Antigua and Barbuda 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 Antigua and Barbuda? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in Antigua and Barbuda

For an introduction to shooting in Antigua and Barbuda 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.

Antigua and Barbuda Film Locations

Antigua and Barbuda are known for their Caribbean paradise island looks of pristine white sand beaches, turquoise waters, rolling hills, salt flats, rainforests and luxury villas. All of the island’s beaches are open to the public.

Agricultural film locations include plantations of cotton, sugarcane, and a range of fruits. Tourism is the economic mainstay.

Film locations can be divided by the following islands:

Antigua

Antigua is the larger and more developed of the two islands.

Saint John’s is the capital and largest city. Film locations include Heritage Quay Cruise Ship Terminal, St John’s Cathedral, and Museum of Antigua and Barbuda.

Cricket grounds include Antigua Recreation Ground, and Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds.

Admiral Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour is the home of Antigua and Barbuda’s yachting culture.

Shirley Heights Lookout offers great shots of Falmouth Harbour.

Betty’s Hope was formerly a sugarcane plantation.

Antigua is home to 365 beaches including Rendezvous Bay, Buccaneer Cove Beach, Pinching Bay, Carlisle Bay Beach, Deep Bay Beach, Darkwood Beach, Dickenson Bay, Ffryes Beach, Fort James Beach, Halfmoon Bay, Hermitage Bay Beach, Jabberwock Beach, Jolly Beach, Long Bay Beach, Morris Bay Beach, Mosquito Cove Beach, and Pigeon Point Beach.

Barbuda

Barbuda has fewer people and even fewer facilities. The island is famous for its magnificent secluded pink and white sand beaches including Princess Diana Beach, Low Bay Beach and Barbuda Pink Sand Beach. Codrington is the largest town on the island. The Frigate Bird Sanctuary is a bird watcher’s paradise.

Outside of Antigua and Barbuda, the main off-shore islands include Redonda Island, Great Bird Island and Green Island, Guiana Island, Prickly Pear Island, Crump Island, Maiden Island, Rabbit Island, York Island, Hells Gate, Sandy Island, and Long Island.

Antigua and Barbuda Film Location Permits 

Permitting is a quick and easy process in Antigua and Barbuda. Please contact us for location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Antigua and Barbuda has a tropical climate which remains warm and relatively dry throughout the year. Tropical storms and hurricanes may occur between June and October. November to May is the dry season and best time to film for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.

• The islands host Antigua Sailing Week at the end of April each year.
• Antigua Carnival takes place from late July to early August.

Antigua and Barbuda is a predominately Christian country so those holidays are observed.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Antigua and Barbuda.

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. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad which will add to the cost of filming. Local costs are also somewhat expensive. During the peak dry season accommodation can be especially expensive. Our Antiguan 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 Antigua and Barbuda.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. Antigua and Barbuda has a very small pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Key crew needs to be brought in from abroad. Please contact us for recommended options.

Contact us if you are looking for a director, DoP / cinematographer, videographer / camera operator, stills photographer, or any other film crew for your shoot in Antigua and Barbuda.

If you are an exceptionally talented Antiguan director, DoP / cinematographer, videographer / camera operator, or stills photographer, introduce yourself here.

Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiated on a personal level.

English is the official language.

Most Antiguans are Afro-Caribbean with some Caucasian looks also available. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad.

Antigua and Barbuda Film Equipment

Equipment. There are no equipment houses in Antigua and Barbuda. For productions intending to bring in camera / lighting / grip equipment, Antigua and Barbuda is not an ATA carnet country, but bringing in gear is a quick and easy process.

Communications. 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. There are no post production facilities in Antigua and Barbuda.

Visas & Work Permits

Crews travelling on western passports can enter and film in Antigua and Barbuda for stays of up to 30 or 90 or 180 days, depending on the country.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure. Roads are up to international standards. Getting between islands is best done by air or charter boat. Several international airlines service flights to Antigua and Barbuda.

Accommodation. Film friendly hotels in St. John’s include:

The Villas at Sunset Lane
Galley Bay Resort
Hermitage Bay

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. Hit the beach.

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 Antigua and Barbuda, please see below: