Chad 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 Chad? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Chad
For an introduction to shooting in Chad 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.
Chad Film Locations
Chad is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is known for its striking desert locations, lakes, national parks, and diverse cultures.
Agricultural film locations include fields of cotton, corn, sugarcane, as well as cattle ranches. Industrial locations include oil industry facilities.
Chad has hosted productions such as Lingui (2021).
Regions of Chad include: Batha, Chari-Baguirmi, Hadjer-Lamis, Wadi Fira, Bahr el Gazel, Borkou, Ennedi-Est, Ennedi-Ouest, Guéra, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi Est, Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddaï, Salamat, Sila, Tandjilé, Tibesti, and Ville de N’Djamena.
Film locations of note can be divided into the following regions:
Northern & Central Chad
This region of Chad is known for the Sahara desert and arid landscapes including the Tibesti Mountains range with its canyons, crags and camel races.
The Ounianga Lakes include 18 interconnected lakes in the Sahara desert with waters that range in colour from blue to green to red.
Volcanoes of note include Tarso Toh and Tarso Toussidé.
Emi Koussi is Chad’s highest peak.
Trou au Natron is an extinct volcanic caldera.
Guelta d’Archei is an oasis in the Sahara desert where each day hundreds of camels are herded to drink.
The unique towering rock structures and natural stone arches of the Ennedi desert make for a spectacular film location.
The ancient city of Abéché is has remnants of palaces, mosques, and the tombs of former sultans.
Southern Chad
The southern region is a fertile Sudanian Savanna zone.
N’Djamena is the capital, the largest city, and the main entry point by air. Locations of note in N’Djamena include the Grande Mosquée, National Assembly, National Museum, Central Market, and N’Djamena International Airport.
Lake Chad is the largest wetland in Chad home to hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birdlife.
Zakouma National Park has lions, elephants and giraffes.
Other national parks of note include Aouk National Park, Manda National Park, and Goz-Beida National Park.
Chad Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. All photography requires a permit issued by the Ministry of Public Security and Immigration. Unauthorised photography of military sites, official buildings, airports, and public monuments is illegal. Penalties may include fines, arrest and confiscation of film equipment. Please contact us for more information.
When To Shoot?
The Sahara desert region has limited rain throughout the year. The central zone rainy season runs from June to September. The tropical southern region rainy season runs from May to October. Many roads become impassible during the rainy season. The dry season runs from November to May. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Filming wildlife in Zakouma National Park is best in March / April, towards the end of the dry season, when animals congregate around water sources. Filming Lake Chad is best filmed between August and September when the water levels are at their highest.
Gerewol festivals are held by the nomadic Wodaabe people as a courting ritual where women choose brightly dressed male suiters. Dates and locations vary depending on the season.
Chad is majority Muslim country with a large Christian community.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Chad.
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. Our Chadian fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
The Central African CFA franc (XAF) is the official currency. Local ATM’s are unreliable, so make sure to bring USD or Euros to exchange.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Chad.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Chad has a very small local pool of directors, directors of photography 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 Chad.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Arabic and French are the official languages.
Chad has more than 200 distinct ethnic groups. The largest groups are the Sara, and Arab people. Ethnic minorities include the Kanembu, Masalit, Toubou, Masa, Bidio, Boulala, Marba, Dadjo, Moundang, Gabri, Zaghawa, Fula, Tupuri, Tama, Karo, Banguirmi, and Mesmedjé people. All other talent needs to be brought in from abroad.
Chad Film Equipment
Equipment. You will need to bring in all camera, grip and lighting equipment from abroad.
Communication. Satellite phones are illegal and internet access is very limited.
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
Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Western passport holders must obtain an entry visa prior to travelling. Applications are to be made by mail or in person at your closest Chad embassy or representative. In addition to other documents, your application must also include an Invitation Letter from your Chadian fixer / service producer, a letter stating the reason for your travel to Chad, and proof of yellow fever vaccination. Visa processing times vary but generally take about 1 week. First time visitors required to obtain a registration stamp through the National Police within 72 hours of arrival (make sure to bring 2 additional passport photos). For US crew see here for more information on visas.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure is quite basic. Most roads are in disrepair and impassible during the rainy season, particularly in the south. Driving outside of major towns by night is dangerous. Our Chadian fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transport and travel permits. Several international airlines service flights to Chad.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Chad:
Le Meridien Chari
Kempinski Hotel N’Djamena
Novotel N’Djamena La Tchadienne
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. Go rock climbing in the Ennedi desert.
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 Chad, please see below:
Hire Chad Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Chad, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Chad, 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.
