Suriname 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 Suriname? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Suriname
For an introduction to shooting in Suriname 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.
Suriname Film Locations
Suriname is a small country located on the northeastern coast of South America. The northern, lowland coastal area is cultivated. The southern area consists of Amazon rainforest and sparsely inhabited savanna.
Agricultural film locations include rice paddies and banana plantations. Resource extraction including oil, gold, and hardwood lumber are major industries.
Suriname has hosted several Dutch film productions.
Film locations can be divided into the following districts: Paramaribo, Wanica, Nickerie, Coronie, Saramacca, Commewijne, Para, Marowijne, Brokopondo, and Sipaliwini.
Located on the Caribbean coast Paramaribo is the capital and main entry point by air. It is best known for its Dutch colonial architecture. A melting pot of cultures you can find St Peter and St Paul Cathedral, Nevah Shalom Synagogue, Mosque Keizerstraat, and Arya Dewaker Hindu temple. Other film locations of note include the Presidential Palace, Palmtree Garden, Maroon Market, and Fort Zeelandia.
Brownsberg Nature Park is known for its rich birdlife, howler monkeys, jaguars and armadillos.
Galibi Coppename Nature Reserve is known for the giant leatherback sea turtles that come to lay their eggs.
Central Suriname Nature Reserve is a pristine tropical rainforest ecosystem known for its granite monoliths, Raleigh Falls, and unique biodiversity.
Commewijne is known for its abandoned plantations.
Suriname Film Location Permits
Permission to film is requested on the local level, often in person, with the owners of the location. So for instance if you would like to film in a Maroon or Amerindian village our Surinamese fixer would need to travel in person, prior to filming, to negotiate the terms of permission to film.
Allow more lead time for larger footprint shoots, as well as shoots involving filming in culturally and environmentally sensitive locations. Drone filming is permitted but restricted in areas close to towns and airstrips. Please contact us for shoot specific information.
When To Shoot?
Suriname has a humid, tropical climate with long daylight hours all year round. Inland regions are often hotter and more humid than areas on the coast which are cooler and dryer. The short wet season runs from December to January. The first dry season runs from February to March. The long wet season runs from April to August. The second dry season runs from September to November. The dry seasons are the best times to film for weather. Suriname lies outside of the Caribbean hurricane zone. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Pagara Estafette celebrations ring in the new year.
Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam are the largest faiths. There are also traditional religions such as Winti, and Kejawèn. Holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Suriname.
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. The favorable exchange rate means that your currency goes far in Suriname. Locations, local talent and support crew are inexpensive but since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Our Surinamese fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. There are no tax incentives for feature films or commercials in Suriname.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Suriname has a very small pool of local directors, videographers and stills photographers. Key crew should be brought in from abroad.
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 Suriname.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable. Casting facilities are undeveloped in Suriname so street casting is often required.
While Dutch is the official language, an English-based creole language is a widely spoken.
Suriname has a diverse, multicultural society. Most Surinamese are of East Indian, Maroon, Creole, and Javanese decent. The main groups living in the interior are the Maroons who are of African descent, and Amerindians (Akurio, Arawak, Kaliña, Mawayana, Sikiana, Tiriyó, Waiwai, Warao, and Wayana).
Suriname Film Equipment
Equipment needs to be brought in from abroad. A film permit is required to import equipment and avoid paying customs duties.
Communication. Telephone and internet services are limited to major population centres.
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 are very limited in Suriname.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. No post production facilities exist at present.
Visas & Work Permits
Crews travelling on passports from most western countries can obtain Tourist Cards on arrival for stays of up to 90 days. Work permits are not required to film in Suriname. US passport holders looking for more information, see here.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation. The road system is quite undeveloped. It’s possible to get around the more populated north by road however heading inland is best done by boat or plane. The capital Paramaribo is serviced internationally by several international airlines.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Paramaribo include:
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. See here for vaccinations required for Suriname.
Down Time. Local dishes are heavily influenced by Native Amerindian, European, Afro-Surinamese, Chinese, Hindustani, Javanese, and Lebanese flavours. Traditional dishes of note include Goedangan, Bojo cake, Moksi-alesi, and Pom.
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 Suriname, please see below:
Hire Suriname Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Suriname, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Suriname, 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.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
