Botswana - License to Make a Film or Take Commercial Still Photograph

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Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. The application for a License/permit to make a Film or Take Commercial Still Photograph shall be made to the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism (MENT) office. Applicants are advised to submit their application at least one month before the intended date of commencement of filming or photographing activities. Ministry Contact Details
2. Prospective filmmakers/photographers may apply either directly or through a registered Film-fixer and the application shall be made in writing to the MENT, in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the MENT office. Forms are obtainable at the MENT customer service desk or directly download it using this link,Filming Permit
3. The duly completed form, attached to the supporting documents as mentioned under the “Required Documents” section can be submitted in person or by e-mail to [email protected] or post to MENT Permanent Secretary.
4. Upon receipt of the application, it is checked for completeness and correctness by the MENT Coordinator of Research and Development and registered for processing by the Filming Approval Panel (FAP), clients are issued with an acknowledgment receipt that proves submission of the application file and for inquiry referencing if the need arises.
5. The Filming Approval Panel reviews the application and makes a recommendation. The timeframe for the review of each application is approximately 30 working days.
6. The Filming Approval Panel (FAP),may request additional information relevant to the application. In such a case, the information must be submitted within the stipulated time from the date of notification. Where the applicant fails to submit the required information, the FAP shall reject the application.
7. Any issues resulting from the review are brought to the attention of the applicant, who will be given an opportunity to address the issues.
8. During the evaluation process the Filming Approval Panel shall consult with other relevant authorities that may be included in the filming production or commercial.
9. An official notification from MENT on the outcome of the application (Approval, Deferral, or Rejection) will be sent to the applicant via email or any other means preferred by the applicant.
10. If approved, applicants will be required to pay a prescribed license fee, which is payable as per the MENT preferable mode of payment
11. All successful applicants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of Botswana before a permit/license can be issued. In cases where a Film-fixer submitted the application, the MoA must be signed by the Filmmaker themselves, not the Fixer.
12. After both parties have signed the MoA, the filming permit will be processed and then dispatched to the applicant, along with a copy of the signed MoA. The permit can be dispatched either by email or any other means convenient to the applicant.
13. The filming or photographing permit/licenseshall be subject to such terms and conditions as the MENT deems fit to impose in each case, and such terms and conditions or requirements shall be endorsed on the Permit/license.

NOTES: Applicants from foreign countries are advised not to leave for Botswana before obtaining a filming permit.

Appeal to the Minister.

1. The applicant for a Filming/photographing permit may, upon receipt of notice of refusal of such application, may appeal to the Minister.
   

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Required Documents

• Citizens - Certified copy of valid national identity card (Omang)
• Non-Citizens - Certified copy of valid Passport
• Certified copy of ID or passport for each crew member.
  

Office Locations & Contacts

Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism (MENT)
Private Bag BO 199 Gaborone, Botswana
Plot 13064 Government Enclave
Tel:  +267 3647900 / +267 391 4955
Fax: +267 3951092
Email: [email protected]
Toll free Number: 0800 600 734
Ministry Contact Details
Working Hours: 07:30 – 12:45 & 13:45 – 16:30, Monday to Friday, except Public Holidays.

Eligibility

Citizens and non-citizens Film makers, photographers and companies are eligible to apply.

Fees

Please consult with the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism (MENT) office.

Validity

The validity of the permit shall be mentioned on the document, and it shall remain valid for that specific period unless suspended or revoked, or cancelled by the issuing authority.

Documents to Use

Filming Permit

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

The time frame for processing the application accumulatively is within thirty (30) working days provided everything is in order.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

Important Notes

• Applicants from foreign countries are advised not to leave for Botswana before obtaining a filming permit from the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife, and Tourism.
• The application form shall be completed fully; and include the following:
  • Purpose for which the film/photograph is being recorded and will be used, and all broadcasters / networks / distributors / publishers proposed to be attached to the project.
  • Type of production, e.g. feature film, television movie or series, advertisement (broadcast or print or Internet), music video, editorial, etc. including, in the case of motion picture / film (not stills photographs), the proposed running length of the film. c. Expected target audiences of production/publication/distribution.
  • CVs of principal crew members, as well as short Profile of the Production Company, where applicable.
  • Contact details of film/photography crew and the Production Company, where applicable. (Note: The company details are necessary since crew members often work as freelancers and may move onto another project in a different company).
  • Number of people in crew and their roles, with certified copy of ID or passport for each crew member. Where there is Botswana based and citizen crew or film team members involved, but the applicant is not yet in a position to provide their details, it will be acceptable to state the number of citizens and/or Botswana based personnel to be hired during the production and their respective roles without specifying names.
  • Number and types of vehicles to be used during filming.
  • Proposed itinerary of the filmmaker/photographer during shoot including locations that will be used. This needs to detail specific areas and concession boundaries (e.g NG26, NG31 etc.) and cannot be generalized to “Okavango delta” or “Chobe”. Applicants would be well advised to attach letters from concession holders / locations, indicating that the applicant has sought approval, in principle, for filming pending the outcome of the application process.
  • Resources and special access required e.g., guide/ranger, permission to leave vehicle, access to non-tourist areas of the park or game reserve, work at night, off-road access in Protected Area, Wildlife Management Area, concession area and/or community-managed area.
  • Interviews required with government officials or any others and interview topic.
  • Any anticipated impact on the environment and some proposed mitigation measures
    

Required Information

• Name, address and fax of Production Company
• Name, address and telephone number of local agent in Botswana.
• Title of film and subject material:
• Intended audience (State/country/Countries
• Shooting schedule
• Estimated total budget on film
• Estimated budget to be spent in Botswana
• Number of expatriate artists (actors, actresses, stuntmen, make up. etc.)
• Number of expatriate film crew (directors, producers, cameramen, etc.)
• Number of local artistes
• Number of local film crew
• Type of construction/improvisations on locations
• Equipment
• Raw film /video stock
• Type of accommodation
• Approximate time for depositing the final copy of the film (Preferably in a V.H.S. video cassette form)
• Special request if any
• Undertaking/Declaration
  

Need for the Document

No film or commercial still photograph shall be made within Botswana for public exhibition or sale either within or outside Botswana except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a filming licence issued by the licensing officer.

Information which might help

• Commercial filming means any filming principally intended for a market audience. Commercial filming is inclusive of, but not limited to, audio visual; advertisements; feature films; TV drama; documentaries; educational films; music videos; and, all forms of motion pictures for any form of public broadcast on any medium, whether existing or yet to be invented. Any filming activity for which the filmmaker is remunerated is considered commercial and it includes government sponsored films and tourism promotions.
  

• Commercial photography includes still images for magazines, postcards, promotional material, books, advertisements, image libraries and the commercial photography of private events by private individuals, companies or public bodies including the government. Any photography work for which the filmmaker is remunerated is considered commercial.
  

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

FILMING GUIDELINES 2019

Others

More information which might help people.