Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago — a dual-island territory seven miles off the coast of Vene­zuela — offers a variety of environments such as beaches, jungles, mountains and swamps, alongside vibrant cities including the capital Port of Spain, Couva and Scarborough, and a small but capable local film industry. Coupled with the territory’s all-year-round warm, tropical climate and its competitive roster of tax rebates available for a range of budgets, Trinidad and Tobago is looking to up its attraction for international film and high-end TV producers.

“International filmmakers come to Trinidad and Tobago for the country’s rich and diverse culture. It is a melting pot of cultures, with African, Indian, Chinese, European and Middle Eastern influences,” says Leslie Ann Wills-Caton, film commissioner at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company, the national film body known as FilmTT. “Our country is renowned for its carnival celebrations, which attract millions of visitors every year. Filmmakers are often inspired by the energy and colour of the carnival and incorporate it into their productions.”

While the country has not played host to an international film production recently, Wills-Caton notes the uptick in nature programmes and reality shows filmed against the territory’s rainforests, coral reefs and savannahs. Several production banners from the UK, Canada and the Netherlands filmed projects backed by streamers, broadcasters and platforms including a FIFA documentary for Netflix, A Year On Planet Earth for the BBC and Naked And Afraid, Discovery’s longrunning survivalist show.

The country is largely English-speaking but boasts a growing Spanish-speaking population due to migration from Venezuela. It has a trained and talented crew base that can service up to two small- to medium-sized features at any given time. In addition, FilmTT has a checklist of experienced producers and offers a range of services, including production support, financing and location scouting. Despite not boasting a major studio facility, there are a number of production houses that can provide the basics and accommodate small-scale productions.

“It’s true that Trinidadians and Tobagonians love to party and enjoy good food but be assured this does not mean we are not serious about our work,” says Wills-Caton.

“We take pride in our work and our commitment to excellence. We believe a positive and enjoyable work environment can enhance productivity and creativity, and that’s why we strive to create a fun atmosphere on set.”

Trinidad and Tobago is a tropical dual-island republic with beaches stretching roughly 200 miles. The more populated Trinidad is served by an airport about 40 minutes from island capital Port of Spain, with regular flights to the US, Latin America and London, and slightly more convoluted journeys to other parts of the world. Car rental services, taxis, RideShare (similar to Uber), or hiring a transport provider through FilmTT’s production directory are on-the-ground options.

First person to contact

Leslie Ann Wills-Caton, general manager/film commissioner Trinidad and Tobago: leslieann.caton@filmtt.gov.tt