WHAT OUR LOCAL FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FILMING IN MOZAMBIQUE, AFRICA
Mozambique is located on the southeast coast of Africa. It is bound by Eswatini to the south, South Africa to the southwest, Zimbabwe to the west, Zambia and Malawi to the northwest, Tanzania to the north and the Indian Ocean to the east.
The climate in most of Mozambique is tropical and warm with a dry, cooler season from May until October and a wet, hot season from November until April. The dry and relatively cool winter months between May and October is the best time for film in the region.
Portuguese is the country’s official language, but it is only spoken by around half of the population. The other most spoken primary languages in Mozambique, include: Makhuwa, Changana, Nyanja, Ndau, Sena, Chwabo, and Tswa. English is generally spoken in hotels and beach lodges.
In Southern Mozambique the South African Rands (ZAR) and local Meticais is the recommended currency to take with. If you’re travelling to Central or Northern Mozambique, then US Dollars (USD) and local Meticais is the recommended currency to take with.
Infrastructure in Mozambique is significantly underdeveloped compared to all other countries of the world. Of its approximate 30,400 kilometers of highway roads, only 18 percent are paved, the rest remaining dangerous and even impassable in certain weather conditions. Taxis are now found in many Mozambique cities. Maputo cabs work on a flat rate. If you’re planning on renting a car especially in rural areas, getting a 4×4 is highly recommended due to the poor state of the country’s roads. Bus travel is cheap, reliable and on time.
Most visits to Mozambique are trouble-free, but street crime is common in Maputo and increasing in other cities. Some visitors to Mozambique report being victims of police harassment, including robbery, or requests for bribes.
There is currently no tax incentives and rebates available to film in Mozambique.
Recommended film friendly hotels in Maputo include:
WHAT OUR FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FILM LOCATIONS IN MOZAMBIQUE, AFRICA
Beautiful islands and beaches, quiet fishing villages, lighthouses, wildlife parks, and Portuguese colonial architecture, plantations of sugarcane, corn, cassava, banana, pineapple, cashew nuts, peanuts, coconuts, rice, cotton, timber, tea, and tobacco, fishing boats including traditional dhows and dugout canoes makes filming on location in the wonderful country an experience. Mozambique mines coal, natural gas, marble, granite, bentonite, gold, bauxite, titanium, and gemstones. Energy locations include hydroelectric dams.
Diana (2013), Generation Kill (2008), Blood Diamond (2006), The Interpreter (2005), and Ali (2001) as all shot on location here.
In the south region we have the provinces of Gaza, Inhambane, Maputo City, and Maputo.
Film locations of note include CFM Maputo Railway Station, Baixa Municipal Market, Casa de Ferro, Museu de Historia Natural, Fortress of Maputo, Hotel Polana, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Church of Santo António da Polana, and City Hall in Praça da Independência square. The Samora Machel Statue in Praça da Independência was designed by North Korea’s Mansudae Overseas Projects. Mozal is an aluminium smelter. Praça de Touros Monumental, otherwise known as the Maputo Bullring, featured in The Interpreter (2005), Portuguese colonial buildings,tropical islands with spectacular palm-lined white sand beaches, turquoise seas, coral reefs, and sand dunes. Ponta do Ouro is a popular surf destination located near the South African border. It is also a great place to film underwater dolphin encounters in high visibility seas.
Goa with its beautiful beaches, laid-back vibe offers superb underwater photography options. The area has resident whale sharks and manta rays.
Limpopo National Park is home to a great biodiversity of African wildlife including elephants, lions, wild dogs, leopards, rhinos, wildebeests, hyenas, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, and hippos.
The natural landscapes around Goba were filmed for Blood Diamond (2006).
The Central region have rolling savannah and grassy hills and is home to lions, elephants, hippos, zebras, buffalos, wildebeests, waterbucks and waterbirds.
The Zambezi River, Lake Cahora Bassa, created by the Cahora Bassa Dam, Macuti Lighthouse and the Chimanimani National Reserve are also found in this region.
Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Niassa, and Zambezia are in in the north. This regions known for its paradise islands, mangrove forests, idyllic beaches, and rich coral reefs. A protected National Marine Park, it consists of both coast and inland areas and is home to everything from elephants to dugongs, to barrier islands and coral reefs
Notable buildings include Fort São Sebastião, Fortim Igreja de Santo Antonio, and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte. Baixo do Pinda is a lighthouse near Memba. There is also a lighthouse on Goa Island.
Pemba is a port city known for its Portuguese colonial architecture and beautiful palm-lined white sand beaches.
The Niassa Reserve is home to elephants, wild dogs, leopards, lions, hyenas, zebras and wildebeests.
The Manda Wilderness is located on Lake Malawi.
WHAT OUR LOCAL FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FILM PERMIT ,VISAS AND WORK PERMITS WHEN FILMING IN MOZAMBIQUE, AFRICA
Visas & Work Permits
Most visitors to Mozambique unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries can obtain a visa on arrival at all border posts or from one of the Mozambican diplomatic missions. The processing time for all types of visa is 10 working days for normal processing and 3 working days for urgent processing. If the applicant has been in a Yellow Fever endemic country, he must present a Vaccination Certificate, both at the Embassy and at the entry border post.
Film & Location Permits for Mozambique
Mozambique film location permits must be obtained through a registered Mozambican production company
WHAT OUR LOCAL FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FILM CREWS,EQUIPMENT AND TALENT IN THE MOZAMBIQUE, AFRICA
Mozambique has a very small pool of local crew, all HOD’s should be brought in from South Africa or abroad
There is a limited amount of film gear available locally. Everything else must be brought in from South Africa or abroad.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Portuguese is the official language.
The Makua are the largest ethnic group and are dominant in the north of Mozambique. The Sena and Shona are prominent in the Zambezi valley. The Shangaan dominate southern Mozambique. Other groups include the Makonde, Yao, Swahili, Tonga, Chopi, and Nguni. Some Portuguese and Indian looks are also available. All other talent needs to be brought in from abroad.
