F.A.Q.
Everything international productions ask before filming in Hong Kong — permits, crew, languages, safety, customs, and filming in mainland China through a Hong Kong production company.
Standard filming permits from the Film Services Office take 2–4 weeks to process. Complex permits — road closures, airport access, MTR filming, or heritage sites — can take 6–8 weeks. Advance planning is essential for anything on a tight production schedule.
Yes — Hong Kong is broadly open to international crew on standard business visas or visa-free entry (depending on nationality). Above-the-line and specialist crew commonly travel with productions. Local hires are typically sourced for camera, grip, lighting, sound, and coordination roles to keep costs down and leverage local knowledge.
Most experienced Hong Kong film crew speak English and Cantonese fluently. A large portion also speak Mandarin, which matters for productions moving between Hong Kong and mainland China. Freebase Media's team operates in all three languages, and offers voiceover services in Cantonese and English.
Yes. Hong Kong has low violent crime rates, reliable public services, developed emergency medical care, and a stable business environment. Standard production insurance is available and widely used.
Yes — Hong Kong companies with mainland experience regularly handle cross-border productions. This typically involves coordinating with mainland co-producers or fixers, arranging equipment and crew movements via road or rail, and complying with mainland regulations. It is significantly easier when planned from the start with a Hong Kong company that has existing mainland relationships.
Contact Becky Lee directly at info_fb@freebasemedia.com with your project brief. Include the type of production, estimated shoot dates, crew size, and any specific locations or requirements. Freebase Media provides detailed proposals and budgets for productions of any scale.