Filming in the White Desert and Western Desert
Egypt's Western Desert looks like another planet: white chalk towers, black volcanic hills, golden dunes and lonely oases. It is also remote, so the logistics make or break the shoot. Our crews have run desert units here for international productions.
What the desert gives you
The White Desert near Farafra has wind-carved chalk formations that look snow-white at sunrise and glow at sunset. The Black Desert has dark volcanic hills on golden sand. Bahariya and Farafra oases have palm groves, springs and villages, and further west the Great Sand Sea has huge dunes. The White Desert is a protected area with its own rules.
How we run a desert unit
Desert days start before sunrise and finish after sunset, often far from any town. We move the crew in 4x4 convoys with experienced desert drivers, set up camps or base in the oasis, and bring generators, fuel, water, shade, catering and medical cover. Equipment is protected from sand and heat throughout.
Approvals
Desert areas need security approvals on top of the Egypt Film Commission permit, and protected areas have their own permissions. We apply for each one and plan routes the authorities approve.
Shot in Egypt by Filmedia
From first email to wrap.
- 01You send
The brief
Script or treatment, dates, the look you want and crew size. We reply within 24 hours with location ideas and a first budget range.
- 02We scout
Recce & budget
Photo and video recce of the shortlist, then we lock schedule and budget with you, line by line.
- 03We clear
Permits & customs
We file the filming permits, often about a week once prep and first approvals are in, clear your equipment through customs and hire crew and fixers.
- 04We shoot
Shoot & wrap
Daily reports to your office during the shoot. After wrap we close permits, returns and paperwork.
Have dates and a script? Send them today. We reply within 24 hours.
Send your brief ↗FAQ
How far is the White Desert from Cairo?+
It is a long drive of several hours through Bahariya oasis, so most crews travel the day before and stay in the oasis or in desert camps.
Can a large crew work in the White Desert?+
Yes, with careful planning. We have run large desert units with convoys, camps, power and catering.
When is the best time to film in the desert?+
October to April. Summer is extremely hot, and spring can bring dusty khamsin winds.
Shoot something like this in Egypt.
We reply within 24 hours. Permits are often ready in about a week once prep and first approvals are in.
Your nextshoot inEgypt.
Filmedia Production LLC · Dokki, Giza, Egypt
Also producing in Dubai