Haiti 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 Haiti? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Haiti
For an introduction to shooting in Haiti 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.
Haiti Film Locations
Haiti is a Caribbean country occupying the western side of the island of Hispaniola. Film locations include its busy cities, colonial architecture, historic ruins, tropical mountainous landscapes, and beaches.
Agricultural locations include plantations of bananas, cocoa, coffee, mangoes, rice, and vetiver (essential oils used in perfumes). In terms of industrial locations, Haiti is known for its apparel manufacturing.
Despite being one of the poorest nations in the Americas, Haiti has a rich and unique culture.
Productions that have filmed in Haiti include The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988), Days After Your Departure (2019), and Tropic of Cancer (1972).
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Central Haiti
This region includes the department of Ouest.
The capital Port-au-Prince, home to 2.5 million people, is one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant cities. Locations of interest in Port-au-Prince include the wealthy neighbourhood of Pétionville, Cité Soleil slum, Marché en Fer (Iron Market), Musee du Pantheon National Haitien, Statue of the Unknown Slave, Barbancourt rum distillery, Gingerbread Houses, and Defly Mansion. Much of Port-au-Prince remains in disrepair since the earthquake of 2010.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel pilgrimage takes place every July to the healing waters of the Saut-d’Eau waterfalls. The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988) filmed at the waterfalls.
Northern Haiti
This region includes the departments of Nord-Ouest, Nord, Nord-Est, Artibonite, and Centre.
Northern Haiti is known for the laid back city of Cap-Haïtien with its French colonial architecture including the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. The city is also known for its cruise ship port and Labadee beach.
Just south of Cap-Haïtien you can find the ruins of Sans Souci Palace, Citadelle Laferrière, and the Cathédrale de Milot. These were all built by King Henri Christophe I, Haiti’s first and only King.
Rice fields can be found in the Artibonite Valley.
Southern Haiti
This region includes the departments of Grand’Anse, Sud, Nippes, and Sud-Est.
Jacmel is an elegant town known for its French colonial architecture such as the Hotel Florita and Maison Cadet. Jacmel is famous for its colourful Carnival celebrations and Voodoo ceremonies. Just outside of Jacmel, the Bassin-Bleu are blue pools fed by waterfalls.
Parc Macaya National Park has one of Haiti’s last remaining cloud forests. Unfortunately much of the rest of country has been deforested.
Pic la Selle in the Chaîne de la Selle mountain range is Haiti’s highest peak.
Kokoye Beach is a beautiful tropical beach with white sands and turquoise waters.
Ilet a Brouee is one of the world’s most densely populated islands.
Haiti Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and a good fixer. Haiti has very few restrictions to filming. Drone filming is possible. Permits are generally not required for shooting b-roll around Port-au-Prince. Shoots that require exclusive use of public space or traffic control require permits. Government agencies can move slowly so allow at least 2 weeks for permits. For projects seeking to film in dangerous or remote areas, our fixer will negotiate access directly with relevant authorities. Donations may be required. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Haiti has a tropical climate with hot and humid weather. Mountain areas experience much cooler temperatures. Haiti receives intermittent rain throughout the year. November to March is the dry season and best time to film for weather. April to June is the wet season. Hurricane season lasts from June to October and can experience severe storms and flooding. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Carnival takes place in January / February.
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel pilgrimage takes place every July to the healing waters of the Saut-d’Eau waterfalls.
Haiti is a predominately Christian country. Voodoo is still practiced by some Haitians.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Haiti.
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. Haitian 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. Imported goods are also quite expensive. Our Haitian 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 Haiti.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Haiti has no pool of directors, videographers and stills photographers. Crews 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 Haiti.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Haitian Creole, French and English is spoken.
Ethnically, most Haitians are Afro-Caribbean. All other talent looks are best cast abroad.
Haiti Film Equipment
Equipment. You will need to bring in all camera, grip and lighting equipment from abroad. Bringing gear into Haiti is an easy process.
Communications. Internet speeds are slow and access can be unreliable.
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
Haiti has one of the most open travel policies in the world. Nearly all nationals can travel to Haiti visa-free for stays of less than 90 days. Contact your local Haitian embassy or representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Haiti has paved roads linking major towns and cities. Our Haitian film fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transportation. Several international airlines service flights to Toussaint Louverture International Airport.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Haiti include:
Dan’s Creek Hotel
Hotel Florita
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. Our Haitian fixer arranges an armed security guard / policeman to patrol the shoot and escort the crew. See here for vaccinations required for Haiti. Make sure to bring plenty of mosquito repellent.
Down Time. Creole cooking.
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 Haiti, please see below:
Hire Haiti Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Haiti, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Haiti, 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.
