.
• Repatriation undertakings, signed and stamped by both the Moroccan company and the foreign company, as per the undertaking dated 14-04-2015 available on the website.
• Copy of the script in Arabic or French.
• Film synopsis in Arabic or French.
• Accreditation document, duly signed and stamped by the foreign company, supporting the Moroccan service-providing company.
• List of foreign technicians and Moroccan technicians across all specialisms, including their PIC numbers issued by the MFC, while adhering to the 25% Moroccan technicians quota specified in Law 20-99, as stated in the circular dated 20-12-2004.
• Contracts with the film’s Moroccan technical-artistic team, duly signed and stamped by all parties involved. These contracts must be submitted with the application, following the circular dated 18-03-2004. Any additional contracts must be submitted to the MFC before filming commences or within 5 days of signing.
• Production Manager, who must be a Moroccan national and a PIC holder.
• Recruitment of one trainee for every 8 PIC-holding technicians from the trainee list provided by the MFC. Trainees should be registered with their respective numbers, as per Law 20-99.
• Work schedule, as outlined in the circular dated 19-07-2004.
• Submission of the call sheet for each day’s filming to the MFC on the day before shooting, following the circular dated 05-03-2015.
• Proof of payment for the Filming Permit fee, based on the current scale of charges.
• Bank attestation of the turnover achieved by the foreign production in Morocco before the end of the month following the last day of shooting, in accordance with the circular dated 29-1-2015 on the website.

Obtaining a Filming Permit for Music Video and Musical Varieties

Filming permits for musical varieties clips can be obtained within 7 days from the day after submitting the complete application. The application should include the following:

• Request for a filming permit, signed and stamped by the manager of the approved Moroccan executive production company, addressed to the Director of the MFC, as per the circular dated 28-11-2014.
• Completed Filming Permit application form, signed and stamped by the company manager. The form can be obtained from the official website.
• Repatriation undertakings, signed and stamped by both the Moroccan company and the foreign company, following the undertaking dated 14-04-2015 available on the website.
• Brief/description of the clip, including dialogue and overview.
• Accreditation document, duly signed and stamped by the foreign company, supporting the Moroccan service-providing company.
• List of foreign technicians and Moroccan technicians across all specialisms, including their PIC numbers issued by the MFC, while adhering to the 25% Moroccan technicians quota specified in Law 20-99, based on the circular dated 20-12-2004.
• Contracts with the clip’s Moroccan technical-artistic team, duly signed and stamped by all parties involved. These contracts must be submitted with the application, as per the circular dated 18-03-2004. Any additional contracts must be submitted to the MFC before filming commences or within 5 days of signing.
• Production Manager, who must be a Moroccan national and a PIC holder.
• Recruitment of one trainee for every 8 PIC-holding technicians from the trainee list provided by the MFC. Trainees should be registered with their respective numbers, as per Law 20-99.
• Work schedule, as specified in the circular dated 19-07-2004.
• Submission of the call sheet for each day’s filming to the MFC on the day before shooting, according to the circular dated 05-03-2015.
• Proof of payment for the Filming Permit fee, following the current scale of charges.
• Bank attestation of the turnover achieved by the foreign production in Morocco before the end of the month following the last day of shooting, based on the circular dated 29-1-2015 on the website.

Obtaining a Filming Permit for Commercials and Advertising Spot

Filming permits for commercials or advertising spots can be obtained within 3 days from the day after submitting the complete application. The application should include the following:

• Request for a filming permit, signed and stamped by the manager of the approved Moroccan executive production company, addressed to the Director of the MFC, following the circular dated 28-11-2014.
• Completed Filming Permit application form, signed and stamped by the company manager. The form can be obtained from the official website.
• Repatriation undertakings, signed and stamped by both the Moroccan company and the foreign company, as per the undertaking dated 14-04-2015 available on the website.
• Brief of the commercial or advertising spot.
• Storyboard of the commercial or advertising spot.
• Concept document of the commercial or advertising spot.
• Accreditation document, duly signed and stamped by the foreign company, supporting the Moroccan service-providing company.
• List of foreign technicians and Moroccan technicians across all specialisms, including their PIC numbers issued by the MFC, while adhering to the 25% Moroccan technicians quota specified in Law 20-99, according to the circular dated 20-12-2004.
• Contracts with the commercial or advertising spot’s Moroccan technical-artistic team, duly signed and stamped by all parties involved. These contracts must be submitted with the application, based on the circular dated 18-03-2004. Any additional contracts must be submitted to the MFC before filming commences or within 5 days of signing.
• Production Manager, who must be a Moroccan national and a PIC holder.
• Recruitment of one trainee for every 8 PIC-holding technicians from the trainee list provided by the MFC. Trainees should be registered with their respective numbers, as per Law 20-99.
• Work schedule, as outlined in the circular dated 19-07-2004.
• Submission of the call sheet for each day’s filming to the MFC on the day before shooting, in accordance with the circular dated 05-03-2015.
• Proof of payment for the Filming Permit fee, following the current scale of charges.
• Bank attestation of the turnover achieved by the foreign production in Morocco before the end of the month following the last day of shooting, based on the circular dated 29-1-2015 on the website.

Obtaining a Filming Permit for Corporate and Institutional Film

Filming permits for institutional films and corporate films can be obtained within 3 days from the day after submitting the complete application. The application should include the following:

• Request for a filming permit, signed and stamped by the manager of the approved Moroccan executive production company, addressed to the Director of the MFC, following the circular dated 28-11-2014.
• Completed Filming Permit application form, signed and stamped by the company manager. The form can be obtained from the official website.
• Repatriation undertakings, signed and stamped by both the Moroccan company and the foreign company, as per the undertaking dated 14-04-2015 available on the website.
• Brief of the institutional film or corporate film.
• Storyboard of the institutional film or corporate film.
• Concept document of the institutional film or corporate film.
• Accreditation document, duly signed and stamped by the foreign company, supporting the Moroccan service-providing company.
• List of foreign technicians.
• Contracts with the institutional film’s or corporate film’s Moroccan technical-artistic team, duly signed and stamped by all parties involved. These contracts must be submitted with the application, following the circular dated 18-03-2004. Any additional contracts must be submitted to the MFC before filming commences or within 5 days of signing.
• Work schedule, as specified in the circular dated 19-07-2004.
• Submission of the call sheet for each day’s filming to the MFC on the day before shooting, in accordance with the circular dated 05-03-2015.
• Proof of payment for the Filming Permit fee, following the current scale of charges.
• Bank attestation of the turnover achieved by the foreign production in Morocco before the end of the month following the last day of shooting, based on the circular dated 29-1-2015 on the website.
• The minimum number of technicians to be recruited during filming, holding Professional Identity Cards (PICs) issued by the MFC, is 3. Among them, at least 1 must be a chief operator, as per the circular dated 20-12-2004.

Obtaining a Filming Permit for Television Program

For television programs, a filming permit can be obtained by submitting the following documents:

• Request for a filming permit, signed and stamped by the manager of the approved Moroccan executive production company, addressed to the Director of the MFC, following the circular dated 28-11-2014.
• Completed Filming Permit application form, signed and stamped by the company manager. The form can be obtained from the official website.
• Concept document for the television program.
• Name of the broadcasting channel.
• List of foreign and Moroccan technicians, if applicable.
• Work schedule, as specified in the circular dated 19-07-2004.

Obtaining Filming Permit for Documentary and Report

Filming permits for documentaries and reports can be obtained within 21 days from the day after submission of the complete application. The application should include :

• Request for a filming permit, signed and stamped by the manager of the approved Moroccan executive production company, addressed to the Director of the MFC, following the circular dated 28-11-2014.
• Completed filming permit application form, signed and stamped by the company manager. The form is available on the official website.
• Concept document for the documentary or report.
• Name of the broadcasting channel.
• List of foreign and Moroccan technicians, if applicable.
• Work schedule as defined in the circular dated 19.07.2004.

Rates for Moroccan Filming Permits for Foreign Productions

Let’s detail the cost of obtaining Moroccan permits for different categories of international productions. This detailed list provides a clear picture of the fees charged for each type of production. These fees, expressed in Moroccan Dirhams (MAD), apply to new, additional, and replacement permits. Please note that these amounts do not include taxes:

Payment for filming permits may be made by bank transfer to the account of the Moroccan Film Center. Payment may also be made by check or cash in exchange for a receipt issued by the Financial Administrator of the Moroccan Film Center in Rabat, Morocco.

Source: https://www.ccm.ma/en/tarifs

Please keep in mind that these rates are subject to change and it’s always best to check with the official sources.

Quotas of Moroccan Technicians for Foreign Productions in Morocco

According to Law 20-99, 25% of the technicians working on foreign productions must be Moroccan and hold a valid Professional Identity Card (PIC) issued by the Moroccan Film Centre (CCM). In addition, if there is a second assistant role, it must be filled by a Moroccan technician, even if the role is doubled.

This quota applies to the following categories of production :

• Feature Film and Docu-Fiction Feature Film
• Television Films, Television Series, and Sitcoms
• Medium-Length Films, Short Films, and Fiction Documentary
• Music Video and Musical Varieties
• Commercials and Advertising Spot
• Corporate and Institutional Film

Working Conditions, Overtime, and Pay Rates for Film Crews in Morocco

Securing Additional Filming Permits in Morocco: Navigating Location Permits

Location permits, often overlooked, are also essential when filming in Morocco. These permits are required if you plan to film in special locations such as private property, national parks, historical monuments, and other significant sites. Securing these additional permits requires awareness and knowledge of local regulations.

Each location has its requirements. For example, private property requires permission from the owner, while national parks, monuments, and other publicly owned locations often require approval from local or national government agencies.

Your local production company can guide you through these processes, but remember that obtaining these permits can be a lengthy process and should be planned well in advance. Some locations may have restrictions on shooting times, noise control, and crew size. Preparing in advance and incorporating these factors into your schedule is critical to successful production in Morocco.

Useful Contacts and Resources

For more information and updates, please visit:

• Moroccan Film Centre (CCM): https://www.ccm.ma/en/

Please note that this guide is intended to provide general information and guidance. While we endeavor to ensure it is up-to-date, we can’t guarantee it, nor can we accept liability for outdated or misleading information. It is always important to check with the relevant authorities and agencies or contact us directly before making any final decisions.