WHAT OUR LOCAL FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FILM LOCATIONS IN JAMAICA
The islands geography is as expressive and divers as its people and culture. Below is a brief introduction to a few of our film-friendly cities and major towns.
Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city.it is the center of commerce and industry on the island, boasting a spread of modern buildings inhabited by offices, factories, studios, shops, and recreation facilities. Kingston is further defined by a legacy of tropically adapted Georgian architecture, iconic sites such as the Trench Town Culture Yard, pockets of urban agriculture and exhilarating nightlife.
Port Royal is one of the most significant historical and archaeological sites in Jamaica, a quaint fishing village, with Fort Charles and a few other structures remaining as relics of its notorious past.
Spanish Town, Jamaica’s oldest continuously inhabited town. It was Jamaica’s first capital, the original town square is a historic monument, home to numerous memorials, the national archives and one of the oldest Anglican churches outside of the British Isles.
Mandeville, regarded as Jamaica’s mountain resort, a prosperous metropolis, and the islands fifth largest urban center.
Montego Bay (Mo-bay), Jamaica’s second largest city, a tourist mecca. Distinguished by its variety of year-round recreation and entertainment options, the city also has an international airport, a modern cruise ship pier and a growing industrial free zone area.
Negril, a seaside resort town located at the western tip of the island, whose borders extend from the Half Moon Bay in Hanover to the Negril Lighthouse in Westmoreland. Negrils beach is rated one of the top ten beaches in the world, a place where no building can be higher than the tallest palm tree, by law. The location is also prized for its diving sites, such as The Throne Room underwater cave.
Ocho Rios, specially known for its rivers, waterfalls, plantation tours and majestic tropical gardens. Located on the islands north coast, in the parish of St. Ann, travel inland and you will find Nine Mile, the birthplace of Robert Nesta Marley.
Port Antonio, located in the perennially lush parish of Portland, home to the Charles Town and Moore Town Maroons as well as the world-famous Blue Lagoon. Among the foremost historic structures located in Port Antonio are the DeMontevin Lodge (a guest house resembling a Victorian-style New England mansion).
SAFETY & SECURITY
There have been no safety or security crises on set in Jamaica to date.
Several private security companies are available to provide reliable infrastructural, remote or mobile security arrangements specific to your needs, including the protection of personnel, production equipment and other assets.
WEATHER
Jamaica enjoys relatively warm weather all year round. Wet seasons occur during May to June and September to November. The driest period is December to March.
WHAT OUR LOCAL FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT EQUIPMENT RENTAL, HIRING A LOCAL TEAM AND WORK PERMITS
Equipment rental, state-of-the-art, audio-visual, production and post-production equipment are available for rent. Equipment that is not available can be brought into the island with the assistance of industry specific incentives.
Hiring a local team, Jamaica is home to a large community of well-trained, highly experienced film professionals.
Work permits, crew and cast members who are required to be in Jamaica for more than 6 months, and are not Jamaican nationals, must apply for a work permit. Those who will be working in Jamaica for less than 6 months are eligible for exemptions. The Film Commission can facilitate work permit or work permit exemption applications.
DRONE OPERATION IN JAMAICA
Professional operators of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) must apply to the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) for permits and comply with all conditions included in permits granted, to exercise authority to operate UAVs. Depending on the radio frequency a UAV carries, a class license for operation in that frequency (issued by the Spectrum Management Authority) may also be necessary.
