Scandinavia has some of the highest production day rates in the world. Bulgaria offers a direct alternative - comparable technical quality, dramatically lower costs, and a location palette that can match or extend anything available in Sweden, Norway, or Denmark. Push Pull Production works with Scandinavian advertising agencies and production companies to deliver full-service shoots from Sofia, handling everything from location scouting to final wrap.
Why Scandinavian Productions Choose Bulgaria
For Scandinavian brands and agencies, the cost differential is significant - crew, location, and equipment budgets in Bulgaria run at 25-35% of equivalent costs in Stockholm, Oslo, or Copenhagen. Bulgaria also offers something Scandinavia cannot: Mediterranean coastline, ancient ruins, and year-round filming weather. The Rila and Pirin mountain ranges provide alpine scenery comparable to Norway, while the Black Sea coast and Plovdiv's old town open up entirely different visual possibilities. Direct flights connect Sofia with Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Oslo.
What We Provide
Push Pull provides line producing, location scouting and permitting, full local crew, equipment, casting, transport, and logistics. We are experienced working with the clean aesthetic and precise brief culture that characterises Scandinavian advertising, and we understand the pace and quality expectations of Nordic directors and DPs.
Planning a shoot in Bulgaria from Sweden, Norway, or Denmark? Send us your brief and we will respond within 48 hours.
Explore Our Locations
Natural Locations - mountains, forests and Black Sea coastline. Backlots - New York, London, Rome and Middle East standing sets. Studios - sound stages and production facilities in Sofia. City - Sofia and Plovdiv urban locations. View all locations.
Extended Shooting Territory - North Greece and North Macedonia
Push Pull's production territory extends beyond Bulgaria. We service shoots in northern Greece - including the Halkidiki peninsula and Thessaloniki - as well as North Macedonia, all under the same team and the same logistics chain. For productions wanting Aegean beaches, traditional Greek fishing villages, or the dramatic Macedonian highlands, we handle scouting, permitting and crew in all three countries without the need for a second service company. One brief, one point of contact, three countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cheaper is Bulgaria compared to Sweden, Norway or Denmark for film production?
Day rates for crew and equipment in Bulgaria run at 25-35% of Scandinavian equivalents. A budget sufficient for three shoot days in Stockholm or Oslo typically covers a full week in Sofia at the same technical standard.
Are there direct flights from Scandinavia to Sofia?
Direct and one-stop flights connect Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen with Sofia, with total travel times of 3-4 hours. Multiple daily services make same-day recce travel practical.
Does Bulgaria offer the same visual aesthetic as Scandinavia?
Bulgaria offers everything Scandinavia has plus more - similar alpine mountain terrain in the Rila and Pirin ranges, dense forests and clean lakes, plus Mediterranean coastline, ancient cities and open plains that Scandinavia cannot provide. All within three hours of Sofia.
Is English spoken on Bulgarian film sets?
Yes. The Bulgarian film industry is accustomed to working with Scandinavian directors and producers in English. Push Pull provides English-speaking production management throughout.
Can Push Pull film outside Bulgaria?
Yes. Push Pull's production territory covers northern Greece - including the Halkidiki peninsula and Thessaloniki - and North Macedonia, with its alpine lakes, Ottoman bazaars and Skopje's dramatic urban contrast. Productions can combine multiple countries in a single shooting schedule, all managed by one team. One brief, three countries.
What film production incentives does Bulgaria offer?
Bulgaria offers a 25% cash rebate on eligible local production expenditures, administered by the Bulgarian National Film Centre (NFC). The rebate applies to feature films, high-end TV series, documentaries and animation. Qualifying spend includes crew salaries, equipment rentals, location fees and post-production costs. Minimum qualifying spend is EUR 250,000, with a maximum rebate of EUR 5 million per project. International productions apply through a registered Bulgarian service company - Push Pull Production is registered and handles the application process as part of the production service.
Which Scandinavian production companies has Push Pull worked with?
Push Pull has worked with Always Frank, Giants and Toys, RIO, Tangrystan, Bacon Film and Bleck Film, among others. We are experienced working with the Scandinavian production market and understand the aesthetic and organisational standards Nordic directors and producers expect on set.
