Discover Dominica as a filming location

FILM DOMINICA: The Dominica Film Commission

The Dominica Film Commission is a one-stop shop which takes care of all the producer's needs, facilitating and allowing one to film cost effectively, faster and better.

Services Offered

Services offered include: assistance with location scouting; identifying and securing locations; assistance with obtaining a film license, work permit exemptions, visa waivers, special import permits for items such as, firearm, (real or fake), explosives, animals, aerosol, motor vehicles, and fresh foods and meats, duty free exemption on all capital and other goods used for filming; assistance with sourcing local goods, services, talent and crew; and liaising between the production company and Government agencies and departments

Where is Dominica

Dominica is located in the Caribbean, in the middle of the island chain, between the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. It is accessible to the US mainland via San Juan, Puerto Rico and to Europe through Barbados, Antigua, Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Why Film in Dominica

The island is sparsely populated with around 70,000 people inhabiting its 289.5 square miles. Dominica is an arcadia of unspoiled nature. Tropical forests coat two thirds of the island, which nourishes 1,200 plant species. Rivers, lakes, streams, and waterfalls abound, fed by the islands high annual rainfall. Its volcanic physique points to extensive geothermal activity above and below sea level.

Untouched and unspoiled, Dominica is a filmmaker's paradise. It offers a variety of beautiful scenic and exotic locations. Identified as the Nature Island of the Dominica, the island offers jungle and swamp locations, grasslands, mangroves, reed and mudflats, lush virgin rainforests, over 300 cascading rivers, numerous waterfalls and freshwater lakes, one of the only boiling lakes existing in the world today, beautiful black and golden sand beaches, dramatic coastlines, towering mountains, unique Creole architecture and several other facets that make it a filmmaker's paradise!

Production Support

As a result of recent filming activity over the last three years Dominica has developed a pool of hardworking, resourceful and skilled local persons and artistic talent at competitive rates

Security

Filming island-wide poses no threat to filmmakers. There are no poisonous or dangerous animals on the island. There is no threat of terrorism on the island and Dominica boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the region

People

The country is made up mainly of people of African decent and there is an accessible pool of Caucasians who attend medical school there. It is also home to the few remaining Carib Indians in the Caribbean today.

Culture

Dominica boasts a rich creole cultural heritage which is showcased during Creole Week, the World Creole Music Festival and the Independence Celebrations which runs from the last week in October to the first week in November. During these periods all that is Dominican is celebrated, treating visitors to the island to a complete experience of Creole life, culture, cuisine, heritage and music.

Climate

Dominica offers a tropical climate all year with temperatures ranging from 78° - 89°F, constant trade winds and an average sunshine period of 8 hours per day. Weather is predictable; there are two seasons: Dry (Jan - June) and Rainy (July - Dec).

Language

English is the official language, spoken with a melodic French lilt, but a large portion of the population speaks Kwèyòl (Creole), with a few northern villages speaking an English dialect known as Kokoy. As a result, the local vernacular is strongly influenced by French, African and Amerindian words which are reflected in names of places and in expressions.

Procedures

All inquiries on filming in Dominica must be addressed to the Film Commissioner at filmdominica@dominica.dm.

Scouting will be facilitated by the Film Commission.

Once consideration is being given to filming in Dominica a completed Film Permit Application Form should be sent to the Film Commissioner along with a letter of intent to film, the outline of your project, the estimated time period of your production and requesting permission to film. Once permission has been granted to film, all permits and special requirements must be applied for through the Film Commission.

REQUIREMENTS

The Dominica Film Commission provides assistance in obtaining the waiver of work permits. All non-nationals are required to get Work Permits. Application for waivers must be submitted at least fifteen [15] days prior to arrival. For Work Permit Waivers a list of personnel including name, position, nationality, country of residence, date of birth, passport number, country of issue and expiration date, as well as estimated dates of arrival and departure must be submitted to the Film Commission along with two passport size photographs.
The Dominica Film Commission provides assistance in obtaining a waiver of import duties and taxes on equipment and supplies to be used in production. The equipment list must include a description of all equipment with name, serial number, country of origin, and value. This list must be submitted at least seven [7] working days prior to arrival. All equipment must be checked in/out with Customs on arrival and prior to departure.
All incoming film companies must provide a copy of their liability insurance to the Dominica Film Commission for the duration of their production in Dominica.
Impact Assessment Form outlining expenditure to service sectors in Dominica, employment, etc., must be completed and returned to the Dominica Film Commission within 7 days of departure from Dominica
A copy of the completed product is to be forwarded to the Dominica Film Commission on release.

FILMS AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS SHOT IN DOMINICA

1. Columbus - A Rank Studio's/ Gainsborough film (1948)

2. The Seventh Sign by tri-star Picture (1987)

3. The Orchid House by BBC Channel 4 (1991)

4. Wide Sargasso Sea By UWI

5. Once upon a Sunday

6. The Prenupt Challenge - Stonehenge Media (2005)

7. Pirates of the Caribbean- Dead Man's Chest (2005)

8. Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End (2007)

9. Pirate Master - Mark Burnett Productions (2007)

Dominica Film Commission

PO Box 293
Valley Road
Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica
Tel: 767.448.2045
Fax: 767.448.5840

Email: filmdominica@dominica.dm