Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Guinea-Bissau
For an introduction to shooting in Guinea-Bissau 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.
Guinea-Bissau Film Locations
Guinea-Bissau is a small, low-lying West African country. The interior landscape is forest savanna and the coastline is swampy plain and mangroves. The country is best known for its Portuguese colonial architecture, and coastal national parks.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of cashews, rice, cassava, peanuts, coconuts, and cotton. Traditional fishing boats are available for filming. Guinea-Bissau is also known for its bauxite mines.
Film locations can be divided into the following regions: Bafatá, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, and Tombali.
Bissau is the capital and largest city. The coastal city is known for its decaying Portuguese colonial architecture, Fortaleza de São José da Amura, French Cultural Centre, Oswaldo Vieira Airport, and the port of Bissau.
Lagoas Cufada Natural Park, located on the coast, is a landscape of lagoons and wetlands that are home to hippos, chimpanzees, waterbucks, buffalos, hyenas, and leopards.
Varela National Park, located in the northwest of the country has mangrove forests, coastal savannas, and beautiful beaches where turtles come to hatch their eggs.
Florestas de Castanhez National Park is located in the south of the country. The area is home to chimpanzees, hippos, West African manatees, and a diversity of birdlife.
The Bijagos Archipelago lies off the mainland. Home of the Bijago people, the islands are known for their beautiful beaches and wealth of biodiversity. Orango National Park is an island wetlands location with savanna, palm-lined shores, brackish lagoons, and mangroves. The park is home to hippos, crocodiles, monkeys, turtles, dolphins, and a diversity of birdlife including the rare African grey parrot. João Vieira Island is an important nesting ground for sea turtles.
Guinea-Bissau Film Location Permits
Permission to film can vary greatly depending on the place, the officials, and the security situation. A good fixer is essential. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Guinea-Bissau has a tropical climate. The dry season runs from December to April with hot winds blowing in from the interior. The hot, wet season runs from May to November. Filming on the Bijagos Archipelago is best done between November and February, when the weather is cool and dry, and the landscape is verdant. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
The Guinea-Bissau Carnival takes place in February.
Muslims dominate the north and east. Christians dominate the south and coastal regions. Many residents practice a mix of Islamic, Christian, and traditional African beliefs.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Guinea-Bissau.
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 Bissau-Guinean fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
The West African CFA franc (XOF) is the official currency.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Guinea-Bissau.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Guinea-Bissau has a very small local pool of directors, videographers and stills photographers. Key crew must 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 Guinea-Bissau.
Talent day rates are very reasonable and buyouts are negotiated on a personal basis.
Although Portuguese is the official language, most people speak their native African languages. Creole is the main language locals use to communicate with each another.
The Fula, Balanta, and Mandinka are the largest ethnic groups. Minority groups include Papel, Manjako, Beafada, Mancanha, Bijagós, Felupe, Mansoanca, Balanta Mane, Nalu, Saracule, and Soso people. Some mixed African-Portuguese looks are also available. All other talent needs to be brought in from abroad.
Guinea-Bissau Film Equipment
Equipment. You will need to bring in all camera, grip and lighting equipment from abroad.
Communication. Limited internet access is available in Bissau.
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 visas are required by all Western passport holders to film in Guinea-Bissau. Evidence of yellow-fever vaccination is also required for entry into Guinea-Bissau. A project synopsis may also be asked for. Guinea-Bissau does not have consular representation in the US. Most travellers apply for Bissau-Guinean visas en route in Dakar, Senegal, or Lisbon, Portugal.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Most towns are accessible by boat. Only major roads are paved. Avoid travel by night. Our Bissau-Guinean fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transportation. Several international airlines service flights to Guinea-Bissau.
Accommodation. Film friendly hotels in Guinea-Bissau:
Ledger Plaza Hotel
For those looking to stay with local communities our fixer also organises hosted accommodation.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice. Our Bissau-Guinean fixer organises security depending on the areas you plan to enter. See here for vaccinations required for Guinea-Bissau.
Down Time. Visit the Bijagos Archipelago. Cana de Cajeu is a traditionally brewed cashew rum. Try it!
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 Guinea-Bissau, please see below:
Hire Guinea-Bissau Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Guinea-Bissau, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Guinea-Bissau, 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.
