Comoros 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 the Comoros? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in the Comoros
For an introduction to shooting in the Comoros 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.
Comoros Film Locations
The Comoros is an African island archipelago in the Indian Ocean made up of 3 islands: Ngazidja (Grande Comore), Mwali (Mohéli), and Nzwani (Anjouan). The nearby island of Maore (Mayotte) is claimed by Comoros, but administered by France.
The islands are volcanic and surrounded by coral reefs making for beautiful paradise-island film locations including dhows sailing by palm-lined white sand beaches, tropical mountain landscapes, and waterfalls.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of nutmeg, vanilla, cloves, pepper, jasmine, perfume essences (ylang-ylang), and copra.
Life on Earth (1979-) filmed in the Comoros.
Film locations can be divided into three islands:
Ngazidja (Grande Comore)
Grande Comore is the largest island in the Comoros.
Moroni is the capital and main entry point by air. Film locations of note include the photogenic Ancienne Mosquee du Vendredi (Old Friday Mosque), Zawiyani ya Salmata Hamissi Mosque, Volo Volo market, and the winding alleys of the Medina section.
Grande Comore paradise beaches of note include Mitsamiouli beach, Itsandra beach, and Chomoni beach.
Mount Karthala is an active volcano and the highest point of the Comoros.
Lac Salé is a beautiful salt water crater lake location.
The Comoros offer some great underwater photography options. Vailheu Bank and Massiwa wreck are two dive sites of note.
Mwali (Mohéli)
Mohéli is the smallest of the islands.
It known for its natural beauty with beautiful beaches, baobab trees, and range of fauna such as Livingstone bats, whales, and nesting turtles.
Itsamia is a great place to photograph green turtles eggs hatching.
Moheli Marine Park is a good place to photograph sharks, humpback whales, and coelecanths.
Nzwani (Anjouan)
Anjouan is known for its waterfalls and lush vegetation.
The town of Mutsamudu is built in the Shirazi/Swahili style.
Domoni is a city of interest to filmmakers and photographers.
Comoros Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. It is illegal to photography of government buildings, military installations, and other key infrastructure such as ports, train stations, and airports, without the permission of relevant authorities. You could be fined, have your photographic equipment confiscated, and risk arrest. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
The islands have a tropical climate with temperatures cooler and wetter at higher altitudes. The hot and humid wet season, which experiences cyclones, runs from November to April. The cool, dry season from May and October is the best time to film for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
The Comoros is a predominately Muslim nation where holidays such as Ramadan are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in the Comoros.
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. Because the Comoros are so isolated, prices of imported goods tend to be more expensive than the rest of East Africa. Our Comoran 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 the Comoros.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Comorian, French, and Arabic are the official languages. The Comoros has a very small local pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Key crew needs to 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 the Comoros.
Talent day rates and buyouts are reasonable and negotiated on a personal level.
The official languages are French, Arabic, and Comorian.
The Comoran people are a blend of African, Arab and Malayo-Indonesian. Other talent looks need to be cast abroad.
Comoros Film Equipment
Equipment. You will need to bring in all camera, grip and lighting equipment from abroad.
Communications. Internet slow and unreliable.
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 is very basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
All nationals are required to have visas to enter the Comoros. Visas are available on arrival. Contact your closest Comoran embassy or representative for more information. US passport holders see here for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure is quite basic. Most roads are paved but narrow and slow going, particularly during the wet season. Our Comoran fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transportation. Getting between islands is best done by boat or plane. Services are limited so book ahead. Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport is located on Grande Comore. Several international airlines service flights to the Comoros.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in the Comoros:
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. Explore Moroni.
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 the Comoros, please see below:
Hire Comoros Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in the Comoros, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in the Comoros, 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.
