Equatorial Guinea 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 Equatorial Guinea? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Equatorial Guinea
For an introduction to shooting in Equatorial Guinea 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.
Equatorial Guinea Film Locations
Equatorial Guinea is a coastal Central African country comprising of a mainland regions and 5 volcanic islands. Film locations include Spanish colonial architecture, tropical forests, waterfalls, beaches, volcanic landscapes, and national parks.
Offshore oil and gas fields are the economic mainstay. Agricultural film locations include plantations of cocoa, coffee, and timber. Local fishing boats are also available for filming.
Where the Road Runs Out (2014) filmed in Equatorial Guinea.
Equatorial Guinea is divided into the following provinces: Annobón, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kié-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas, and Djibloho.
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Insular Region
This includes the Atlantic islands of Bioko, Corisco, Great Elobey, Little Elobey, and Annobón.
Malabo, located on Bioko Island, is the capital. It is known for its Spanish colonial architecture and a lively market with a striking mountainous backdrop. Film locations of note include Presidential Palace of Teodoro Obiang, Santa Isabel Cathedral, Centro Cultural de Espana, Malabo International Airport, port of Malabo, and the infamous Black Beach Prison. Malabo is a hub for the country’s oil industry.
Bioko Island is also known for its beaches, such as Moraka and Moaba where turtles come to lay their eggs during the dry season. Arena Blanca beach is known for its butterflies. The Ilachi waterfalls are a spectacular location on Bioko Island.
Corisco Island is known for its jungles, white sand beaches, and azure seas.
Rio Muni
Rio Muni is the mainland region.
Bata is the country’s largest city. Locations of note include its palm-lined esplanade, Bata Port, Freedom Tower, Bata Cathedral, and Estadio de Bata.
Ciudad de la Paz is a city that is being built to be the future capital of Equatorial Guinea.
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is located in Mongomo.
Monte Alén National Park has a landscape of lush rainforest, mountains, and rivers. Wildlife of note includes goliath frogs, mandrills, mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, and crocodiles.
Altos de Nsork National Park is located in the remote southeast of the mainland region. The forest landscape is home to elephants, mandrills, and monkeys.
Monte Temelón Natural Reserve is a highland forest landscape that is home to the giant pangolin.
Equatorial Guinea Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Unauthorised photography of the Presidential Palace and its surroundings, military installations, airports, harbors, government buildings, and any other areas the government deems as sensitive, is illegal. Penalties for illegal filming may include fines, prison and confiscation of equipment. Our Equatoguinean fixer / service producer will arrange for your filming project to be permitted by the Ministry of Information and Tourism. Likewise, they will negotiate all other location specific permits depending on the specific needs of the shoot. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Equatorial Guinea has a tropical climate. The dry season runs from December to March. This is the best time to film for weather. The wet season runs from April to November. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Equatorial Guinea is a predominately Christian country so those holidays are observed widely.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Equatorial Guinea.
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 Equatoguinean 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 Equatorial Guinea.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Equatorial Guinea has a very small local pool of directors, videographers 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 Equatorial Guinea.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Equatorial Guinea is the only country in Africa where Spanish is the official language.
The Fang, who live mainly on the mainland, are the largest ethnic group. The Bubi people live on Bioko Island. Other ethnic groups of note include the Ndowe, Annobon, Bujeba, Igbo Ndowe, Annobon, Bujeba, and Igbo. There are also isolated pockets of pygmy people. All other talent needs to be cast abroad.
Equatorial Guinea Film Equipment
Equipment. You will need to bring in all camera, grip and lighting equipment from abroad.
Communications. Slow internet and limited coverage.
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
United States citizens can enter visa-free into Equatorial Guinea for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries require a visa. Allow plenty of lead time. Contact the Permanent Mission of Equatorial Guinea to the United Nations for more information on visas.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Major roads are paved including a highway from the coastal city of Bata, east to Gabon. Otherwise rural roads are slower going and impassible during the wet season. Driving by night is not recommended. Our fixer in Equatorial Guinea organises safe and reliable 4WD transportation. Several international airlines service flights to Equatorial Guinea.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Equatorial Guinea include:
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 Equatorial Guinea.
Down Time. Explore the town of Malabo.
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 Equatorial Guinea, please see below:
Hire Equatorial Guinea Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Equatorial Guinea, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Equatorial Guinea, 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.
