• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • REVIEWS
    • TRAILERS
  • BUSINESS
  • CELEBRITIES
  • HOLLYWOOD
  • REGIONAL
  • TV
  • MUSIC
  • TOP LISTS

Bollywood Presents

Exotic locations where popular Bollywood movies were shot

You are here: Home / Awards & Film Festivals / Filming in Fiji: Interview with Fiji Audio Visual Commission’s CEO

Filming in Fiji: Interview with Fiji Audio Visual Commission’s CEO

October 29, 2015 by BollywoodPresents Team

Here’s an interview with Florence Swamy, who’s the Chief Executive Officer of Fiji Audio Visual Commission’s (FAVC), the Government agency responsible for the development and promotion of the audio visual industry in Fiji.

Filming in Fiji: Interview with Fiji Audio Visual Commission’s CEO

In the past several big Hollywood movies have been filmed here, and in recent times few Bollywood films have also been shot in Fiji. Fiji is a diverse & beautiful country and the ethnic groups here speak Hindi and Chinese. almost everybody speaks English here.

Here Florence Swamy talks about why it makes sense to film in Fiji, and the role of Fiji Audio Visual Commission in promoting the country to filmmakers around the world.

More about FAVC
The Fiji Audio Visual Commission (FAVC) offers a free service to any production wanting to film in Fiji, regardless of the type of project. This year we’ve had several TV shows and documentaries and couple of feature films from India. All locations approvals and permits were done through the FAVC.

More about the Geography & people of Fiji
Fiji is a tropical paradise known for its lush vegetation; its located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, north of New Zealand and north-west of Australia.

Fiji is made up of around 330 tiny islands, about 100 of which are inhabited. Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are the biggest islands, and the next largest are Taveuni, Kadavu, Gau and Koro. Fiji has two cities – Lautoka and Suva, which is also the capital – and both are on the island of Viti Levu. The islands are surrounded by sandy beaches and reefs with mountains covering the centre of most of the islands. Most of the land is owned by indigenous Fijians and less than 4 percent is actually owned by the state.

Fiji is blessed with a tropical South Sea maritime climate without great extremes of heat or cold. The islands are susceptible to tropical cyclones – about one a year – but this is mostly only between November and April. Temperatures average 22°Celsius for the cooler months (May to October) and from November to April temperatures are higher with heavy downpours. The rainfall increases as you go further inland and the wettest months are December to April, especially over the larger islands. From May to October conditions are drier, particularly on the western and northern sides of the main islands.

Movies that have been filmed in Fiji in the past
Several Hollywood films have already been shot in this country, so they have an established history of filmmaking in Fiji. Movies like Blue Lagoon; Cast Away; Eco-Challenge; Anacondas, Survivor Fiji, Boot Camp were shot here. In recent times, few Bollywood films have also been shot here.

Incentive for filming in Fiji
Fiji has a competitive but stable exchange rate, experience in film production, and its well connected with the world.

Local labour and material costs are low compared to several other countries, and Fiji has a high literacy rate. The people are English-speaking and most ethnic groups also speak languages like Hindi and Chinese.

Connectivity with the rest of the world is also good; there are direct flight to and from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Korea and most of the Pacific Island countries.

Which locations are commonly used by film and TV crews for filming in Fiji?
Production companies are usually drawn to its beautiful beaches, waterfalls and jungles, but productions have also used its urban centres well in the past.

An extensive range of locations have been used in movies, from remote islands and resorts to bustling towns and cities, pubs, jungles, rivers.

More locations that filmmakers should consider in the future
Fiji has doubled for many different locations such as New York, Borneo and Chennai in India, courtesy Fiji’s several bustling metropolitan cities and colonial towns, which many people are unaware of.

We have British colonial buildings such as Government House, the wider Government buildings and colonial mansions, which have stood still in time.

There are also large sand dunes which can be used as desert locations. However, there’s more to its beaches, waterfalls and jungles.

Fiji also has the best dive spots on the Astrolabe reefs, great surf and fabulous beaches, isolated but accessible islands, lush jungles with tropical flora and fauna. There’s also flora and fauna which are unique to Fiji. Legend has it the red prawns on the island of Vatulele come up to the surface of the lake when sacred words are chanted.

When to come, where to land, where to stay?
Productions should ideally let us know their production schedules in advance. We can then advise on weather conditions to help get around our wet and dry seasons.

Nadi International Airport is where most international flights arrive and depart from. It’s on the western part of the main island, Viti Levu. It’s a 20-minute flight from there to the capital, Suva, or a three-hour scenic drive along the coast.

Most hotels are film-friendly but there are high and low tourist seasons. Once a location is chosen, it’s wise to talk to hotels around the area on the availability of rooms for crews as they may be booked out during a heavy tourist season.

Fiji is great for tourists too
Fiji is also a great place to have fun and to relax; in fact Fiji is the ultimate tourist destination. There are plenty of facilities in which to relax and play (golf, big-game fishing, surfing, hot air ballooning, white-water rafting, scuba diving and snorkelling) in one of the world’s most pristine and diverse marine environments. Fiji also has a lively night life and buzzing local markets.

Related Posts:

  • Kangana Ranaut exposes Bollywood mafia in explosive…

Filed Under: Awards & Film Festivals

RELATED POSTS

Aamir Khan Perfectionist

Top 7 films which demonstrate why Aamir Khan is known as the Perfectionist in Bollywood

Aamir Khan is known as the ‘perfectionist’ in Bollywood. When it comes to his roles, he always gives his 100 percent. Its not for nothing that people in the film industry call him a perfectionist; Aamir is always ready for new challenges. Here are the films in which Aamir got into the skin of his […]

Top online ‘Radio Stations’ that play bollywood, hindi music & songs

Top online Radio stations that play the best Bollywood & Hindi music / songs. Now you can listen to popular Bollywood hindi music from the best bollywood radio stations, right on your computer. The history of radio in India stretches way back to the pre-independence days. While decades back radio was a medium of mass […]

jokes

Now Jokes & Memes on Bollywood’s ‘Babuji’ Alok Nath, Joins Rajinikant and ACP Pradyuman

I’m sure you would have heard several jokes on Rajinikant, and probably some on ACP Pradyuman as well. But the latest Bollywood actor who’s been the butt of jokes on social media lately is actor Alok Nath (known for his ‘Sanskari’ roles, mostly playing the father who upholds family values and virtues, in both television […]

professional gambler

For Bollywood Celebrities, some festivals aren’t over without Gambling

While gambling may be seen as a vice in some parts of India, people do indulge in it once in a while, just for the fun of it. After all, it’s common to see casinos in movies, and movies show gambling as something that the rich and famous like to indulge in. Besides, its common […]

Danny Denzongpa

Danny Denzongpa, the stylish and suave Bollywood baddie

One of the most sophisticated and stylish villains in Bollywood, Danny Denzongpa is the ultimate baddie who is ruthless and shows no mercy. While he has always impressed as the bad guy, the FTII alumni has played a wide range of characters, including that of a hero. In fact, Danny Denzongpa started his filmi career […]

Top 10 Highest Paid TV Actors of Indian Television

Here we take a look at some of the highest paid actors (male and female) working in the hindi television industry. Some of the bigger names on Indian television are seen even in Bollywood movies nowadays, so they are the stars of the television industry. Some times back, we had written an article on the […]

Big Ben London

London’s ‘Big Ben’ to undergo renovations, to go silent for four years

During the renovation period, Londoners will still be able to glance at the Big Ben and tell the time, but no chimes will be heard. For millions of visitor, London is represented by a single iconic building: Big Ben, the most recognizable clock in the world. The four-faced chiming clock is also the largest in […]

Raju Hirani

#MeToo: Rajkumar Hirani accused of sexual harassment

Now this is a shocker! Film director Rajkumar Hirani has been accused of sexual assault by woman who worked on ‘Sanju’ as one of his Assistant Directors. Hirani has denied the allegations, which were detailed in an email that was sent by the woman to ‘Sanju’ co-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra, his wife (and film critic) […]

bollywood real estate

Here’s why Bollywood actors are busy shifting homes

It seems more than half of Bollywood actors are busy shifting homes, especially the younger lot. While some of the actors are moving homes due to change in personal relationships (divorce, breakups, marriage), there are many who’re moving because cash is rolling in for them (thanks to a few hits). Lets checkout who’s moving where […]

Bollywood in England

Bollywood in England, the Country of Shakespeare & The Beatles

India’s connection with England goes back to several centuries, and as such there’s a lot that is common between these two countries. Both love cricket, both are part of the Commonwealth, people in the UK love Indian curry, and of-course the huge community from the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) love to watch Bollywood films. […]

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jitendra Arya says

    January 30, 2017 at 12:08 pm

    We, KASTOORI ARYAN CINE ARTS, is a Production House n planned to produce a Hindi Romantic Film in near future with very beautiful songs n a unique love story, part of which is scheduled to shoot in Fiji.
    I would like to know that what type of facilities will be provided in searching locations and what concessions will be made available by FAVC, Fiji and also the cost to us for every thing in Fiji.
    My mobile number will be switched off upto 18th February for some unavoidable reasons.

    Jitendra Arya

Primary Sidebar

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

RECENT POSTS

Bollywood in Poland, Country with Medieval Hot Spots & Energetic Cities

Poland is located in the heart of Europe and is well known for its history, which is reflected in … [Read More...] about Bollywood in Poland, Country with Medieval Hot Spots & Energetic Cities

movie trailers

Top Forthcoming Bollywood Movies (& Trailers): Upcoming Entertainers for 2021

Want to know when the next entertainer of your favorite star is going to be released? Want to plan … [Read More...] about Top Forthcoming Bollywood Movies (& Trailers): Upcoming Entertainers for 2021

National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC)

Social Impact of Bollywood on Indian culture

Movies are one of the most influential tools of communication and society does learn a few things or … [Read More...] about Social Impact of Bollywood on Indian culture

bollywood rapes

Representation of women in Bollywood Films

Women in Bollywood films have been subject to stereotypes and objectification, and appeared in … [Read More...] about Representation of women in Bollywood Films

Music Scene in Saudi Arabia

How's the music Scene in Saudi Arabia. Is it really frowned upon? Read more here. Young musicians in … [Read More...] about Music Scene in Saudi Arabia

Shabana Azmi

Shabana Azmi: One of the finest actors of Indian cinema

Shabana Azmi, an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) of Pune, made her film … [Read More...] about Shabana Azmi: One of the finest actors of Indian cinema

war movie

Here’s how much Hrithik Roshan was paid for his 2019 hit film ‘War’

Hrithik Roshan is a superstar in Bollywood and is among the highest paid actors in the film … [Read More...] about Here’s how much Hrithik Roshan was paid for his 2019 hit film ‘War’

sooryavanshi movie

Bollywood facing losses of 5000+ crore due to pandemic lockdown

Almost everybody associated with the film industry is despondent about the future. With COVID-19 … [Read More...] about Bollywood facing losses of 5000+ crore due to pandemic lockdown

Money Scandals

Indian film celebrities caught in Tax Controversies

In Bollywood and other film industries in India, there's a saying that "there's no business like the … [Read More...] about Indian film celebrities caught in Tax Controversies

celebrity endorsements

It’s 2020 and Bollywood is still obsessed with fair skin

Makers of the upcoming movie 'Khaali Peeli', starring Ananya Panday and Ishaan Khatter, are facing … [Read More...] about It’s 2020 and Bollywood is still obsessed with fair skin

Amazon Fashion

Useful Read

  • Who coined the term ‘Bollywood’?
  • Dadasaheb Phalke (Father of Indian Cinema)
  • Evolution of Hindi Films
  • Social Impact of Bollywood on Indian culture

Footer

Upcoming Bollywood Movies

  • Love Aaj Kal Movie
  • Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele Movie
  • Hawayein Movie
  • Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan Movie
  • The Hundred Bucks Movie
  • BHOOT: Part One – The Haunted Ship Movie
  • Haunted Hills Movie
  • 'O' Pushpa I Hate Tears Movie
  • Guns Of Banaras Movie
  • Thappad Movie

Bollywood Movie Reviews

  • Malang Review
  • Jawaani Jaaneman Review
  • Panga Review
  • Street Dancer 3D Review
  • Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior Review
  • Chhapaak Review
  • Good Newwz Review

Top Celebs

  • Ajay Devgn
  • Kajol
  • Saif Ali Khan
  • Shraddha Kapoor
  • Varun Dhawan
  • Deepika Padukone
  • Kangana Ranaut
  • Tabu
  • Aditya Roy Kapur
  • Disha Patani
  • Rajinikanth

About Us

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Sitemap
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in