Cayman Airways and the Cayman Islands Film Commission have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting the Cayman Islands as a world-class destination for film and media production.
A press release issued on 24 Feb. by the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism stated that the memorandum of understanding “comes at a time of significant momentum for the Cayman Islands’ film industry, with increased interest from international producers seeking Caribbean locations that combine natural beauty with professional production support and accessible infrastructure.”
The press release further stated: “The partnership represents a strategic collaboration between two key pillars of the Cayman Islands’ economy – aviation and creative industries – united in their mission to showcase the territory’s stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage and exceptional production infrastructure to the global entertainment industry.”
Director of Tourism Rosa Harris, said, “This MOU with Cayman Airways is a real milestone in how we’re positioning Cayman on the global film stage. Flight access is a major consideration for international film productions, and Cayman Airways’ direct service from film hubs like Los Angeles and Miami gives us a genuine competitive edge and opportunity to create incremental visitation through investment in film.”
The Cayman Islands has emerged as an attractive filming destination, offering filmmakers pristine beaches, dramatic coastal formations, lush tropical landscapes and state-of-the-art production support. The Cayman Islands Film Commission, a government entity under the Department of Tourism, works to promote the islands as a prime location for film, television, music videos, photoshoots and advertising productions while facilitating permitting, licensing and production logistics.
Film Commissioner Brittany Kelly said, “A key element of this MOU is supporting our local filmmakers. For local filmmakers, getting into a festival is a huge milestone, but actually getting to the festival can be one of the biggest barriers. By supporting outbound travel for Caymanian filmmakers whose work has been accepted into festivals within Cayman Airways’ gateway network, we’re helping ensure their stories don’t stop at acceptance. This is about showing up, being seen, and making sure our filmmakers have the opportunity to represent the Cayman Islands on international stages.”
Timed with the release of ‘The Bluff’
The timing of this announcement is particularly significant, as the Cayman Islands celebrates ‘The Bluff’, a high-profile action-adventure film starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban. The story of the film is set in Cayman Brac in the 1840s and is scheduled for a global release via Amazon Prime on 25 Feb. 2026.
Though the film was primarily shot in Australia, Cayman Airways and the Cayman Islands Film Commission supported the filmmakers to come to the Cayman Islands and supervise a local production crew in gathering location establishing shots and aerial photography. The production unit filmed across both Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, including locations such as Barkers, Skull Cave and the bluffs of Cayman Brac, showcasing the unique landscapes that make the Sister Islands a compelling location for film.
Directed by Caymanian Frank E. Flowers, who also serves as chairman of the Cayman Islands Film Commission advisory board, ‘The Bluff’ showcases the Islands’ diverse filming locations and the professional capabilities of the local film industry.
Flowers emphasised the importance of homegrown support for the industry’s growth.
“Building a sustainable film industry requires collaboration across all sectors,” he said. “This partnership between Cayman Airways and the Cayman Islands Film Commission demonstrates our collective commitment to creating an ecosystem where international and local filmmakers can thrive.”
Under the terms of the MOU, Cayman Airways and the film commission will collaborate on:
- Facilitating efficient travel arrangements for production companies, cast and crew.
- Joint promotional initiatives to raise awareness of the Cayman Islands as a film destination at industry events and trade shows in key entertainments hubs like Los Angeles
- Coordinating logistics support across all three islands for incoming productions
- Developing packages that highlight both the Islands’ diverse filming locations and accessibility via Cayman Airways’ network
The Cayman Islands offers filmmakers a production cash rebate incentive on qualifying expenditures, along with English-speaking professional crew, modern infrastructure, political stability and year-round favourable weather conditions.
For more information visit caymanairways.com/film
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Only 5 or 6 years late! Shouldn’t they have jumped on this immediately after lockdown opened the door and we may have been in Hollywood’s eyes?
This is a tall order as we have few natural attractions compared with many other countries.