Solomon Islands 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 the Solomon Islands? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in the Solomon Islands
For an introduction to shooting in the Solomon Islands 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.
Solomon Islands Film Locations
The Solomon Islands is an archipelago of almost 1000 South Pacific islands, located east of Papua New Guinea. Film locations of note include WWII sites, coral islands and reefs, beaches, surf breaks, rainforests, lagoons, lakes, waterfalls, and volcanoes.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of timber, palm oil, copra, cocoa, and coconuts. Traditional fishing boats are available for filming. The Solomon Islands mine lead, zinc, nickel, and gold.
The Thin Red Line (1998) filmed in the Solomon Islands.
Film locations can be divided into the following provinces:
Capital Territory
Located on the island of Guadalcanal, Honiara is the capital and largest population centre. Honiara locations of note include the colourful Central Market, Guadalcanal American Memorial, Solomon Islands National Museum, and Honiara Botanical Gardens which houses various orchid species.
Guadalcanal Province
Guadalcanal is known for beautiful waterfalls including Mataniko Falls, and Tenaru Falls.
Vilu War Museum is located on Guadalcanal.
Tavanipupu Private Island Resort is located just off of Guadalcanal.
Central Province
The Central Province includes the Russell Islands, Nggela Islands (Florida Islands), and Savo Island.
Leru Cut near Leru Island is a spectacular dive site where light pours into a canyon with a sandy bottom.
Twin Tunnels near Tulagi Island is a beautiful reef dive with 2 large lava tubes.
Choiseul Province
This northernmost province includes Choiseul Island as well as the Treasury Islands, and Shortland Islands.
Isabel Province
Santa Isabel Island is the main island in this province.
Anchovies, PT’s, and Kummas are surf breaks near Papatura island.
Makira-Ulawa Province
This province includes the islands of Makira (San Cristobal), Ulawa, Uki Ni Masi, Owaraha (Santa Ana), Owariki (Santa Catalina), Pio, and others.
Malaita Province
Malaita province includes Malaita Island, South Malaita Island, Sikaiana Island, and Ontong Java Atoll. The people of Langa Langa Lagoon and Lau Lagoon in Malaita, built about 60 artificial islands on the reef including Funaafou, Foueda, Sulufou, Saua, Ferasubua and Adagege.
Surf breaks of note include Charlie’s Right, Toi, and Kofiloco.
Rennell and Bellona Province
Located in the south of the country, the province includes two inhabited atolls, Rennell and Bellona, as well as the uninhabited Indispensable Reef.
Rennell Island is the world’s largest uplifted coral island. The island is home to Lake Tegano, the largest fresh water lake in the South Pacific.
Temotu Province
Located in the east of the country, Temotu includes the Reef Islands, Santa Cruz Islands, and several other isolated islands.
Tinakula is an active volcano island.
Western Province
Western Province is the largest of the nine provinces. The area is renowned for its beautiful tropical islands, excellent underwater photography, coral reefs and WWII wrecks, ecotourism lodges, and head-hunting shrines. The province contains many small lagoons.
Marovo lagoon is the second largest saltwater lagoon in the world.
Grand Central Station and the Japanese WWII wreck Toa Maru, just off of Gizo Island, offer impressive underwater photography options.
Surf breaks of note include Paelongge, Desperates, Titiana’s, and Skull Island.
Kavachi is an active underwater volcano, located south of Ngatokae Island.
Solomon Islands Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
The Solomon Islands have an equatorial climate with high humidity, regular rainfall, and long shoot days throughout the year. The dry season runs from May to October. This is the best time to film for weather. The wet season runs from November to April, when rainfall is frequent and the islands experience cyclones. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
The Wogasia Spear Dancing Festival is held in May. The Lagoon Festival is held in October.
The Solomon Islands are a predominately Christian country, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in the Solomon Islands.
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 and local talent costs in the Solomon Islands are inexpensive. Other local costs can be quite high given nearly all goods need to be imported. Since no filming infrastructure exists on the islands all crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Our Solomon Islander fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. There are no tax incentives for feature films or commercials shooting in the Solomon Islands.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Film and photography crews 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 the Solomon Islands.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiated a personal basis. Casting facilities are undeveloped so street casting is required.
Each island group has its own unique language and customs. Although English is the official language Solomons Pijin is spoken by most locals to communicate with each other.
Solomon Islanders are ethnically Melanesian. Non-Melanesian looks need to be cast abroad.
Solomon Islands Film Equipment
Equipment. Camera, grip and lighting gear needs to be brought in.
Communication. Slow and unreliable internet.
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 and Backlots don’t exist.
Post Production. None available locally.
Visas & Work Permits
Crews travelling on Western passports can obtain a Visitor’s Permit on Arrival or visa-free access for stays of up to 3 months. Work permits are not required to film in the Solomon Islands.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Roads outside of Honiara are in an average condition. Travelling between islands is best done by boat or plane. Solomon Airlines is currently the only domestic carrier. Several international airlines service flights to Honiara.
Accommodation. Staying in established lodges can be quite expensive. See here for options. 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.
Down Time. Local cuisine includes ingredients such as taro, sugarcane, rice, papaya, yams, and fresh seafood.
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 Solomon Islands, please see below:
Hire Solomon Islands Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in the Solomon Islands, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in the Solomon Islands, 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.