New Caledonia 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 New Caledonia? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in New Caledonia
For an introduction to shooting in New Caledonia 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.
New Caledonia Film Locations
New Caledonia is a dependent overseas territory of France located in the Pacific Ocean to the east of Australia and west of Vanuatu. The archipelago is known for its palm-lined white sand beaches, beautiful lagoons and reefs.
Agricultural film locations include cattle ranches, pig farms, and shrimp farms. New Caledonia is also known for its nickel mines.
Mercenaire (2016) filmed in New Caledonia.
New Caledonia film locations can be divided into the following islands:
Grande Terre
Grande Terre, the main island of New Caledonia, is one of the largest islands in the South Pacific. It is known for beaches, mountains, lush vegetation, waterfalls and the world’s largest coral lagoon.
Nouméa is the capital and largest population centre. It is a cosmopolitan city with French boutiques and palm-lined streets. Nouméa is home to the unique Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre which was designed by Renzo Piano. Château Hagen is another beautiful film location.
Blue River National Park is located just outside of Nouméa.
The Caledonian lagoon is a popular location for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Madeleine Waterfall is a beautiful film location.
The livestock farming on the drier West Coast plains is known for its Broussards, the cowboys of the Pacific.
Amédée Island is a 40min boat ride from Nouméa is known for its tropical beauty and impressive lighthouse.
Îlot Canard and Îlot Maître are beautiful tropical islets a short boat ride from Nouméa.
Loyalty Islands
Located to the northeast of Grande Terre, the Loyalty islands consists of six inhabited islands: Lifou Island, Maré Island, Tiga Island, Ouvéa Island, Mouli Island, and Faiava Island, as well as several smaller uninhabited islands and islets.
Chesterfield Islands
Located to the northwest of Grande Terre, the Chesterfield Islands consists of 11 uninhabited islets and many reefs.
Belep Archipelago
Located north of Grande Terre, the Belep Archipelago consists of one inhabited island, Belep, and a large number of tiny islets and reefs.
Isle of Pines
Located southeast of Grande Terre, the Isle of Pines is a unique film location known for its tall pine trees, white sand beaches, and emerald lagoon. Locations of note include Kanumera Bay, Kuto Bay, Oro Bay, Île Môrô, and Ilot Brosse.
New Caledonia Film Location Permits
Film permits for locations in New Caledonia are a fast and easy process. Contact us for more information.
When To Shoot?
The climate is tropical, with a hot and humid period from November to March and a cooler, dry period from June to August. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
The Great Lagoon Regatta takes place in June celebrating Melanesian culture and traditions. Nouméa Carnival takes place in August.
New Caledonia is predominately Christian, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in New Caledonia.
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. Local costs are relatively expensive since most goods need to be imported. Since little filming infrastructure exists on the islands all crew and equipment must also be brought in from abroad. Our New Caledonian fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. Various local government funds are available for qualifying productions coming to film in New Caledonia.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Some crew is available locally and more specialised crew may need to be brought in.
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 New Caledonia.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable. Casting facilities are undeveloped in New Caledonia so street casting is required.
French is the official language.
The Kanak, a Melanesian people, are the largest ethnic group. Other locally available talent looks include Caucasians, Wallis and Futunan, Tahitian, Indonesians, Ni-Vanuatu, and Vietnamese.
New Caledonia Film Equipment
Equipment. Some camera, grip and lighting gear is available locally. The well established production service centre of Brisbane, Australia is a short 2 hour flight from Nouméa. For productions looking to bring in their own film equipment, New Caledonia is an ATA carnet country.
Communications. 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 are very minimal.
Studios. None.
Post Production. Basic facilities.
Visas & Work Permits
Visiting crews travelling on western passports can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Work permits are not required. Contact your local New Caledonian representative or French consulate for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. The main island of Grande Terre has the best road infrastructure of all the islands. Travel between islands is best done by plane, helicopter or boat. Several international airlines service flights to Nouméa.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Nouméa include:
Le Meridien Noumea
Le Lagon Hotel
Royal Tera Beach & Spa
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. New Caledonia is best known for marine activities such as scuba diving, wind surfing, and sailing. There are also several interesting museums worth visiting.
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 New Caledonia, please see below:
Hire New Caledonia Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in New Caledonia, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in New Caledonia, 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.
