Fiji Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Fiji? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Fiji
For an introduction to shooting in Fiji see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.
Fiji Film Locations
Fiji is a Melanesian island nation in the South Pacific. It is located 2000km (1300mi) northeast of New Zealand. The country consists of an archipelago of about 333 islands.
Fiji offers a variety of film locations including the palm-lined white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, coral reefs, surf breaks, lush rainforests, pine forests, rolling hills, rivers, waterfalls, caves, unique rock formations, private island resorts, luxury villas, and impressive colonial architecture.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of sugarcane, coconuts, rice, sweet potatoes, bananas, ginger, and kava. Fiji is also known for its cattle ranches and shrimp farms.
Fiji has hosted productions such as Fantasy Island (2020), Survivor: Winners at War (2020), Survivor: Island of the Idols (2019), Survivor: Edge of Extinction (2019), Adrift (2018), Survivor: David vs. Goliath (2018), Survivor: Ghost Island (2017), Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers (2017), Survivor: Game Changers (2017), and Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X (2016), Survivor: Fiji (2007), Cast Away (2000), Contact (1997), and Blue Lagoon (1980).
Film locations can be divided into the following island groups:
Viti Levu
Viti Levu is the largest island.
Located on the east side of the island, Suva is the capital. The Suva side of the island has a wet climate. The landscape features lush rain forest, jungle, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Film locations of note include the Grand Pacific Hotel, Albert Park, Colo-I-Suva Forest Park, and Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Nadi is located on the west of Viti Levu. This side of the island has a dry climate featuring rolling grass covered hills, pine forests, mountains and many of the country’s beaches, and resorts. Film locations of note include Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Hindu temple, Koroyanitu National Park, and the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Mount Tomanivi is the highest peak in Fiji.
Adrift (2018) filmed in Rakiraki and Pacific Harbour.
Nearby paradise islands of note include Beqa, Vatulele, and Royal Davui.
Vanua Levu
The mountainous and palm covered Vanua Levu is the second largest island.
Rainbow Reef is a nearby popular dive site.
Paradise islands of note include Matangi, Vatu Vara, and Qamea.
Survivor: Fiji (2007) filmed on Vanua Levu.
Taveuni
Located near Vanua Levu, Taveuni is Fiji’s third largest island. Tavoro Falls in Bouma National Heritage Park is a beautiful film location. Fantasy Island (2020) filmed in Taveuni island.
Kadavu
Kadavu is an island located in the south of Fiji. The island is surrounded by the Great Astrolabe Reef, which is a popular spot for underwater photography.
Kokomo is a nearby private islands also located within the reef.
Yasawa Islands
The Yasawa Islands are a chain of islands in northwestern Fiji. Contact (1997) filmed the Yasawa Islands.
The Blue Lagoon (1980) filmed on Turtle Island, which is now a private island resort.
Mamanuca Islands
Mamanuca Islands are a group of about 20 tiny islands located west of Viti Levu. They are a popular destination for tropical paradise island locations of palm-lined white sand beaches with turquoise waters.
Cast Away (2000) filmed on the uninhabited island of Monuriki.
Other paradise islands of note include Wadigi, Vomo, and Malolo.
Reef surfing locations of note include Cloudbreak, Desparations, Restaurants, Wilkes Passage, and Lighthouse.
Several series of the TV show Survivor filmed on the Mamanuca Islands including Survivor: Winners at War (2020), Survivor: Island of the Idols (2019), Survivor: Edge of Extinction (2019), Survivor: David vs. Goliath (2018), Survivor: Ghost Island (2017), Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers (2017), Survivor: Game Changers (2017), and Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X (2016).
Lomaiviti Islands
The Lomaiviti archipelago are a group of islands located between Viti Levu and the Lau Islands.
Ovalau is the main island.
Wakaya and Toberua are beautiful private islands.
Lau Islands
The Lau Islands are an archipelago of about 100 small islands in east of the country.
Laucala is a private island film location.
Rotuma
Rotuma is a remote volcanic island located in the north of Fiji. Geographically and culturally speaking, unlike the rest of Melanesian Fiji, Rotuma is a Polynesian island.
Fiji Film Location Permits
Fiji film location permits are required for filming at any public locations in Fiji. Island-wide permits for public locations are possible. Permits not requiring exclusive use of property are quick and easy to obtain. Fiji is a very film-friendly country so most public locations are free. Allow at least 7 days to permit locations that require street closures, builds or other exclusive use of public space. Allow at least 14 days to permit aerial shoots or filming in national parks. Please contact us for location specific information.
Visiting productions are required to have a Fiji Film Permit. See the below “Visas and Work Permits” section for more information.
When To Shoot?
Fiji offers year round long sunny shoot days. November to April is the summer wet season which can be humid and very hot. During this time the water is at its warmest and the sea is calm. May to October is the winter dry season and a good time to film if you’re looking for best underwater visibility and the largest surf breaks. The in-between periods of April / May and October / November are the best months to film for pleasant tropical island conditions. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
• The Outrigger International Competition take place in November in Nadi.
• The Bula Festival celebrates the islands heritage in July.
• Fiji’s Indian community celebrate Diwali (The Festival of Lights) in October.
Christianity is the largest religion. There is also a large Hindu community.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Fiji.
Unique Local Stories
Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.
If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.
If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. Locations and talent costs are inexpensive. Fiji also has a very generous rebate program that a wide variety of projects may be eligible for. That said, the film infrastructure is still relatively undeveloped, so some key crew and equipment may need to be brought in from abroad, which will add to the cost of filming. Travel to remote islands can also add considerably to the cost of shooting. Fortunately most paradise island looks can be found on the main island. Our Fijian fixer / service producer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. Fiji offers a very generous rebate of 47% on qualifying production expenditure. The rebate is available for feature films, TV series and even commercial projects. By international standards, minimal spend requirements are very low and qualifying spend includes a wide variety of line items. Fiji is open for business. See here for more details.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Fiji has a very small pool of local directors, videographers and stills photographers. Likewise, Fiji has a small pool of internationally experienced crew. Should you require additional crew Australia and New Zealand offer extensive options. Brisbane and Auckland are the closest major production centres, a 3.5hr flight away.
Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Fiji.
Talent. Day rates and buyouts are negotiated on a personal basis. Casting facilities are undeveloped.
Fijian and English is widely spoken.
Ethnic Fijians are a Melanesian people. Fiji also has a large community of Indo-Fijians and a small minority of Caucasian looks also available. Other looks can be easily cast in Australia (Brisbane) and New Zealand (Auckland).
Fiji Film Equipment
Equipment. Fiji has some standard grip, lighting and camera equipment available locally including RED cameras, jibs, and larger lights. Fiji does not charge a duty on productions bringing in their own equipment. Fiji is not an ATA carnet country. Our Fijian fixer / service producer can arrange hassle-free customs clearance. Please send us a full equipment list and allow at least 7 days to organise paperwork.
Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.
Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.
For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction. Mainly local looks available. Some good local production designers. Good set construction crews.
Studios and Backlots. None exist at present but can improvise with warehouse space.
Post Production. None available locally. Australia and New Zealand are the closest major production centres.
Visas & Work Permits
Visiting productions are required to have a Fiji Film Permit. Our Fijian fixer / service producer will require a project synopsis, company details, visiting crew passport information, dates, and other important project information. The fixer / producer will include a supporting letter and submit the application. 2 days is usually enough for processing once all paperwork is submitted. This is a single permit that is valid for the entirety of the shoot. The Fiji Film Permit will already be registered with immigration officials when you arrive.
Most passport holders can enter visa-free. Crews coming in for short projects such as commercials and travel documentaries just tick the film / cinema box on the arrival card at the port of entry. Crews coming in to work on TV series and feature films will need short term work permits. In these cases usually a Two Week Visitors Visa is issued and then an application is made for the short term work permit.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Several international carriers service regular direct flights to Nadi International Airport and Nausori International Airport, both located on Viti Levu. Fiji is 4 hours flight from Australia, 3 hours from New Zealand, and 10 hours from Los Angeles. Domestic travel is best achieved by road, boat and plane.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Fiji include:
Shangri La
Sheraton Fiji
Outrigger
Tavarau
Toberua
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Drink kava with the locals. Try some delicious Indo-Fijian cuisine.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Fiji, please see below:
Hire Fiji Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Fiji, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Fiji, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.
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