SUVA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Film Fiji through its famous Survivor Series contributed an estimated 22 million Fijian dollars (around 10.8 million U.S. dollars) to Fiji's economy over the past five months.
Survivor is a United States reality show filmed on Fiji's Mamanuca Group.
The Mamanuca Islands of Fiji are a volcanic archipelago lying to the west of Nadi, Fiji's third largest town on the western side of Viti Levu. The group, a popular tourist destination, consists of about 20 islands, but about seven of these are covered by the Pacific Ocean at high tide.
Film Fiji chief executive Ramiro Tenorio said Friday the production of the reality show is a good indication that Fiji's film industry has strived to retain viability and productivity.
"Although we had tremendous interest of production this year at this point we have to review on a case by case basis, given the outbreak situation of COVID-19."
Film Fiji production and logistics executive Jone Robertson said the Survivor which was shot in the Mamanuca Group have also been a source of employment for Fijians.
About 400 Fijians were given part-time and full-time employment generating business for the transport and accommodation sectors.
The Western side of Viti Levu, the main island in Fiji which is also Fiji's tourism hub, was boosted economically through this film production.
"The production over a period of time had employed approximately 406 locals over the five months period. Some of these locals range from experts in the production of films shot in Fiji while others were from villages and communities within the Mamanuca Group."
Film Fiji is in constant contact with the government and overseas film producers, in an effort to boost the productivity of the industry once the border restrictions are lifted.
In the last 24 hours Fiji has recorded 39 new cases of COVID-19, taking the total number of active cases to 656. So far there have been 256 recoveries and 4 deaths in the the island nation.
Currently, the Suva-Lami-Nausori containment zone in Suva still maintains a curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. every day while the western side of Viti Levu is under a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time. Enditem
