WHAT OUR LOCAL FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FILMING IN KUWAIT

Kuwait is a small emirate nestled between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in a section of one of the driest, least-hospitable deserts on Earth. Its shore, however, includes Kuwait Bay, a deep harbour on the Persian Gulf.

The climate is desert, tempered somewhat in the coastal regions by the warm waters of the gulf. If there is enough rainfall, the desert turns green from mid-March to the end of April. The summer (April to September) is extremely hot and dry. The shamal, a northwesterly wind common during June and July, causes dramatic sandstorms. The winter season (November to February) is cool with some precipitation. Winter is a far better time to film in Kuwait in terms of weather. For monthly weather statistics please se

Arabic is the official language of Kuwait, but English is widely spoken. It is used in business and is a compulsory second language in schools. Among the non-Kuwaiti population, many people speak Farsi, the official language of Iran, or Urdu, the official language of Pakistan.

The Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) is the national currency of the State of Kuwait. Exchanging US dollars for KWD is a relatively simple process. If exchanging your cash money for Dinars, you can find competitive rates with local money changers, who will accept USD, British Pound Stirling, and Euros for exchange into the national currency. Additionally, credit cards are widely accepted in the country and there are ATMs connected to international networks found throughout the territory.

Kuwait is a flat, low-lying country known for its landscape of deserts, beaches, and uninhabited islands. It is a very small country where most locations can be reached within a one hour drive from the capital.

Much of Kuwait is covered in oil industry facilities. The Burgan Field is one of the largest oil fields in the world.

Film locations can be divided into the following governorates: Ahmadi, Al-Asimah, Farwaniya, Hawalli, Jahra, and Mubarak Al-Kabeer.

Kuwait City is the capital, the largest city, and main production centre. Boasting a modern skyline film locations of interest include the Grand Mosque, Bayan Palace, Sief Palace, Al Salam Palace, Kuwait Towers, Al Hamra Tower, Liberation Tower, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre, Kuwait National Museum, Scientific Center, Souq Al-Mubarakiya, 360 Mall, and Avenues Mall. The House of Mirrors is an unusual film location. Al Shaheed Park offers impressive shots of the city skyline. The Mushroom Water Towers make for an interesting retro sci-fi location. Kuwait Entertainment City has a roller coaster. Flow House is a water park. The city also has an ice skating rink available for filming. Sulabiya is home to the world’s largest tire graveyard.

The 1990 Invasion of Kuwait and following Gulf War has several locations of interest including the Highway of Death, Al-Qurain Martyrs Museum, and Failaka Island war ruins. The retreating Iraqi army set fire to over 650 oil wells.