Fiji
Film Locations. Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific east of Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south of Tuvalu. The country occupies an archipelago of about 322 islands. It is only a few hours flight from Australia and New Zealand and a 10 hour flight time form Los Angeles. Fiji offers a variety of locations including palm lined white sand beaches, surfing, coral reefs, lagoons, tropical islands, lush rainforests, pine forests, rolling hills, rivers, waterfalls, caves, resorts and unique rock formations.
The main island is divided into two different weather patterns: the dry west side of Viti Levu, the Nadi side, which features rolling grass covered hills, pine forests, mountains and many of the country's beaches, and resorts. The wet east side of the island (or Suva side) which features lush rain forest, jungle, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Suva and Nadi are the main production centres.
Permits. Permits are usually very easy to obtain. Negotiations are carried out by our Fijian producer and the Fiji Audio Visual Commission (FAVC). If a production goes through the FAVC you will be entitled to a waiver on work permit fees. They will also help you in obtaining assistance of government departments and statutory bodies for the required permits and accesses.
When to shoot? Fiji has a tropical climate. May to October is the dry season and November to April the wet season. Long sunny shoot days are common all year round.
For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Please contact us for more specific weather and sun path information.
Costs. Locations and talent costs are inexpensive but since little to no filming infrastructure exists on the islands key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. The closest major production centres are Brisbane and Auckland.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable. Day rates are
very reasonable and negotiated on a personal basis.
Casting facilities are undeveloped in Fiji so street casting is often required.
Fiji offers mostly Pacific Islander looks but some East Indian and Caucasian looks are also available. Experienced models and actors need to be brought in from abroad.
Creative talent. Fiji has a no pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers.
Please contact us for recommended directors, DoP's and photographers for your project.
Crews and Equipment. All equipment and department heads need to be brought in from abroad. Supporting crews speak English. Australia and New Zealand are the closest major production centres to bring in crews and equipment. There are no union or guild problems in doing this.
Fringes and Premiums. No set rules but we do consider the standard rules for foreign crews.
Art department and set construction are very minimal.
Studios and Backlots do not exist yet but there are plans for the Yaqara Studio City.
Tax Incentives are available for both commercials and features. For more information see here:
Fiji Audio Visual Commission
Film Stock and Post Production. None available locally. Australia and New Zealand are the closest production centres.
Visas and Work Permits. The FAVC wil provide all work permits for all international crew free of charge. For visas, contact your local Fijian embassy / representative for more information.
Transportation Infrastructure. Air Pacific is Fiji’s international carrier that has direct flights from Auckland, Christchurch, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Narita (Japan). Other airlines that fly into Fiji are Qantas, Air New Zealand, Korean Air and Pacific Blue. Domestic travel is best achieved by road and boat.
Accommodation. Recommended hotels include:
Shangri La
Sheraton Fiji
Outrigger
Tavarau
Toberua
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Communication. Web posted casting, scouting and videoconferencing.
Safety. Fiji is a safe place to shoot. Politically stable and low crime rates. It has played host to Hollywood features the likes of Castaway Island with Tom Hanks.
"I have a very safe feeling being in Fiji, everything looks just great, and I am very excited to be here” - Dean Zanuck, Hollywood Film Producer
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Fiji, please see below:
Our production service companies, line producers and fixers have serviced TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries for:
AXA Belgium, BBC UK, Canon Singapore, Coca Cola Indonesia, Concord Canada, Dove Malaysia, Deutche Bank Germany, Dressman Sweden, Evian France, HBO USA, Heineken Ireland, Hyundai Korea, Intercontinental Hotels Global, ITC India, Kirin Japan, Kraft USA, Landrover UK, LG Korea, Meunil China, McDonalds Australia, MUFG Japan, Nikon Hong Kong, Nokia China, Orange Moblie Slovakia, Philips Netherlands, Proctor & Gamble USA, Chery Riich China, Rimowa Germany, Samsung Korea, Sinoland Hong Kong, Skipper Italy, Smirnoff USA, Sony United Arab Emirates, Stella Russia, Telefonica Spain, Vidal Sassoon China, Virgin Media UK, and much more.
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer in Fiji, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
