Filming In Montserrat

Montserrat does not provide the typical Caribbean landscape of white sand beaches and aquamarine waters all around the island. It has lush, green forests, ebony sand beaches, breathtaking views, quirky nooks and crannies and because of the volcanic eruptions in 1995 and 1997, a very unique and dramatic buried city (the capital, Plymouth) which can prove to be a captivating backdrop for documentaries, videos and feature films.

The Montserrat Tourism Division facilitates film and video productions by assisting with securing permissions, scouting locations and acting as a liaison between visiting film/photography producers and relevant Government agencies.

SHOOTING VISUALS

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILMING ON ISLAND:

  • Details of your visits to our website and the resources that you access, including, but not limited to, traffic data, location data, weblogs and other communication data.
  • Information that you provide by filling in forms on our website, such as when you registered for information or make a purchase.
  • A formal letter or email requesting permission to conduct the project in Montserrat, including a brief company biography and a description of the nature of the project.
  • The Film Registration Application Form (attached for your convenience) must be completed.
  • Under Montserrat Labour Code section 127/2/o, writers, journalists, broadcasters, photographers, sculptors and painters (excluding commercial and industrial photographers and painters) may be exempted from the requirements of a work permit. The Montserrat Tourism Division can facilitate this with the Office of the Labour Commissioner.
  • Filming with children – Proof should be submitted that the child/children involved in a film production would be schooled whilst on island.
  • A detailed list of all film/photo equipment, merchandise, etc. being used in the project and the corresponding arrival information is required.
  • The equipment must be removed from the Territory upon the completion of the project. It is encouraged that all the equipment, human and other resources that are available in Montserrat be utilized before other options are explored.
  • Please be advised that if your production intends to use a drone, as described in ASSI Information Paper No 5 ‘Legal Requirements’ for the use of Small Unmanned Aircraft, a SUA or SUSA has a mass of 20kg or less: http://www.airsafety.aero/sua/
  • Accommodations (Where will you be staying on island?)
  • List of all persons participating in the project along with their travel itineraries and passport information (data page).
  • A location itinerary or production schedule for the film project.
  • Permission must be granted by the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA), Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) and the Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS) to film Plymouth or any areas in the Exclusion Zone (Zone V). Please note that the RMPS has established set fees to enter Plymouth. A certified taxi driver and/or tour guide is required to access Zone V. These can be coordinated by the Montserrat Tourism Division.
  • At least one copy of the finished product (e.g. documentary, video, etc.) is required for the Montserrat Tourism Division’s files. Filming Registration Application.