New Regulation Restructures Egypt’s Foreign Filming Process

The Cabinet approved a draft regulation setting out a new framework for foreign filming in Egypt during a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, assigning the Egypt Film Commission full authority over all procedures related to international productions. The commission, which operates under the Egyptian Media Production City Company, was designated as the sole body responsible for organizing and coordinating approvals for foreign filming across the country.

Under the regulation, all permits and authorisations for foreign productions will be processed exclusively through a unified digital window managed by the commission. State entities working with the commission will be required to connect their services electronically to the platform in order to centralise procedures and streamline coordination. The new system must also comply with the technical, security, and cybersecurity standards set by the relevant authorities.

The commission was tasked with promoting Egypt as a destination for international productions and coordinating script reviews, filming permits, and other approvals. Its remit will include facilitating the entry and exit of filming equipment in coordination with the Customs Authority, monitoring the operations of foreign production companies, providing logistical support, and working to resolve obstacles that may arise during filming.

The regulation mandates coordination between the commission and government ministries, governorates, and other state bodies to supply equipment, services, and personnel required for production work. Approved filming locations will be published on the digital window, along with legal and regulatory information needed by foreign companies. The commission may also nominate local production companies for international projects and recommend Egyptian technical crews when required.

Additional responsibilities include accompanying foreign production teams at airports and ports, coordinating incentives aimed at attracting major film projects, and establishing joint protocols with state entities that specify responsibilities and set service pricing. All ministries and government bodies will be obligated to work with the commission to facilitate procedures under the new foreign filming framework.