In New Caledonia, applications for authorisation are required for any filming in a public space, and these vary from province to province. Administratively, in the Southern Province, it is the Bureau d’accueil des tournages that deals with each request, while in the North and the Loyalty Islands it is respectively the town halls of each commune and the provincial services that must be approached. The South Province film location office can, however, act as a gateway to these various services. Finally, you should be aware that in customary lands, it is also essential to request permission from the district chiefs beforehand and to make a customary gesture to the chiefs of the tribes concerned.
Shooting "Coup d'Brousse" series in New CaledoniaFilming Support
Apply for filming permits
Use local professionals:
- Fasteners
To simplify all your procedures, on-site logistics and contacts with local people, we strongly encourage foreign production teams to use a New Caledonian fixer. See the list of fixers.
- Technicians
- Dronists
There are dozens of dronists approved by the local authorities and therefore already authorised to film in New Caledonia. See the list of dronists.
- Diving cameramen
To identify sites and capture perfect images of the world’s most beautiful lagoon, choose experienced underwater videographers who are familiar with the local seabed. See the list of underwater cameramen.
- Players
A wide range of professional actors and thousands of Caledonian extras are also listed and available through the South Province Film Office.
- Equipment
Finally, in addition to hiring equipment from private production companies, the South Province can provide professional machinery (cranes, rails, dolly sets, etc.). See the request form.
Benefit from public funding
Financed by public institutions (Southern Province, Northern Province, Island Province and the Government of New Caledonia), as well as by New Caledonian broadcasters (Canal + Calédonie, NC la 1ère and Caledonia) and certain private partners (OPT, F.A.I.), the “New Caledonia Audiovisual and Film Support Fund” supports external productions that involve at least one of New Caledonia’s audiovisual production companies. To benefit from this support, film and reportage project developers are invited to contact the South Province film location office.
Using drones
Drone AkiyokoPlease note that European regulations on drone operations applicable elsewhere in France do not apply in New Caledonia. Remote pilots wishing to operate their drone in New Caledonia must therefore comply with the specific local rules by contacting the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) in advance. In addition, certain areas (air corridors, nature reserves, customary taboo areas, etc.) are subject to flight restrictions or bans. To find out where these are, the Civil Aviation Authority provides the “NC Drones” geolocation application for smartphones (available on Google Play and Apple Store).
Relying on New Caledonia Tourism
If you have any doubts about preparing for your shoot, or if you encounter any difficulties once you’re on location, don’t hesitate to contact the NCT teams, who will do everything they can to help. A dedicated team is specially tasked with advising and supporting international production teams. In addition, we have a large bank of royalty-free, professional-quality images (video rushes and photos) that we can make available on request to enhance your content.
