Cape Verde 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 Cape Verde? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Cape Verde
For an introduction to shooting in Cape Verde 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.
Cape Verde Film Locations
Located off the coast of West Africa, Cape Verde is an archipelago made up of 10 islands and 8 islets. Cape Verde is know for its beachfront resorts, active volcanoes, paradise white and black sand beaches, surf breaks, underwater photography, salt flats, and towering mountains.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of corn, sugarcane, bananas, mangos, and coconuts.
Cape Verde has hosted productions including Citation (2020) and Sans Soleil (1983).
Film locations can be divided by the following islands:
Santiago Island
Santiago island is the largest island in Cape Verde. Praia, the capital and largest city is located on Santiago island. Cidade Velha is a historic village outside of Praia. Serra Malagueta and Pico d’Antonia are volcanic mountain ranges on the island.
Santo Antao Island
Santo Antao island is known for its volcanic landscapes, lush green pine forests, and farmed terraced valleys. Ponto do Sol has underwater photography locations. Ribeira Grande is a charming town with Portuguese colonial buildings and cobblestone streets, nestled in a mountainous setting.
Sao Vicente Island
Sao Vicente island is home to the port city of Mindelo, the cultural capital of Cape Verde. Mindelo is a traditional town filled with cafés, restaurants, music, markets and colonial architecture. The National Centre for Art, Crafts and Design is located in Mindelo.
Santa Luzia Island
Santa Luzia island is arid and uninhabited, with some beautiful isolated beaches.
São Nicolau Island
São Nicolau is a rural island with small fishing villages and beautiful beaches. In the very fertile Fajã Plain you’ll see Carob, banana and papaya trees as well as prehistoric dragon trees. Ribeira Brava is a beautiful town with colonial architecture and brightly coloured houses.
Sal Island
Sal island is a desert island with tourist resorts and great beaches. Santa Maria is a bustling town. Sal Rei is the island’s main urban settlement. The town of Palmeira is a jump-off point for underwater photographers. Pedra Lume is a salt pan located on Sal. Ponta Preta and Kite Beach are popular with windsurfers. Buracona Olho Azul is an underground pool which, when the sun is at its highest point, shines straight into a large hole making the ocean water shine like a large blue eye.
Boa Vista Island
Boa Vista island is the hottest and driest of all the islands. It is home to the Viana Desert (made of sands blown in from the Sahara), as well as the wreckage of M/S Cabo Santa Maria located on Praia de Atalanta which makes for a unique film location. Other beaches of note inclue Praia de Santa Mónica, Praia de Chave, and Praia do Estoril. Loggerhead turtles come to nest on Boa Vista beaches. Morro Negro lighthouse in an impressive film location. Morro de Areia Nature Reserve is located on Boa Vista island.
Maio Island
Maio is a beautiful desert island with sandy beaches, turquoise seas, surf breaks, fishing villages, and the town of Vila do Maio. Salina de Porto is a salt lake located on Maio.
Fogo Island
Fogo island is the most volcanically active of all the islands. It is home to Chã das Caldeiras including the highest peak in Cape Verde, Pico do Fogo. São Filipe is a picturesque town with Portuguese colonial architecture.
Brava Island
Brava is the smallest and greenest island in Cape Verde. Its misty forests are home to unique flora. Faja d’Agua is an idyllic fishing village.
Cape Verde Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Cape Verde has a temperate climate. The rainy season is from August to October. Rains tend to come in short downpours. The best time to film in Cape Verde is from February to June when the days are long and sunny. Underwater photography conditions are good all year round. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• The colourful Cape Verde Carnival in Mindelo takes place in February.
• Bandeira (Flag) de Sao Filipe horse race in in April
• Loggerhead turtles nest on Boa Vista island from July and September.
Cape Verde 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 Cape Verde.
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. The remote location means other imported goods are also expensive so come prepared. Our Cape Verdean 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 Cape Verde.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Cape Verde has a very small pool of local 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 Cape Verde.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Portuguese is the official language.
Cape Verdeans are predominately mestizos, a people of mixed African and European decent. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad.
Cape Verde Film Equipment
Equipment. Best to bring in all 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.
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
Most passport holders are required to obtain a visa to enter Cape Verde. Visas can either be obtained from your closest Cape Verde embassy or consulate, or in person on arrival at any of the Cape Verde international airports. Visas are valid for a period of up to 90 days.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Roads are of a fair standard, although most paved roads are narrow and winding. Domestic flights are available to most inhabited islands. Several international airlines service flights to Cape Verde with international airports on the islands of Sal, Santiago, Boa Vista and São Vicente.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Cape Verde:
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.
Final Notes. Enjoy the beaches and try some fruity Fogo wine.
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 Cape Verde, please see below:
Hire Cape Verde Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Cape Verde, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Cape Verde, 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.
