Cameroon 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 Cameroon? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Cameroon
For an introduction to shooting in Cameroon 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.
Cameroon Film Locations
Cameroon is “Africa in miniature”. It has all the major climates and landscapes found in Africa including tropical forests, lakes, beaches, savannah, deserts and mountains. Wildlife including lions, elephants, hippos and giraffes can be found throughout the country.
Agricultural film locations include cocoa, coffee, corn, sugarcane, banana, rubber, and cotton plantations. Industrial film locations include oil facilities, aluminium and textiles factories.
Cameroon has hosted productions including Chocolat (1988) and Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984).
Film locations can be divided into the following regions: Adamawa, Central, East, Far North, Littoral, North, Northwest, South, Southwest, and West.
The vibrant city of Yaoundé is the capital. Buildings dot a landscape of lush green hilly terrain, making Yaoundé one of West Africa’s most beautiful cities. The city is known for its unique government buildings built in the 1970’s.
Douala is the economic centre and largest city. Its energy is much more busy, chaotic, and gritty. Douala has a large airport and shipping container port available for filming.
Waza National Park is located in the far north of the country. The landscape is semi-arid Sahel transitioning into savannah forests. Waza National Park is home to lions, elephants, hyenas, cheetahs, and giraffes.
Lobéké National Park is located in the southeast in the Congo Basin. The lush green landscape is home to elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, leopards, as well as hundreds of species of birds and butterflies.
Korup National Park located in the west of the country is one of Africa’s oldest and richest tropical forests.
Dja Faunal Reserve is located in the south of the country. It is home to elephants, buffalos, leopards, and a diversity of birdlife. Baka pygmies live within the boundaries of the reserve.
Mefou National Park, located just south from Yaoundé is a rehabilitation centre for chimpanzees and gorillas.
Campo Ma’an National Park is located in the southwest of the country. It is home to elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, hippos, giant pangolins, black colobus, mandrills leopards, and sea turtles.
Bénoué National Park in the north of the country is home to elephants, hyenas, buffalos, wild dogs, hippos, and crocodiles.
Bouba Njida National Park located in the north of the country is home to the painted hunting dog.
Faro National Park located in the north of the country is home to cheetahs, rhinos, elephants, and hippos.
The southern part of Lake Chad is located in Cameroon.
Kribi is a beautiful beach in the south of the country. The nearby Lobé Falls cascade directly into the sea.
Chutes d’Ekom is a beautiful waterfall that featured in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984).
Mount Cameroon is an active volcano.
Rhumsiki is a traditional village located in the Mandara Mountains.
Foumban is a city in the west with a large Muslim population. The city is known for the Grand Mosque, Royal Palace, and colourful market.
Cameroon Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations, and other public facilities. Unauthorised photography may be punished with fines, arrest and confiscation of your photographic equipment. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Cameroon has a tropical climate which is humid in the south and dry in the north. In the south, the dry season runs from November to February, the small rainy season is from March to June and the big rains come between August and October. The dry season is the best time to film for weather. In the north the rainy season runs from May to September. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Cameroonian festivals and events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Nyem-Nyem Festival held in the city of Ngaoundéré in July.
• African Music Market (Le Kolatier) is held in Yaoundé every two years in October.
• Ngondo Festival in Douala every December.
• Nguon Festival of Foumban every two years in December.
Cameroon is a majority Christian country, with a large Muslim population.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Cameroon.
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 Cameroonian 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 Cameroon.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Over 230 languages are spoke with English and French being the official languages. Cameroon has a small local pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Cameroon has a good gaffer, art department, hair and makeup, and sound recordists. Some crew may need 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 Cameroon.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Cameroon has mainly West African looking talent including Cameroon Highlanders, Equatorial Bantu, Kirdi, Fulani, Northwestern Bantu, and Eastern Nigritic peoples. All other talent needs to be brought in from abroad.
Cameroon Film Equipment
Equipment. You will need to bring in all camera, grip and lighting equipment from abroad.
Communications. Internet can be 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 beyond local looks.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Crews travelling on Western passports are required to apply for entry visas at their closest Cameroonian embassy or mission. The application must include an invitation letter from a locally based fixer, as well as proof of polio and yellow fever vaccination. Processing times vary. Allow at least a week. US travellers see here for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Major roads are paved. Rural roads are slower going and difficult to cross during the rainy seasons. Travel by night outside of major towns is considered dangerous. Our Cameroonian fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transportation. Several international airlines service flights to Cameroon.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Cameroon:
Yaoundé:
Hilton Yaoundé
Douala:
Le Meridien Douala
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 Cameroon.
Down Time. Explore one of the many wildlife parks.
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 Cameroon, please see below:
Hire Cameroon Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Cameroon, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Cameroon, 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.
