Permits FAQ’s

There may be other time limitations on venue availability when security and road usage are fully stretched. These include:

• Christmas / New Year
• Easter / Freedom Day
• Large Yachting Events
• All Major Events, i.e. World Triathlon Series, Festivals & V&A Events
• Month end Saturdays and Sundays

Film / Photographic Productions in the V&A must strive to:

• Prevent damage to the environment, natural or built
• Prevent damage to historic or cultural sites
• Protect flora and fauna
• Do not feed or interfere with wild animals, seals and sea birds
• Legally dispose of all waste, including catering and set construction materials and recycle
• Minimize use of physical resources.

With more than 2 million people visiting the V&A every month, the roads into and out of the V&A are typically very difficult to close, even for intermittent closure. Significant consultation with the V&A – including the production of a traffic management plan – would therefore typically be required. Any permitted road closures may only occur under the supervision of V&A security.  Dock Road and Breakwater Boulevard are not to be closed at any time.

Production vehicles may only park in designated areas / zones and may not block driveways, access/exit ramps, fire hydrants or fire routes. Parking is not allowed on the internal sites in the V&A, only in official parking areas. Base Camp parking is also encouraged and takes place on The Lookout open parking area only when there are no events taking place in the venue. All parking regulations shall be adhered to.

Application to remove / alter signage must be made at time of application. The removal / alteration / restitution of signage is the responsibility of the V&A, and this cost will be for the production company if allowed.

Directional Signs with the name of the Film Company may not be placed on street poles, traffic light or command poles. If this is required for major shoots a proposal must be sent to the V&A Permit Office in advance for assessment and permissions. If allowed all signage must be removed within 24 hours of the shoot subject to V&A removal of the signs at Company expense.

Electricity points are not always available on sites within the V&A Waterfront and if required silent generators can be brought in by the film / photographic company at the production companies own cost.  If a 15-amp electricity point is available for use on the site, this will be metered, depending on the magnitude of the shoot.

Sets, structures or facades may not impede or obstruct the V&A’s CCTV cameras. Security reserves the right to halt any filming should production equipment or personnel be an obstruction to V&A Waterfront activity. The film crew would be obliged to dismantle any obstruction immediately.

Permission for the construction of sets, facades and structures is required and full diagrams and plans to be submitted to the V&A Waterfront Permit Office

The V&A must be advised in writing, with a letter of permission from the appropriate department of the SAPS should explosives, flammable liquids or weaponry (with blanks) be required. Information regarding all intended discharges is to be included in the application. All costs associated with the requirements are for the film company account.

Only non-toxic, non-pollutant smoke machines are permissible. All permit conditions must be complied with.

Due to the proximity of the working harbor and SA Customs, drones are not allowed for filming at the V&A Waterfront.

Use of motorized vehicles is by special arrangement only. Launch of watercraft may only take place at prescribed launch sites, and if confirmed would need to travel at slow speeds within the Waterfront Marina / Harbour. The area is full of seals and fish life.

An appropriate Emergency Care Practitioner, who meets the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s standards, should be on standby for film shoots. All shoots must have an approved first aid kit on set and must be available at all times for use by a qualified first aider or ECP. The V&A Waterfront have a contract with ER24 who have an office on site. Should you wish to use this service the Permit Office will give you the information required.

All caterers are to be in possession of a certificate of acceptability and relevant business license.

Cleaning up of locations after shoots is the responsibility of the film company. All waste and litter is to be removed from the location and disposed of in an authorized manner. Cleaning must take place with the minimum amount of noise and disruption to return the site to its original condition.

Lighting is to be oriented away from residents, business and hotels

Only “blimped” generators are allowed, and these must be placed so that noise and exhaust fumes do not cause a disturbance.

It is the responsibility of the production company to ensure that crew conduct themselves in a safe and professional manner. A guide to expected conduct, based on existing agreed industry protocols, is attached (see Annexure A)

Applicants must complete the official online Permit Application Form. No other form of application will be accepted. The form must be submitted to the V&A four to six days before the proposed shoot day. The application must include detailed information about the shoot to facilitate the decision-making process across affected departments, and will not allow you to enter the site before reading and agreeing to the Terms and Conditions. Please see attached printed version of the form.

Production Companies may make pencil bookings of desired locations. Pencil Bookings must be confirmed within 48 hours through payment of the required fees. Pencil Bookings automatically lapse after a 48 hour period.

The V&A’s Permit Office has the delegated authority to issue permits itself. Its role is to coordinate permit applications with the relevant department on behalf of the applicant, ensuring timely cross-departmental approvals. The V&A office will therefore assist with the identification of the necessary decision-makers and ensure that they are made aware of the need for inputs, before a permit can be issued.

Permit Applications are assessed according to:

• The scale and nature of the impact of filming / photographing upon the site and its tenants and visitors
• Internal Policies and Procedures, relevant National / Provincial / City Legislation, regulations and by-laws affecting the site.

This is included in the Application form and a field that must be ticked off before the form is sent to the V&A Waterfront Permit Office.

The V&A will issue a pro-forma invoice detailing the film permit fee. This will include the range of services required by the V&A for the successful delivery of the shoot. Tariffs are calculated according to the V&A’s rate card (published / updated annually – See Annexure C.). Payment must be made in full before the permit can be issued.

After processing the application and payment, the V&A Film / Photographic Permit Office will issue a permit, subject to a range of relevant conditions of approval.

The permit specifies the date for the shoot and is valid for the given time/date only. However, the V&A may consider changes to the permit subject to written application, and satisfaction that the changes are substantially similar to the original application. The permit must be amended accordingly.

The Film / Photographic Company must liaise with a tenant directly to film within a tenancy and inform the V&A Waterfront Permit Office that they are doing so. The Permit Office can assist with contacts for tenants should this be required. If the Film / Photographic Company is going to film on the outside of the tenancy then it must have permission and a permit from the V&A Permit Office.

The V&A may require a professional Film Unit Location Officer or Environmental Control Officer to be hired to monitor the shoot at the expense of the production company.  A copy of the permit and the receipt of payment must be carried with the production at all times.

Should a production company fail to comply with any of the permit conditions, production may be stopped by V&A Security at any time. The V&A will maintain a record of infringements in order to facilitate an ongoing review of the permit system and locations management in the V&A.

The legalities covered in the International Location Release Form are covered substantially in the V&A Waterfront Application Form (in the Terms and Conditions). The V&A will not sign off any external release form as we work with South African law in case of dispute.

The V&A Waterfront offers lei​​sure and business travellers an impressive selection of accommodation, ranging from budget-friendly to the finest five-star luxury, all of which are located in our exceptional surroundings. We are located within walking distance of the Cape Town City Centre and the surrounding suburbs of Sea Point, Mouille Point and Greenpoint. Click on the following link for more information on our hotels and self-catering options on:-

https://www.waterfront.co.za/stay/hotels-at-the-vanda

https://www.waterfront.co.za/stay/self-catering

The V&A Waterfront is home to some of Cape Town’s best restaurants, with over 80 eateries for our visitors to choose from. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat out in Cape Town, we feature flavours from around the world and options to suit every budget. Whether you are looking for a quick bite from our world-class food market or a more leisurely experience at some of our unique fine dining restaurants, we have something for everyone. Choose from a wide range of eateries with Table Mountain and sea views or indoor cafes, delis and casual dining eateries spread across the property.

Click on the following link for further information on our dining options:-

https://www.waterfront.co.za/Eat/overview

There are a number of commercial spaces available in the various precincts
of the V&A Waterfront, ranging from those steeped in Cape Town’s heritage
to those boasting innovative architecture and technology.
For further information on whether anything is available for your shoot, contact prandall@waterfront.co.za

The V&A Waterfront has long recognized the importance and the valuable contribution of film and media production to the economic and cultural development and wellbeing of the City and Province. Through this document the V&A aims to create a “film and photographic friendly environment” that encourages filming/photographic right across the 123-hectare site.

The V&A offers a vibrant film hub that’s unique in Southern Africa. It includes a range of diverse locations, from modern office complexes and shopping malls, to historic buildings, a working harbour and marina, helipads, a variety of hotels, exciting public spaces, galleries, museums, cinemas and theatres. It includes specific film services within the Waterfront Film Studios complex. The precinct offers flexible office space in a variety of categories per square metre, to meet a range of budgets. And the hotels and restaurants on site make for an ideal base for inbound production crews from around the world. Finally, the V&A’s retail mix includes a range of goods, services, products and facilities that the film industry can use.

The V&A has therefore adopted a site-wide approach that filming is ’everyone’s business’.  However, whilst we aim to create a pro-film environment, such an approach is necessarily mindful of our obligation to balance the film industry’s requirements with our obligations to the businesses, residents and visitors who also make use of the site. We must also take into consideration community and environmental issues, as well as the security related matters that come from being a working harbour.

Our goal is therefore to ensure the responsible use of the V&A’s locations and resources and the maintenance of an amenity that is already heavily utilised.

To achieve film-friendliness, The V&A therefore aims to create, publish and maintain clear rules and regulations for the use of the site, so that the industry can plan accordingly. Through this process, we hope to encourage more and better collaboration between all role-players, to promote partnerships between the V&A and other stakeholders, and to facilitate a timely appreciation of the requirements and expectations of filming on the site of everyone concerned. Regular monitoring and feedback is considered an essential component of this collaboration.

The V&A thus commits itself to introduce best practice international standards, competitive pricing and improved coordination of the permit process, in order to create a vibrant V&A Film / photographic Hub.

The V&A has committed to “Film / Photographic Friendliness” as follows:

• There is a “Film Friendly Policy” in place that outlines the V&A’s intention towards providing film services whilst considering its other obligations.
• An individual has been appointed to manage and coordinate film production enquiries and responses as a single point of entry.
• The V&A Events team also functions as a “Film Friendly Committee” to consult on film matters and permit approvals.
• There is a formal V&A permits and approvals issuance process, including adoption of a standard permit application form, and clearly stipulated response times.
• Infrastructure permits and other V&A services are available promptly, within 2 to 4 days of application.
• The V&A has published a rate card of services available to the film industry.
• There is a database of the range of locations, goods, services and labour available within the V&A.
• There is a database of images of available locations in the area, as well as relevant contact details.
• There is a clear Code of Conduct to manage impacts, particularly environmental, social and cultural impacts.
• There is a commitment to keep production information confidential.
• Annual reports are issued on film activities in the area, and contributed to national filming information.

The V&A Waterfront is located in close proximity to some of Cape Town’s most iconic tourist attractions:

• 1 km from the Cape Town Stadium
• 8 km from Table Mountain gateway
• 11 km from Robben Island
• 8.5 km from Camps Bay beach

Situated around the oldest working harbor in South Africa, the V&A includes leisure activities and retail, entertainment, residential and commercial property. 60% of the harbor activity is fisheries-related. The 181 small businesses at the V&A Waterfront not only create more than 19 269 jobs, but also positively impact the economy through the number of products sourced and produced locally.  The V&A Waterfront attracts 24 million visitors a year. International visitors account for only 23% of all arrivals; locals account for 63% of visitors, and 14% of visitors come from the rest of the country. According to the Economic Impact Assessment conducted in 2014, the Waterfront accounted for 61% of all tourism visits and 62% of all tourism spending of the 20 top tourist attractions in Cape Town.

With over 450 retail outlets selling everything from fashion, homeware and curios, to Jewellery, leather goods and audiovisual equipment, the V&A Waterfront is South Africa’s most popular shopping destination, offering a diverse offering of local and international brands.  The V&A Waterfront offers lei​​sure and business travellers an impressive selection of accommodation, ranging from budget-friendly to the finest five-star luxury, all of which are located in our exceptional surroundings. The V&A includes 10 hotels and 80 restaurants as well as 22 official historic landmarks on-site.

The working harbour caters for a wide range of vessels and yachts via two deep water passenger vessel berths, super yacht berths and a multitude of private floating marina berths. The local fishing industry occupies some 60% of the harbour and provides visitors with a vibrant and ever-changing backdrop of tug boats, ferries, fishing vessels, charter boats and marine life. The V&A is the gateway to Robben Island.

Locations within the V&A Waterfront that may be considered for filming include:-

(See Gallery for photos of the below sites)

• Boardwalk – there are no facilities on site
• In Front of Dolosse at Helipads – there are no facilities on site
• Quayside in front of Table Bay Hotel (Quay 6) – there are no facilities on site
• Jetty 2 (by special permission) – electricity and water facilities available
• Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre (between the hours of 22:00 & 08:00 only) – there are no facilities on site
• Amphitheatre – electricity and water facilities available
• In front of Cape Wheel – there are no facilities on site
• North Wharf – electricity and water facilities available
• East Quay – there are no facilities on site
• West Quay – there are no facilities on site
• Bascule Bridge (walking across only and not holding up pedestrians)
• All V&A General External Sites – there are no facilities on sites
• V&A Marina – only allowed with yachts in background, and no entry allowed on the pontoons unless the vessel has been booked for the shoot
• Nobel Square – there are no facilities on site
• Croquet Lawn – there are no facilities on site
• The Lookout Venue – Full Services available with electricity, water and toilets
• All Tenancies – these are to be booked directly with the tenant

See map for details. Please contact the V&A Film & Photographic Permit Office for information on the permissions required for each location, and any contacts for various tenants.