Central African Republic (CAR) 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 the CAR? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in the CAR
For an introduction to shooting in the CAR 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.
CAR Film Locations
CAR consists primarily of flat savanna with desert in the north and dense tropical rainforest in the south. The country is home to a diversity of wildlife including elephants, lions, and gorillas.
Agricultural film locations include cotton, coffee, and timber plantations. CAR is also known for its diamond mines.
The country has hosted productions including Human (2015), and The Ambassador (2011).
CAR film locations can be divided into the following prefectures: Bamingui-Bangoran, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kémo, Lobaye, Mambéré-Kadéï, Mbomou, Nana-Grébizi, Nana-Mambéré, Ombella-M’Poko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pendé, Sangha-Mbaéré, and Vakaga.
Bangui is the capital and largest city. Locations of note include the presidential palace, Notre-Dame of Bangui Cathedral, Big Mosque, and Marché Central.
The town of Zinga is known for its traditional wooden houses.
Waterfalls of note include Boali Waterfalls and Kembe Falls.
Dzanga-Ndoki National Park located in the southwest of the country is home to gorillas, elephants, and chimpanzees.
Dzanga-Sangha National Park located in the southwest of the country is home to gorillas, elephants, buffalos, and a variety of birdlife.
Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park located in the north of the country is home to elephants, cheetahs, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, and lions.
Bamingui-Bangoran National Park located in the north of the country is home to wild dogs, cheetahs, lions, and African manatees.
Chinko Nature Reserve located in the east of the country is home to wild dogs, leopards, lions, buffalos, chimpanzees, and crocodiles.
CAR Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Film and photography of police or military installations, airports, or any other government buildings is prohibited without permission from appropriate authorities. Unauthorized photography may result in the seizure of photographic equipment. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
The climate is tropical and hot all year round. It is hotter in the north and more humid in the south. The dry season runs from February to May with hot, dry and dusty winds affecting the north. The wet season runs from June to September and is especially rainy in the south west rainforest area. The dry season is the best time to film for weather and wildlife. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
CAR is a predominately Christian country so those holidays are followed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in CAR.
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. CAR is a landlocked and remote country that relies heavily on expensive, imported goods. Come well prepared. Our Central African 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 CAR.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. CAR 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 CAR.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiated on a personal basis.
French and Sango are the offical languages.
CAR has over 80 African ethnic groups, each speaking their own language. The largest ethnic groups include the Gbaya, Banda, Mandja, and Sara. Minorit ethnic groups include the Mbaka, Yakoma, Baggara Arabs, Kara, Wodaabe, Zande, Baka, Bayaka, Fula, Kresh, Ngbandi, Vidiri, and Yulu people. All other talent needs to be brought in from abroad.
CAR Film Equipment
Equipment. You will need to bring in all camera, lighting and grip equipment from abroad.
Communications. Slow and unreliable internet connections.
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. Visitors to CAR must obtain a visa from one of the Central African Republic diplomatic missions or French diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. Although crew travelling on US passports are technically exempt from obtaining a visa for stays of up to 180 days, some airlines require proof of a CAR visa prior to allowing boarding, in which case you will need to apply for a visa. Contact your carrier and local CAR embassy or representative for more information. Applications for a visa require must also include an official invitation letter from a locally based fixer, as well as proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure is quite basic. Roads are often impassable during the wet season. Driving by night outside of major towns is dangerous. Our local Central African fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transportation. Several international carriers offer flights to Bangui.
Accommodation. Not many options. One hotel in Bangui:
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 CAR.
Down Time. Explore one of the country’s 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 Central African Republic, please see below:
Hire Central African Republic Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in the Central African Republic, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in the Central African Republic, 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.
