We help set the scene
The harbour has always been a stage, make it yours
For decades, the V&A Waterfront’s vibrant and colourful setting has made it a choice destination for professional photography, videography, television and film productions. Over 100 feature films and hundreds of commercial and television productions have been shot here. Behind each one of them, a dedicated permits team manages the process from application to wrap. Expect a 48-hour turnaround on permit applications and direct support throughout your shoot dates. Scroll down to apply for a permit.
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Feature films shot on site
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Heritage landmarks available for permitted shoots
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Hectares of location options across 9 districts
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Turnaround on permit applications
A city AND a harbour in a single frame
Here, there’s a working harbour with a long history, mountains as the backdrop, African creative culture woven into the architecture, and 25 million people who move through the neighbourhood every year.
Architectural heritage and contemporary facades
From the Victorian Gothic style of the Clock Tower of 1882 to the reimagined grain silos of Zeitz MOCAA, to the contemporary architecture of 30 Green Star-rated buildings, the precinct carries more than a century-and-a-half of architectural layers. Each building tells a different story and each precinct has a different register. Every shoot that happens here is unique by default.
The main character
The V&A Waterfront draws 25 million visitors annually, and on any given day, there are about 20 000 people working on site within our precinct, which sustains over 83 000 jobs in total. This translates into people-led visuals. From morning fishermen to superyacht crews in the basin, to busy baristas, buskers, sightseers, lunch crowds spilling onto the quay, and dedicated shoppers, together the people of V&A Waterfront represent a living character full of energy that can't be replicated.
Districts, landmarks and stories to tell...
The V&A Waterfront isn’t a single location, it’s a multifaceted neighbourhood. Industrial harbour meets luxury marina. Victorian dockland meets contemporary African art. The V&A Waterfront’s 22 landmarks span 9 districts and a rich history.
Shoot alongside a dry dock that has been in continuous use since 1882, inside heritage buildings that have shifted purpose across the decades, or on the waters of the marina with Table Mountain as the backdrop.
Big productions with a lighter footprint
Shooting at the V&A Waterfront means spending time in one of Africa's most sustainably managed precincts with 30 Green Star-rated buildings, a 47% carbon reduction since 2009, and a long-standing commitment to the environment that goes well beyond the shoot.
Go local
Home to more than 430 entrepreneurs and 500 small businesses, the V&A Waterfront is built on the idea that local enterprise drives the neighbourhood. Productions that work with the precinct's network of suppliers and makers keep that economy moving.
Sustainability
Since 2009, the V&A Waterfront has diverted 70% of its waste from landfill. Productions shooting on site are assisted through responsible disposal, recycling facilities across the precinct, and minimal single-use materials on set.
Community economy
More than 60% of the V&A Waterfront's small businesses are women-owned, and over 83 000 jobs are supported across the neighbourhood. Shooting here means working inside a community economy.
From permit application to camera roll
Personal photographs and non-commercial video do not require a permit. For all commercial, editorial and production work, follow this simple process:
Commercial photography and film production have separate permit categories and rate cards. Check the guidelines to confirm which applies to your shoot.
Contact
The permits team is contactable via
Email: filmshoots@waterfront.co.za
Phone: (+27) 021 408 7500