“Okinawa Film Office (Below, “OFO”)” is a film commission operated by the Okinawa Tourism Convention Bureau. Since its establishment in FY 2002, it provides support related to shooting films, such as information on filming areas and approval applications, cooperating with screening events etc. As for assistance for shooting for domestic filmmakers it specializes in movies and TV dramas, while, for overseas creators, it provides general assistance across the board.
Contact us through the form in the FAQ section of the OFO website.
*All areas of Okinawa, including isolated islands, covered
FAQ about filming assistance (General)
For domestic filmmakers, we mainly provide assistance for movies and TV dramas. The private organization “Location Fixer’s Guild of Okinawa (FGO)” helps for projects other than these. As for overseas filmmakers, we support any kind of product, including but not limited to movies and TV dramas.
The OFO, as a Film Commission, will take into consideration all works shot in Okinawa. However, we cannot support works whose content goes against public decency or that promote specific political or religious views.
The rule is that the request for assistance should be made at least two weeks before shooting. If there are less than two weeks of time, please try discussing the situation with us.
Yes. It will help the shooting go more smoothly if you acquire information from the tourism association of the location you wish to shoot in, other than from the OFO.
We will accompany you as much as possible. When doing so, we will coordinate with offices and facilities and help communication with the people at the shooting location, according to the necessities of the current situation, and witnessing the filming itself. We will also make sure that everything has been returned to its original condition after shooting is done.
We do not act as a proxy, but we will help coordinate and acquire information from the entity to which the request must be presented.
We do not recruit extras, but we send information through SNS such as Facebook. In that case, we will need you to provide request form including the date and detailed conditions. We will send the request form after receiving contact through phone or email.
The OFO does not provide introductions for individuals. We also do not assist with research commissions.
FAQ about filming assistance（Coordinator）
By having a coordinator residing in Okinawa, you can smoothly make adjustments with local administrative officials, local residents, city halls, etc. Also, people in the area where shooting is done can recognize that it is a regular shooting (i.e. not an unauthorized guerrilla shooting etc) because there is a local coordinator in the prefecture, so shooting can proceed smoothly.
There is a possibility of some of the following problems happening.
Example 1: As proceedings for shooting are different compared to outside Okinawa, authorizations for shooting and adjustments with the local may be difficult.
Example 2: Without a local coordinator, the shooting may be wrongly seen as unauthorized, which could cause problems with the renting of equipment.
Example 3: When looking for people, the coordinator’s personal connection often come in handy, so it may be difficult to arrange for personal interviews without one.
The OFO, as a film commission, provides information on shooting locations and authorizations, lodging, catering, equipment, and rental cars, but does not act as a proxy in filling applications and making arrangements. A coordinator finds locations, makes appointments, fills in applications, manages the budget and schedule, and makes arrangements during the shooting.
FAQ about filming assistance FAQ（Application）
Please download it from the following URL:
In principle, we request that you provide information about the finished (released or broadcast) work (title, details, and content of the assistance) at the moment of the request for assistance. This information is mainly released on the OFO website’s “Shooting assistance record” section. It may also be used in documentation provided to local entities and facilities.
Please fill in the information you have at the moment of application and contact us about anything else. In principle, however, assistance can only be provided after all the necessary documentation has been provided and received.
All of this information should be possible to find on the internet. If it is not available, you can contact us through mail or phone.
We do not act as a proxy, but we will help coordinate and acquire information from the entity to which the request must be presented.
We do not advertise any specific company. Please look at the film business introduction page on the OFOwebsite.
Please contact the provider you are interested in from the introduction page on the website.
The OFO does not collect film or photographs. For film or photographs of Okinawa, refer to the media library managed by the OCVB. (*Confirm the terms of use on the Okinawa Media Library website)