Filming in South Africa: How to Film Successfully

South Africa's Filming Requirements: A Step by Step Guide

1. Apply For Filming Permit

A filming permit is required by all film crews to filming in public spaces in South Africa, including streets, parks, and government-owned buildings. Permits can be obtained from Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and Cape Town Film Commissions and the process is easy and straightforward. Here are the requirements for filming in each province.

Filming in Gauteng Province

The Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) recommends that filmmakers apply for permission at least 14 working days before filming is due to start.

The GFC will also help identify suitable filming locations – generic or scenic. They have an online Directory that offers listings of location scouts, location managers, facilitation companies and location agencies who offer services securing private locations.

Applications are made directly on their website. You will be requested for the following information:

• The project details
• The applicant's details
• The applying production company
• Crew details

For specific queries on film permits and locations requirements contact Priscilla Kolwane, the Information Officer at priscillak@gautengfilm.org.za and they will help.

Filming in Western Cape (Cape Town)

In Cape Town, Film permits are required for all film-related activity including; commercials, feature films, documentaries, micro shoots, music videos, short films, stills photography, student projects, TV films and productions, and TV pilots or series.

You do not need a film permit when filming a wedding ceremony or private celebration or when filming current affairs or news for immediate release. To apply for a film permit, please follow the process explained below:

The City’s online application system has streamlined this process, making it easier and more efficient. Before applying for a film permit, please make sure that you have registered as a user on the online film permit system.

Step 1: Visit the online film permit system.

Step 2: Complete each step of the booking process, providing as much information and detail as possible and then submit it.

Step 3: The City will log, confirm and process the booking and engage with you and relevant role-players.

Step 4: Once the booking has been confirmed, the CTFPO will assist with the identification and coordination of all approvals. It will also set the conditions of the permit.

Step 5: The City will issue the permit once it has been approved and send it to the email address you provided on the online booking system.

Filming in KwaZulu Natal

You need a film permit if you're doing any film, video, or photo shoots for commercial purposes on public property like roads, sidewalks, parks, beaches, or public buildings. You don’t need a permit if you’re shooting on private or residential property, as long as it doesn’t affect public areas.

The KZN Tourism and Film Authority’s Locations and Facilities team can help you find locations, crew, and service providers. The City’s permit process covers filming on both public and private land, especially if it impacts public spaces or uses public facilities. You’ll need a permit for activities like:

• Blocking traffic on city roads
• Blocking pedestrians on sidewalks
• Running cables or wires across sidewalks or road
• Using equipment like generators, tripods, or dollies on sidewalks or roads
• Affecting public parking, community spaces, beaches, or nature reserves managed by the city
• Making noise or air pollution

To apply for a filming permit in KwaZulu Natal, here’s what you need to do:

All production companies applying for permission to film must register with the Durban Film Office Commission and will be required to submit the following documents:

• Film Job Registration Form.
• Location Application Form.
• Application for traffic assistance (where applicable).
• Applications for road closures or ANY obstruction to traffic or pedestrian, use of any special effects / stunts / weapons must be made through the DFO, who will, in granting such permissions, provide the production company or person acting on their behalf with written confirmation from the relevant authority.
• Signed copy of the location code of conduct.
• Copy of Liability Insurance.
• Indemnity Form with R2 revenue stamp
• Neighborhood Notification: Depending on the nature of the shoot, the Durban Film Office may request signed proof of notification of the proposed activity to shop owners / vendors / adjacent properties within a 100-meter radius of the intended location.

Submit your application at least 3 working days before small shoots (up to 15 people, 6 vehicles, no road closures) or medium shoots (16-30 people, 7-15 vehicles, partial road closures), or 7 working days before big shoots (over 30 people, 16+ vehicles, full road closures, or special effects).

The representative will confirm availability within 1 working day, and you must confirm the booking within 1 day, or it expires. If your shoot involves extra activities like blocking roads, include those in your application.

The City’s Film Permit Office don’t approve or reject permits on their own—they team up with other departments to decide based on the City’s goals, laws, and practical needs. Each application is judged individually.

For specific details about filming for your production within KZN please contact the location and facilities unit: Productionsupport@kznfilm.co.za.

2. Pay Import Duty (If Applies)

If you bring goods into South Africa and plan to take them back out, both Temporary Import and ATA Carnet let you avoid paying customs duty or VAT, but they work differently. With a Temporary Import, you leave a deposit with South African customs when you bring the goods in, and you get it back when the goods leave. With an ATA Carnet, you pay the deposit in your home country instead, and it acts like a global pass for your goods—customs officials accept it instantly without extra paperwork, making it faster than the Temporary Import process.

Some examples of goods you might bring in this way are audio-visual equipment (like cameras or microphones), photographic gear, musical instruments, or lighting equipment—just to name a few. For more details on the ATA Carnet system, visit the South African Revenue Service website.

3. Apply For Visas

If you are a foreign national, you will need to obtain a visa to enter South Africa. There are countries which are required to apply for visas but are exempt from visa fees, e.g. India, Colombia, Mexico, etc. Please refer to the list of countries that pay for visa and if your country is not listed it means you do not need to pay for visa. 

Note: If your visit would exceed ninety days or if you want to travel to South Africa to study or to work, you will need to apply for a temporary residence visa instead of a visitor's visa. Requirements for a temporary residence visa are not the same with visitor's visa.

Yellow fever certificate is required only if the applicant is passing through yellow fever belt area before entering South Africa.

Foreigners who wish to visit South Africa must have passports / travel documents valid for thirty (30) more days after the intended return date from South Africa. The passport must contain at least two (2) unused (blank) pages labeled Visa when presented at the Embassy or Consulate; One page is for affixing the visa or permit at the Embassy/Consulate and the other page is for endorsement of entry/departure stamp by the South African Immigration Services.

4. Find A Local Film Producer or Fixer

Finding a local fixer or registered production company can save you time. Registered fixers are experienced producers already familiar with the application and filming processes. They have established relationships that make navigating the film process easier and faster for you. VideoPro Africa offers pre-vetted, registered videographers, fixers, and producers who can assist with your filming needs. Check out the best options at the bottom of this guide.

5. South African National Parks Permits (SANParks) (If Needed)

As from 4 August 2009, SANParks has instituted the following procedure for applications for permits for filming and photography in National Parks:

• All application forms can be downloaded from this website and should be emailed or faxed through to the address or number on the application form.
• Please go through the tariff document before filling in the application form as once an invoice for the application has been filled out, no amendments can be made.
• Once an application has been filled and sent to SANParks, the application will be evaluated to assess the impact of the activity.
• Should the application be successful, an invoice will be issued and only after proof of payment has been sent to SANParks, will a permit be issued.

See the sidebar to visit SANParks's website or send an email to Khumbulani Tshabalala to get more information: khumbulani.tshabalala@sanparks.org

Film Permit Filming Fees

The cost of a filming permit in South Africa varies depending on the type of production and which municipality you are filming in. For detailed filming tariffs, kindly visit the downloads section for more information.

South Africa's Popular Locations

South Africa’s filming locations are defined by their variety and distinctiveness. The scenery spans mountains, tropical beaches, deserts, and jungles, with some areas resembling the Scottish countryside or the Alps. Cityscapes range from Victorian architecture to modern designs, alongside peasant-style villages and slums, offering a broad spectrum of urban and rural settings. A first-class film studio outside Cape Town includes water tanks, numerous sets, and stages, built to support complex productions. Technical crews speak English natively and bring expertise, while equipment is readily available for hire, and extras come from diverse racial backgrounds. City authorities cooperate easily, accommodation is abundant, affordable, and decent, and sunny weather is typical, creating consistent filming conditions.

What sets these locations apart is their unique visual appeal and proven track record. Cape Town’s craggy, oceanfront cityscape blends rugged cliffs with urban life, a combo that’s caught the eye of major films. Johannesburg, dubbed the City of Gold, pulses with a mix of cultures and energy, distinct from quieter rural spots. The Karoo and Golden Gate Highlands National Park stretch out as vast, arid expanses, delivering raw, dramatic backdrops unlike the lush or coastal alternatives. These places have starred on the big screen because they offer something specific—unusual textures, striking contrasts, and a sense of place that’s hard to replicate. Films shot here highlight how these spots can shift from gritty to grand, making them worth a look for anyone curious about cinematic landscapes.