French Polynesia
Film Locations. Tahiti is the largest of the 118 islands and atolls that constitute what is officially known as French Polynesia. It is located in the South Pacific just south of the equator half way between Australia and California. It is most famous for being the gateway to Bora Bora and Moorea that offer a variety of tropical turquoise paradise looks. Tahiti Island is known for its black sand beaches, lush rainforest, deep valleys, clear streams, high waterfalls, surfing, scuba diving, golf.
Permits are a fast and easy process.
When to shoot? Long shoot days all year around. May to October offers a slightly humid warm summer. November to April is the wet season where the climate slightly cools and becomes dryer. The trade winds bring warm days and cool nights.
For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Please contact us for more specific weather and sun path information.
Costs. Local costs are relatively expensive. Since no filming infrastructure exists on the islands all crew and equipment must also be brought in from abroad. French Polynesia is overall quite an expensive place to shoot but the locations are second to none.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable. Day rates are
very reasonable and negotiated on a personal basis.
Casting facilities are undeveloped in French Polynesia so street casting is required.
There are very few non-Polynesian looks available locally so those need to be brought in from abroad.
Creative talent. French Polynesia has 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 need to be flown in.
Art department and set construction are very minimal.
Studios and Backlots don't exist.
Tax Incentives. There are no tax incentives for feature films or
commercials shooting in French Polynesia.
Film Stock and Post Production. None available locally.
Visas and Work Permits. Only certain countries need visas and there is
no need for work permits. For stays of up to one month, there are no visa requirements for citizens of the US, Canada, or Mexico. Citizens of European Union countries do not need a visa for stays of up to three months; citizens of other countries should consult their local French Consulate.
Transportation Infrastructure. French Polynesia has a rather good infrastructure of roads and highways. Air Tahiti and Air Moorea offer inter-island flights. Tahiti Island is an hour flight to Bora Bora and half an hour by boat to Moorea. Internationally Tahiti is regularly served by three carriers: Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, and Air New Zealand.
Accommodation. Recommended hotels include:
Bora Bora:
Bora Bora Nui Resort
Four Seasons Resort
InterContinenantal Thalasso
St. Regis Resort
Tahiti:
Le Meridien
Radisson
Intercontinental
Moorea:
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa
Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Communication. Web posted casting, scouting and videoconferencing.
Safety. French Polynesia is a very safe place to shoot.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in French Polynesia, 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 French Polynesia, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
