Mauritania 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 Mauritania? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Mauritania
For an introduction to shooting in Mauritania 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.
Mauritania Film Locations
Mauritania is located in northwest Africa on the Atlantic ocean. It is best known for the Sahara desert, ancient towns, oasis, and beautiful deserted beach locations. Much of the landscape is dry desert. There is also some tropical forest along the Sénégal River in the south of the country.
Agricultural looks include nomadic herding of camels, sheep, and goats. Industrial locations include iron ore, gold, and copper mines, as well as offshore oil and gas facilities.
Mauritania has hosted productions including The Mauritanian (2021), Timbuktú (2014), and The Fifth Element (1997).
Film locations can be divided into the following regions: Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott-Nord, Nouakchott-Ouest, Nouakchott-Sud, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, and Trarza.
Nouakchott is the capital, the largest city, and the main entry point by air. Port de Pêche is a fishing port in Nouakchott, home to hundreds of colourful pirogues.
Chinguetti is known for its ancient libraries and Chinguetti Mosque. Other important ancient Trans-Saharan trade cities include Ouadane, Tichitt, and Oualata.
Le Ksar al Kiali is known for its crumbling stone houses.
Koumbi Saleh is a ruined medieval town.
Terjit is a beautiful desert oasis.
The Richat Structure (the Eye of the Sahara) is a 40km wide circular feature in the Sahara’s Adrar Plateau.
Ben Amera is Africa’s largest monolith rising 633m above the desert floor.
Ayoun el Atrous is known for its rocky structures.
The Tenoumer crater and Kiffa crater are spectacular desert meteor impact craters.
Banc d’Arguin National Park, in the south of the country, is a major breeding site for migratory birds, including flamingos, broad-billed sandpipers, pelicans and terns.
The Bay of Nouadhibou is one of the world’s largest ship graveyards, with over 300 abandoned ships.
The Iron Ore Train, stretching out at 3km long, is one of the world’s longest trains. The 13 hour journey passes through a vast desert landscape from the mining town of Choum to the port Nouadhibou.
Mauritania is the starting point of the Trans-West African Coastal Highway.
Mauritania Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Most of Mauritania has a Sahara desert climate characterised by very hot days and very cold nights. July to October is rainy in southern Mauritania and hot in the rest of the country. Winds moderate the temperature in the coastal region, which is arid. The cooler season runs from March to May. National parks are best filmed between December and January when conditions are clear and temperatures are milder. The harmattan, a hot, dry, and often dust-laden wind, blows from the Sahara throughout the dry season from November to March. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Mauritania is a Muslim country. Ramadan is widely observed with most services closed during this period.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Mauritania.
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, 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. Many of the locations are quite far from any major cities which can add considerably to travel costs. Our Mauritanian fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Mauritania.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Mauritania has a very small local pool of directors, videographers and stills photographers. Key crew must 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 Mauritania.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Arabic and French are the official languages.
Ethnic groups include the Bidhan (White Moors), Haratin (Black Moors), and West African groups including the Halpulaar, Soninke, Bambara and Wolof. The Imraguen fishermen use a traditional fishing technique that collaborates with dolphins to catch fish. All other talent needs to be cast abroad.
Mauritania Film Equipment
Equipment. You will need to bring in all camera, grip and lighting equipment from abroad.
Communication. Internet is slow and unreliable outside of major population centres. 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.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction is very basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Western nationals are required to have visas to enter. Visas can be obtained at your closest Mauritanian embassy or on arrival at Nouakchott airport. Our Mauritanian fixer / service producer will provide you with a Letter of Invitation to help facilitate easy customs and immigration clearance. Evidence of yellow fever vaccination is required. Contact your local Mauritanian embassy or representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Mauritania has a limited network of paved roads. All other land routes are sand tracks. Heading into the interior can be slow going and the distances are vast. Our Mauritanian film fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transport for desert travel. Some roads become impassable during the rainy season. Several international airlines service flights to Nouakchott.
Accommodation. Film friendly hotels in Nouakchott include:
Please contact us for corporate rates.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Try local cuisine such as thieboudienne, mechoui, maafe stew, harira soup, and baobab fruit juice.
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 Mauritania, please see below:
Hire Mauritania Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Mauritania, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Mauritania, 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.
