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AUTHORIZATION FOR FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY

AT SHRINES UNDER THE CARE OF THE FRANCISCAN  CUSTODY OF THE HOLY LAND

1. Submission Requirements

Requests for filming and photography projects must be submitted to the Christian Information Center (CIC) at least 7 working days prior to the proposed filming date.

The application must include:

  • A description of the project, including the purpose of the filming, relevant details of the shoot, and distribution plans.
  • If necessary, a cover letter can be attached to further clarify the purpose and intended use of the footage. 

2. Approval Process

Submission of an application does not guarantee approval.

If the Director grants approval, a written permission will be provided. This document must be presented to the Friar in charge at each Shrine where filming/photography is permitted.

The Friar will specify the areas where filming/photography is allowed.

Approved permits can be collected at the CIC desk between 9:00 and 15:30, Monday through Friday.


3. Confirmation of Arrangements

Once the permit is granted, the contact person for the project should contact the Friar in charge of the Shrine one to three days prior to the approved date, to confirm the schedule, details, and any other necessary arrangements.

4. FEES

A non-refundable fee of $100 is to be paid to the Christian Information Center (receipt will be provided upon payment). Payment can be by cash or bank transfer.

5. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HOLY SEPULCHER & BASILICA OF THE NATIVITY

For filming/photography at the Holy Sepulcher (Jerusalem) and the Basilica of the Nativity (Bethlehem), in addition to the permission of the CIC, separate authorization is required from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate.

Each Patriarchate requires an additional fee.

Permits are not valid unless you have the approval of all three Entities.

6. RESPECT FOR SACRED SPACES

 The Holy Shrines are places of silence and prayer and should not be treated as museums,  tourist attractions, or for any other secular reason.

Modest dress is mandatory.

7. Filming/Photography Restrictions

 Filming during religious services and of pilgrims is prohibited.

If you wish to film/photograph your own group, you must reserve a time for Mass or prayer through the Franciscan Pilgrims’ Office (fpo@cicts.org) If you are with an agency, the agency organizing the group should facilitate the reservation.

If you are not part of a group, you may be asked to make a reservation at the FPO, according to the needs of your request and the discretion of the Director.


8. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES:

The following activities are strictly prohibited:

Filming without a permit;

Reading texts or excerpts, except with prior permission;

Conducting interviews, except with prior consent.

Note: These restrictions do not apply if you have a reservation for Mass or prayer through the Franciscan Pilgrims’ Office. In such cases, filming is only allowed during the designated time and within the specified area.

In some cases, reading from Biblical texts or conducting interviews may be allowed, but this must be discussed with the person responsible for issuing permits.

Filming of individuals who are at the sanctuary for prayer is strictly prohibited.


9. Copy of Audiovisual Material

 The CIC reserves the right to request a copy of any audiovisual material recorded in the shrine.

10. Use of 360° Cameras & Drones

The use of 360° cameras and drones is permitted only with prior authorization and in compliance with national law.

Filming with a drone is prohibited by law in Jerusalem. You may be required to submit a copy of your drone permit.


11. Revocation of Permissions

The Christian Information Center reserves the right to revoke any permissions granted if the terms and conditions outlined above are not adhered to.
Unauthorized use of footage or images for purposes other than those specified in the original request and approved by the Director may result in legal action.
 

Useful contacts: 


The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Road
P.O.B. 19632, Jerusalem
Tel: +972 (0)2-6274941
Fax: +972 (0)2-6282048
E-mail: secretariat@jerusalem-patriarchate.info

The Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate
Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate Road
P.O.B. 14001, Jerusalem
Tel: +972 (0)2-6282331
Fax: +972 (0)2-6264861
E-mail: patriarchateofjerusalem@yahoo.com 

Complete the application form below to request permission for filming.


Please note that the submission of an application is not a guarantee of approval.

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Production details

Provide a detailed description of the project / purpose of the shoot: we ask you to be specific.
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Allowed types: txt rtf odf pdf doc docx ppt pptx tar zip.
I am aware of the following conditions and fees:
  1. Filming and photography is permitted only at the shrines indicated on the attached Permission.
  2. For films, a detailed written declaration is required. Such declaration shall include a description of the film and the storyline and a transcript of the scenes in the holy shrines.
  3. For films, a detailed written declaration is required. Such declaration shall include a description of the film and the storyline and a transcript of the scenes in the holy shrines.
  4. For the Holy Sepulcher (Jerusalem) and the Basilica of the Nativity (Bethlehem), in addition to the permission of the CIC, separate permissions must be obtained from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Armenian Patriarchate; a separate fee applies for each of these Patriarchate. Deposits are non-refundable.
  5. It is not permitted to film inside archaeological sites under the jurisdiction of the Custody of the Holy Land
  6. The Holy Shrines are places of silence and prayer; they may not be treated as museums or tourist amenities, or for any other secular reason. Modest dress is a requirement.
  7. Filming during religious services and of pilgrims is not allowed. Those who wish to film their own pilgrim group must have a reservation for Mass or time of prayer through the Franciscan Pilgrims’ Office fpo@cicts.org The agency arranging for the group should facilitate this as well. If you are not with a group, but are requesting to film at a sanctuary, you may be asked to make a reservation as well according to your request, at the discretion of the director. See below for more indications.
  8. The following are strictly forbidden - Filming scenes involving people; the reading of texts or extracts; conducting interviews. [This does not apply if you have a Mass or prayer booking through the Franciscan Pilgrims Office, but filming is only allowed during the specified time and in the designated area of your booking.] It is not permitted to film others who are at the sanctuary for prayer.
  9. The CIC has the right to request a copy of any audiovisual material made in the shrines. 
  10. The use of 360° cameras and drones is strictly forbidden.
  11. It is important that productions for which photos or footage is used in no way undermine or go against the Catholic Church, its mission and its teachings.
  12. The Christian Information Center reserves the right at any time to cancel permissions issued because of non-compliance with the above stated regulations. The use of footage or pictures for purposes other than given in your original request and approved by the Director may result in legal action.