Mozambique Film & Photography Production Services
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Mozambique? We have fully vetted, locally based fixers, service producers, directors, DP’s, videographers, cameramen, photographers, sound operators, production drivers, and a range of other film crew. Contact us for referrals, questions, cost estimates and references.
Want to know more about shooting in Mozambique? See below for an introduction to Mozambique locations, permits, when to shoot, costs, talent, crews, equipment, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits, film friendly hotels, transport, communications and safety advice.
Mozambique Film Locations
Mozambique is known for its miles of beautiful islands and beaches, quiet fishing villages, lighthouses, wildlife parks, and Portuguese colonial architecture.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of sugarcane, corn, cassava, banana, pineapple, cashew nuts, peanuts, coconuts, rice, cotton, timber, tea, and tobacco. Fishing boats are available for filming including traditional dhows and dugout canoes. Mozambique mines coal, natural gas, marble, granite, bentonite, gold, bauxite, titanium, and gemstones. Energy locations include hydroelectric dams.
Mozambique has hosted films including Diana (2013), Generation Kill (2008), The Amazing Race 11 (2007), Blood Diamond (2006), The Interpreter (2005), and Ali (2001).
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
South
The South region includes the provinces of Gaza, Inhambane, Maputo City, and Maputo.
The capital and main production centre Maputo is a port city on the Indian Ocean known for its Portuguese colonial architecture. Film locations of note include CFM Maputo Railway Station, Baixa Municipal Market, Casa de Ferro, Museu de Historia Natural, Fortress of Maputo, Hotel Polana, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Church of Santo António da Polana, and City Hall in Praça da Independência square. The Samora Machel Statue in Praça da Independência was designed by North Korea’s Mansudae Overseas Projects. Mozal is an aluminium smelter. Praça de Touros Monumental, otherwise known as the Maputo Bullring, featured in The Interpreter (2005).
Inhambane is known for its historic Portuguese colonial buildings.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is known for its tropical islands with spectacular palm-lined white sand beaches, turquoise seas, coral reefs, and sand dunes. &Beyond Benguerra Lodge on Ilha de Benguerra is a luxury film location in the Bazaruto Archipelago. Ilha de Magaruque is another island of note.
Ponta do Ouro is a popular surf destination located near the South African border. It is also a great place to film underwater dolphin encounters in high visibility seas.
Ilha de Inhaca is a picturesque island.
Tofo beach is Mozambique’s answer to Goa with its beautiful beaches, laid-back vibe, and superb underwater photography options. The area has resident whale sharks and manta rays.
Limpopo National Park is home to a great biodiversity of African wildlife including elephants, lions, wild dogs, leopards, rhinos, wildebeests, hyenas, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, and hippos.
The natural landscapes around Goba were filmed for Blood Diamond (2006).
Central
The Central region includes the provinces of Manica, Sofala, and Tete.
The rolling savannah and grassy hills of Gorongosa National Park are home to lions, elephants, hippos, zebras, buffalos, wildebeests, and waterbucks.
Marromeu National Park is home to a large population of buffalos and waterbirds.
The Zambezi River empties into the Indian Ocean in this part of Mozambique.
Lake Cahora Bassa, created by the Cahora Bassa Dam, is one of the largest freshwater lake systems in Africa.
The Grande Hotel of Beira is a dilapidated grand film location.
The Macuti Lighthouse is also located in Beira.
Monte Binga, located in Chimanimani National Reserve, is the country’s highest peak.
North
The North region includes the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Niassa, and Zambezia.
Quirimbas Archipelago is known for its paradise islands, mangrove forests, idyllic beaches, and rich coral reefs. A protected National Marine Park, it consists of both coast and inland areas and is home to everything from elephants to dugongs. The Quirimbas Archipelago has some of Mozambique’s best underwater photography locations. Ibo Island is known is known for its crumbling mosques, churches, cemeteries, and Fort of São João. Situ Island Resort is a luxury film location in the Quirimbas Archipelago. Medjumbe Island is a private island resort.
Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago is a chain of 10 sparsely inhabited barrier islands and two coral reefs.
Ilha de Moçambique is a unique fortified island known for its Portuguese colonial architecture. Notable buildings include Fort São Sebastião, Fortim Igreja de Santo Antonio, and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte.
Baixo do Pinda is a lighthouse near Memba. There is also a lighthouse on Goa Island.
Pemba is a port city known for its Portuguese colonial architecture and beautiful palm-lined white sand beaches.
The Niassa Reserve is home to elephants, wild dogs, leopards, lions, hyenas, zebras and wildebeests.
The Manda Wilderness is located on Lake Malawi.
Mozambique Film Location Permits
Mozambique film location permits must be obtained through a registered Mozambican production company. Please contact us for more location specific information.
When To Shoot?
The climate in Mozambique varies depending on the region. The southern parts of the country are generally drier and less tropical than the north. November to May is the hot, wet season. June to October is the warm, dry season. This is the best time for underwater photography with warm, calm waters and excellent visibility. June to August are the best months for surfing conditions. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
• The Chopi Music Festival takes place in July.
• Traditional dances of note include the Chopi hunting dance, Makonde stilt dance, and Gule Wamkulu dances.
Mozambique is a majority Christian country with the northern provinces being predominately Muslim. Religious holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Mozambique.
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 Mozambican 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 Mozambique.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Mozambique has a very small 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 Mozambique.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Portuguese is the official language.
The Makua are the largest ethnic group and are dominant in the north of Mozambique. The Sena and Shona are prominent in the Zambezi valley. The Shangaan dominate southern Mozambique. Other groups include the Makonde, Yao, Swahili, Tonga, Chopi, and Nguni. Some Portuguese and Indian looks are also available. All other talent needs to be brought in from abroad.
Mozambique Film Equipment
Equipment. Limited camera, lighting, grip and drone equipment available locally.
Communications. Slow internet limited to major population centres.
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. None exist at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Most nationals require a visa to enter Mozambique. Crew from countries that do not have a Mozambican mission, may be able to obtain a visa on arrival, although this is not guaranteed. To be safe, it is recommended that you apply for a visa from your closest Mozambique embassy, prior to arrival. Contact your local Mozambique embassy or representative for more information. Visitors travelling via South Africa need to comply with South African visa regulations.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. The main toll road from South Africa to Maputo is well maintained. Roads between cities are in a fair condition. Off-road travel in some areas is not advised due to the large number of unexploded landmines. Our Mozambican film fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transport. Several international airlines service flights to Mozambique.
Accommodation. Film friendly hotels in Maputo 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.
Down Time. Try delicious local cuisine including xima, feijoada, mucapata, paõ, galinha asada, matapa, kakana, xiguinha, and grilled prawns marinaded in piri-piri sauce.
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 Mozambique, please see below:
Hire Mozambique Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Mozambique, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Mozambique, 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.
