Brunei 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 Brunei? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Brunei
For an introduction to shooting in Brunei 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.
Brunei Film Locations
Brunei is a tiny nation located in northern Borneo. It is known for biodiverse rainforests and beautiful mosques. Thanks to its oil and gas based economy, Brunei has one of the world’s highest standards of living, and as a result maintains one of Asia’s most virgin rainforests.
Industrial film locations include oil and gas facilities. Agricultural locations include rice paddies, and a range of fruit and vegetable plantations.
Brunei film locations can be divided into the following districts: Brunei-Muara, Belait, Tutong and Temburong.
The capital and largest city, Bandar Seri Begawan, is home to the opulent Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque, Royal Regalia museum, Gadong market, Kampong Ayer water village, Jerudong Park amusement park, the Billionth Barrel Monument, and Istana Nurul Iman palace where the sultan lives.
Nature locations of interest to filmmakers and photographers include Ulu Temburong National Park, Andulau Forest Reserve, Labi Forest Reserve, and Peradayn Forest Reserve.
Brunei Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and a good local fixer. Filming oil facilities is possible but script dependent. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Brunei has a year-round hot and humid tropical climate. October to December is the wet season with rains generally heavier in the forest than coastal areas. The rest of the year offers warm, sunny days with occasional rainfall. Visibility for underwater photography is good all year round. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Brunei is a predominately Sunni Muslim nation. Most holidays follow the Islamic calendar.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Brunei.
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 & Brunei Tax Incentives
Costs. In terms of local costs, Brunei is roughly the same price point as Singapore, which is more expensive than Malaysia. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must also be brought in from abroad. Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok are the closest major film production centers. In most cases, traveling productions tend not to film in Brunei unless the project specifically requires it. In any case, our Bruneian 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 Brunei.
Brunei Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Brunei has a very small pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Key crew must be brought in from abroad. There is some good English speaking supporting crew available locally.
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 Brunei.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiated on a personal basis.
Malay and English are widely spoken.
Brunei offers mainly Malay and Chinese looks. Indigenous groups include the Belait, Brunei Bisaya, Bruneian Malay, Dusun, Kedayan, Lun Bawang, Murut and Tutong people. The country also has a large expat community from all around Southeast Asia. All other talent looks are best cast abroad.
Brunei Film Equipment
Equipment. Bring in your camera, grip and lighting equipment from abroad.
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.
Brunei Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction is very basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. No post facilities exist locally.
Brunei Visas & Work Permits For Visiting Crew
Western passport holders can enter Brunei visa-free for periods of up to 90, 30 or 14 days. Others can get visas on arrival at Brunei International Airport for periods of up to 30 or 14 days. The rest are required to apply for visas. Contact your local Bruneian embassy or representative for more information.
Brunei Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Brunei’s cities, towns and villages have excellent, well maintained paved roads. Helicopters are available for access to more remote rainforest areas but given their primary use in the energy sector helicopters tend to be very expensive and often difficult to book on short notice. Several international airlines service flights to Brunei.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Bandar Seri Begawan include:
Centrepoint Hotel
Rizqun International Hotel
The Empire Hotel
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes On Filming In Brunei
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Non-Muslims can visit mosques outside of prayer time.
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 Brunei, please see below:
Hire Brunei Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Brunei, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Brunei, 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.
