Niger 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 Niger? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Niger
For an introduction to shooting in Niger 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.
Niger Film Locations
Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is best known for its desert locations, vibrant markets, Hausa architecture, and wildlife parks.
Agricultural film locations include cotton, and ground nuts. Camels, goats, sheep, and cattle are herded. Oasis farming in the north produces dates. Niger is home to some of the world’s largest uranium deposits. The country also mines coal, gold, salt, silver, and tin.
The Great Green Wall (2019) filmed in Niger.
Niger can be divided into the following regions: Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua, Tillabéri, and Zinder.
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Southern Niger
The far south of the country has a tropical climate rich with forests and woodlands. Most of the population lives in this part of the country. Home to over 250 species of fish, the Niger River is the lifeblood of this predominately desert country.
Located in the southwest of the country on the banks of the Niger River, Niamey is the capital and largest city. Niamey locations of note include the Great Mosque, Musée National Boubou Hama, Diori Hamani International Airport, and the Hippodrome which hosts camel races.
Zinder is the second largest city. Located in the southeast, it is known for the winding alleyways of its impressive Old Town, the adobe Sultan’s Palace, and its bustling bazaar.
Dosso is home to a palace, museum, and lively town square.
N’guigmi is a desert caravan town.
Ayorou, Maradi, Tahoua, and Balleyara are other market towns of note in southern Niger.
Dandaji Mosque Hikma Complex is a beautiful modern location.
‘W’ National Park, in the far southwest of the country, is famous for its elephants, giraffes, buffalos, lions, baboons, and hundreds of bird species.
Abaaba National Park is one of the last remaining habitats of the black rhino.
The Giraffe Reserve of Kouré is also located in southern Niger.
Lake Chad is located in the southeast of the country.
The Baleyara animal bazaar is a traditional market that sells camels, long-horn bulls, horses, sheep, and goats.
Northern & Central Niger
The landscape of northern and central Niger is predominately desert plains and sand dunes.
The Ténéré Desert is known for its beautiful shifting sand dunes. The UTA Flight 772 Memorial site can be found deep in the Ténéré Desert. The Tree of Ténéré was once the most remote tree in the world.
The spectacular Aïr Mountains of northern Niger rise up from the Sahara Desert sand dunes. Mont Idoukal-n-Taghes is the highest peak in the country.
Mt Idoukal-n-Taghès is the highest mountain in Niger.
Surrounded by Sahara Desert sand dunes the town of Agadez is known for its mud-brick Grand Mosque, adobe homes, narrow streets, and camel market.
Timia is an oasis town.
Djado City ruins lie at the southern end of the Djado plateau.
Arlit is known for its uranium mining.
The Trans-Sahara Highway runs through Niger.
Niger Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Unauthorised photography of sensitive locations such as military installations, radio and television stations, the Presidential Palace, airports, or diplomatic facilities, is prohibited. Penalties may include prison, fines and confiscation of equipment and footage. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Much of Niger lies within the Sahara desert making it one of the driest and hottest countries on earth. The hot, dry season runs from March to May with harmattan winds affecting visibility. The hot, humid rainy season runs from June to September but is shorter the farther north you go. The cooler, dry season runs from October until February. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Cure Salée (Salt Cure) is celebrated by Tuareg and Wodaabe people marking the end of the rainy season. It usually occurs in the last two weeks of September.
• Gerewol festivals are held by the Wodaabe people as a courting ritual where women choose brightly dressed male suiters. The largest such festival takes place in Ingall.
Niger is a predominately Muslim country. Ramadan is widely observed with most services closed during this period.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Niger.
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 Nigerien 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 features shooting in Niger.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Niger 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 Niger.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
French is the official language but Hausa and Zarma-Songhai are the most widely spoken languages between locals.
The largest ethnic groups are the Hausa and the Zarma-Songhai. Minority groups include Tuareg, Fula, Kanuri Manga, Tubu, Arab, and Gourmantche people. All other talent needs to be brought in from abroad.
Niger Film Equipment
Equipment. Bring in all camera, grip and lighting equipment from abroad.
Communications. Slow internet speeds 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
Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Western passport holders are required to have visas to enter Niger. US passport holders see here for more information on visas. Proof of yellow fever inoculation is also required. Contact your local Niger embassy or representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Most paved roads are in the south of the country. Rural roads are slower going with many becoming impassable during the rainy season. Travelling on some roads is not permitted without special authorisation. Avoid road travel by night outside of major cities. Our local Nigerien film fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transport. Several international airlines service flights to Niger.
Accommodation. Contact us for film-friendly accommodation options in Niger.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Experience a Gerewol festival. Try local dishes such as efo stew, maafe, tattabara, ogbono, and jollof rice.
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 Niger, please see below:
Hire Niger Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Niger, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Niger, 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.
