A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in Mozambique
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in Mozambique: What You Need to Know
Mozambique is a wonderful film location, but you can’t start your shoot without first having the requisite permits in place. You must apply to the National Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema (INAC), and expect to wait at least two weeks if not longer for the application to get rubber-stamped.
Your application must include:
- A project synopsis, script or treatment
- Your production schedule
- Full equipment information
- A crew list with passport copies.
If you want to be confident that everything will go smoothly, we strongly advise letting a local production partner handle the bureaucracy on your behalf is strongly recommended.
Timing Your Mozambique Film Production around the Weather
As with many southeastern African countries, Mozambique offers a diverse, tropical landscape, giving you a rich choice of filmic backgrounds. However, you’ll need to plan around the country’s two distinct seasons to ensure you get your ideal film footage.
The dry season from April to September is mild with low humidity. Cool but sunny days offer optimal filming opportunities. The hot, wet summer on the other hand, which lasts from October to March, brings heavy afternoon downpours, high temperatures, and a lot of mosquito activity, which visiting team members may find hard to deal with. We generally recommend penciling in film dates for the dry season where possible.
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
There is not a wide a choice of up-to-the-minute film equipment in Mozambique. Though small kits and basic camera, lighting, and sound equipment is easy to rent, more specialized gear will have to be brought with you.
As Mozambique is not an ATA Carnet country, you will need to submit a gear list with serial numbers and values along with a bond of 40-50 per cent. This bond will be returned to your local production partner approximately 2-3 months later. Be aware that customs clearance can take up to 15 working days.
You can hire professional, experienced crew members on the ground in Mozambique. Their fees may be a little higher than non-English speaking crews, but if you don’t have any other way to communicate, it makes sense to pay the extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
No, it is not.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
Yes.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
Yes. You can apply online, and your passport scans must be cleared by immigration before you can enter the country.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
No, but you will need a letter of invitation from a local film fixer.
Do I need a permit for drones?
Yes you do, and permits not only take a long time to be issued by the Ministry of Defense but can also be costly. We advise you to work with a local licenced drone operator.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
No.
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
Yes, but you will need to apply for a permit and have it approved first.
Working with Fixer Mozambique
We are one of the leading film fixer companies in the country and our work speaks for itself. We provide extensive support including location management, equipment rental, crew hire, permit applications, transport, drone operation, translation services, and full logistics to complex, large-scale and small, independent productions. Our clients include many well-known global names such as the BBC, HP, the African Climate Reality Project and the World Health Organization (WHO).
