General information about TV production in Arkhangelsk

Arkhangelsk is a historic city located in the far north of Russia, on the banks of the Northern Dvina River. Arkhangelsk is 1h 40min flight from Moscow and 1h 20min flight from Saint-Petersburg. It was founded in 1584 as a major seaport and trading center, serving as a gateway to the Arctic and the northern regions of Russia. The city quickly became an important center for trade with Western Europe, and its merchants played a significant role in Russia’s economy and cultural exchange.

During World War II, Arkhangelsk was a vital port for the delivery of supplies to Soviet forces fighting against Nazi Germany. The city played a significant role in the Arctic Convoys, which transported essential war materials from Britain and the United States to Soviet ports.

Today, Arkhangelsk remains an important economic and cultural center in the far north of Russia. It is home to several museums and cultural landmarks, including the Arkhangelsk Regional Museum of Local Lore, the Museum of Wooden Architecture, and the Northern Maritime Museum. The city’s rich history and unique location make it a fascinating destination for tourists and a vital hub for trade and transportation in the Arctic region.

WWT filming of Flight of the swans project in russia

Key locations for filming
in Arkhangelsk region

The historical center of the city was built in XVII – XX cc. mainly by wealthy merchant and peasant families. Some of their houses have been preserved to this day around the pedestrian street of Chumbarova-Luchinskogo, as well as in historical Solombala district located on an island, home of the shipyards. The most notable of them are the Antonov’s homestead, the Dmitrievsky hydrotherapy clinic, the Chudinov’s homestead and the so-called ‘Marfa’s house’.

For filming Arkhangelsk’s everyday life we recommend the embankment of the Northern Dvina, which also appears to be the main avenue in the city. Here you will find the well-restored Surkov’ mansion with carvings and painting, the Lutheran church that nowadays houses the Arkhangelsk Philharmonic and also the prominent building of the Gostiny Dvor where in the XVII c. shopping arcades were located.
filming in arkhangelsk
wildlife filming in remote regions of russia
filming in the arctic region of russia
Filming in Arkhangelsk region for WWF

Another key location in Arkhangelsk is the Malye Karely wooden architecture museum. Named after a local ethnic group ‘korely’, this architectural ensemble stays in the middle of the dense northern forest and consists of several izbas, a mill, and two wooden churches. It is a perfect site for filming traditional activities. FilmSPbTV can provide you permits for filming in Arkhangelsk inside of the izbas and use authentic artifacts of the time.

The Russian North is famous for its peculiar painting style, bone and wood carvings, and wooden handicrafts. Our local fixers can help you in filming at the Margaritinskaya fair. It’s the largest fair of the region where you can find all the handicraft goods. Also on this fair people perform traditional activities. Singing is a popular one: traditional Pomor choirs perform a very special kind of music characteristic for this region of Russia. Some areas require permits for visiting the “border zone areas”.

Our fixers can help you in filming the international open-air theatre festival. It attracts artists from all over the world. For six summer days the streets of the northern city enjoying a unique atmosphere of a carnival.

equipment for rental in russia

Building up a TV production in Arkhangelsk

At FilmspbTV, we are excited to be organizing a TV production in the northern city of Arkhangelsk in Russia. Our experienced scouts know the area inside and out, having executed several complex projects in the region with great success. We’re thrilled to bring our expertise to Arkhangelsk, where we plan to capture the unique culture and natural beauty of this Arctic city on film.

Organizing a production in a remote location like Arkhangelsk can be challenging, but our team is well-equipped to handle the logistics. We’ll need to bring all the filming equipment and crew from Saint Petersburg or Moscow, which requires careful coordination and planning. We’ll work closely with local suppliers to ensure that we have everything we need for a successful production.

We’re particularly excited about the opportunity to showcase Arkhangelsk’s rich history and stunning landscapes on film. With its picturesque rivers, forests, and Arctic coastlines, this city is truly one-of-a-kind. We plan to showcase the local architecture, museums, and cultural landmarks to give viewers a comprehensive look at this fascinating region.

As a production company, we’re committed to bringing the best possible production values to our work. That means working with the latest equipment and hiring the best crew for the job. We’re confident that our team of skilled professionals will be able to deliver a high-quality production that showcases the best of Arkhangelsk. We can’t wait to get started!

You can find the information about visas and customs procedures required for filming in Russia here.