Checklist for Filming a Foreign Production in Colombia

Colombia has become an increasingly attractive destination for international film and audiovisual productions thanks to its diverse locations, experienced crews, production infrastructure, and incentive programs. For international producers, however, choosing Colombia as a filming destination is only the first step.

A foreign production must address legal, financial, logistical, and operational considerations before cameras start rolling.

This checklist covers the key elements producers should consider when planning an international production in Colombia.

1. Define the scope of the production

Before starting any administrative or logistical process, it is important to clearly define:

• Type of production: feature film, series, documentary, commercial, music video, etc.

• Number of shooting days.

• Number of international crew members.

• Number of local crew members.

• Required locations.

• Technical requirements.

• Transportation and accommodation needs.

• Production services required.

• Estimated budget to be spent in Colombia.

• Tentative pre-production and shooting dates.

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This information will help determine the appropriate production structure and assess which incentives or support mechanisms may apply.

2. Find a local production partner

One of the first steps should be identifying a local production company with experience in international productions.

A local partner can help with:

• Developing the Colombian production budget.

• Hiring local crew.

• Coordinating vendors.

• Managing locations.

• Organizing transportation and accommodation.

• Handling permits.

• Managing local logistics.

• Coordinating with authorities and institutions.

• Supporting production throughout the shoot.

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For an international team, having a local partner is not simply about outsourcing services. It means having professionals who understand how production works on the ground in Colombia.

3. Evaluate your locations

Colombia offers remarkable geographic diversity within a relatively compact territory: major cities, coastlines, rainforests, mountains, deserts, historic towns, and rural landscapes.

But finding a visually compelling location is only part of the process.

Each location should also be evaluated based on:

• Accessibility.

• Permits.

• Infrastructure.

• Electricity availability.

• Space for equipment.

• Vehicle access.

• Security.

• Weather conditions.

• Travel times between locations.

• Hotel capacity.

• Availability of local vendors.

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A spectacular location that requires four hours of daily travel can have a significant impact on both the production schedule and budget.

4. Build the production budget

The budget should cover not only shooting costs, but also all expenses associated with bringing and operating an international production in Colombia.

These may include:

• Local crew.

• International crew.

• Equipment.

• Locations.

• Permits.

• Transportation.

• Accommodation.

• Catering.

• Insurance.

• Art department.

• Wardrobe.

• Hair and makeup.

• Security.

• Logistics.

• Post-production.

• Legal and accounting services.

• Local taxes and other applicable obligations.

  
  

An international production budget should reflect the actual conditions on the ground rather than simply converting a foreign budget into Colombian pesos.

5. Review available incentives

Colombia has specific mechanisms designed to attract international audiovisual productions, including the CINA (Audiovisual Investment Certificate) and the Fondo Fílmico Colombia (Colombia Film Fund).

These mechanisms have specific eligibility requirements, procedures, and conditions, so they should be evaluated before incorporating potential incentives into the project's financial model.

A local production partner can help assess the project's eligibility and determine how these mechanisms may fit into the overall production structure.

6. Review visas and documentation for international crew

Before confirming travel arrangements, review the immigration requirements applicable to every member of the international team.

Requirements may vary depending on:

• Nationality.

• Length of stay.

• Activities to be performed in Colombia.

• Type of production.

• Nature of the individual's participation.

  
  

This process should begin well in advance rather than just a few days before the shoot.

7. Plan filming permits

Depending on the locations and activities involved, different permits and authorizations may be required.

These may include:

• Public spaces.

• Government buildings.

• National parks and protected areas.

• Roads and highways.

• Heritage sites.

• Airports.

• Private properties.

• Institutional facilities.

• Drone operations.

  
  

Responsibility for identifying and obtaining these permits should be clearly assigned within the production team.

8. Hire local crew

Colombia has a growing pool of experienced professionals and technicians who have worked on both local and international productions.

The production should define its requirements for:

• Heads of department.

• Production crew.

• Camera and lighting teams.

• Technical crew.

• Casting.

• Background actors.

• Drivers.

• Security personnel.

• Production assistants.

  
  

Working conditions, contracts, insurance, fees, working hours, and applicable labor obligations should also be clearly established.

9. Resolve equipment and logistics

Before traveling, determine which equipment will be brought from the country of origin and which equipment or services can be sourced locally.

For example:

From the country of origin

• Specific cameras.

• Lenses.

• Specialized equipment.

• VFX or technical equipment.

  
  

In Colombia

• Grip.

• Lighting.

• Generators.

• Walkie-talkies.

• Production vehicles.

• Trucks.

• Catering.

• General production equipment.

  
  

This decision can have a significant impact on both the budget and the logistics of bringing equipment into the country.

10. Review insurance and risk management

Every international production should have a clear insurance and risk-management strategy.

Consider reviewing:

• Production insurance.

• General liability.

• Equipment insurance.

• Vehicles.

• Workplace accidents.

• Travel insurance.

• Location-related risks.

• Special activities.

Weather, transportation, remote locations, and medical requirements should also be considered when developing the production's risk-management plan.

11. Create a transportation and accommodation plan

Colombia's geography is diverse, and travel times can have a major impact on a production.

The plan should account for:

• Airports.

• Hotels.

• Crew transportation.

• Cast transportation.

• Production vehicles.

• Equipment trucks.

• Travel between locations.

• Actual travel times.

• Meals during long transfers.

  
  

Good logistical planning can prevent valuable shooting time from being lost to transportation issues.

12. Build a realistic production schedule

The production schedule should cover much more than the shooting days.

It should include:

Pre-production → Scouting → Permits → Hiring → Preparation → Shooting → Wrap → Equipment returns → Administrative close-out

It is also advisable to include contingency time for:

• Weather.

• Transportation delays.

• Location changes.

• Cast availability.

• Technical issues.

• Administrative delays.

  
  

Final Checklist

Before confirming a foreign production in Colombia, make sure you have addressed:

PRODUCTION

☐ Project scope defined

☐ Preliminary budget prepared

☐ Production schedule established

☐ Local production partner selected

LOCATIONS

☐ Location scouting completed

☐ Locations confirmed

☐ Required permits identified

☐ Accessibility assessed

☐ Security assessed

CREW & TALENT

☐ Local crew hired

☐ International crew confirmed

☐ Casting completed

☐ Contracts prepared

LOGISTICS

☐ Equipment requirements defined

☐ Transportation organized

☐ Accommodation booked

☐ Catering arranged

☐ Insurance reviewed

LEGAL & FINANCIAL

☐ Contractual structure established

☐ Immigration requirements reviewed

☐ Filming permits secured

☐ Labor obligations reviewed

☐ Incentive eligibility assessed

☐ Accounting and tax structure established

SHOOTING

☐ Call sheets prepared

☐ Contingency plan established

☐ Department coordination confirmed

☐ Safety protocols in place

☐ Communication between international and local teams established

Colombia: Plan Your Production Before You Shoot

A foreign production should not arrive in Colombia to start solving problems.

Much of the work that determines the success of a shoot happens before the camera arrives on set.

A well-structured budget, a realistic schedule, carefully selected locations, an experienced local crew, and a properly established legal and financial structure can make the difference between a complicated production and an efficient one.

At Synestesys, we work with international producers and production companies looking to develop and produce audiovisual projects in Colombia, providing local expertise in production, location scouting, crew, logistics, budgeting, and international production coordination.