PROFESSIONAL DRONE OPERATORS FOR YOUR PRODUCTION
CERTIFIED AND 14 YEARS OF FILM SET EXPERIENCE
PROFESSIONAL DUTCH DRONE COMPANY
TECHNICAL, CREATIVE AND 14 YEARS OF FILMSET EXPERIENCE
Kiwi Aerial Shots is a fully certified Dutch drone company with over 14 years of experience on international film sets. Looking to hire a drone pilot or commission aerial cinematography? We deliver drone shots and aerial cinematography for commercials, feature films, series, documentaries, sports productions, and large-scale immersive projects. Our fleet includes agile FPV drones, the DJI Inspire 3 (8K full-frame sensor), and heavy cinema drones flying ARRI Alexa and RED camera setups. For productions that demand maximum camera precision, we work with a dual-operator workflow: one pilot, one dedicated camera operator. Alongside our standard systems, we design and build custom drones and camera configurations for boundary-pushing productions, including large lighting drones and unique payload setups. As a Specific Category certified aerial cinematography company, we offer full-service aerial coordination: from FPV and cinema drone to high-end helicopter shoots. One crew, one point of contact. We handle all permit applications from start to finish.
"FEATURE FILMS, COMMERCIALS, EXTREME SPORTS, OUTDOOR EXPEDITIONS AND CORPORATE VIDEOS"
HEAVY-LIFTER
DJI INSPIRE 3
FPV DRONES
"PROFESSIONAL TEAMS WITH THE BEST EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR VIDEO OR FILM PRODUCTION""
DRONE PRODUCTIONS
FEATURE FILM | COMMERCIAL | MUSIC VIDEO | CORPORATE | OUTDOOR
We deliver aerial cinematography for a wide range of productions. From smaller shoots with a direct client brief to large-scale film productions where we coordinate with the DoP and producers on what our platforms can achieve. We operate within the Netherlands, far out at sea, in tropical locations and on mountain summits. Thanks to our specialist aerial teams we can always deploy the right people with the right equipment to make your production a success. From compact FPV drone teams to larger multi-drone setups with multiple pilots and camera operators, we can do it all.
Commercials
SERIES
CORPORATE
HARBOURS AND OFFSHORE
Motion picture
EXPEDITIONS
IMMERSIVE 180°
MUSIC VIDEOS
SUPERYACHTS
DOCUMENTARY
AUTOMOTIVE
EDUTAINMENT
DRONE TOURS
ARCHITECTURE
SPORTS
"EITHER WE HAVE IT OR WE BUILD IT, WE CAN FLY ANY CAMERA YOU ASK US TO FLY"
DRONES AND CAMERAS
AGILE FPV | PROFESSIONAL DJI | HEAVY CINEMA SETUPS
At Kiwi, we operate from a workshop fully equipped with drones, cameras, and specialized gear. Our range extends from agile FPV drones to heavy-lift cinema platforms. This allows us to configure the ideal drone setup for every production based on the required image quality and shot list. Continuity, reliability, and on-set safety are our top priorities. Consequently, all our systems are fully inspected, insured, and certified according to current EASA regulations. To prevent production delays and because technology can always present surprises, we provide redundancy by bringing a backup drone to every shoot as a standard.
HEAVY-LIFTERS
DRONE SHOTS WITHOUT CONCESSIONS
- Gimbals & Cameras: Paired with DJI Ronin 2, Mōvi PRO, or Gremsy H16ACCESS TO RESTRICTED AIRSPACEacce gimbals, these drones carry flagship cinema cameras such as the ARRI Alexa mini, Alexa 35, a RED, or Sony setup.
- Capacity: We operate multiple heavy-lift drones with a payload capacity of up to 13.5 kg for flying big cinema setups.
- Kiwi Condor & Matrice600 Drone: Our custom-built Condor drone (comparable to the Freefly Alta-X) is fully compliant with European regulations and offers superior flight dynamics flying professional gimbals and cinema camera setups. For lighter setups, we use our Matrice600 with a RS4 gimbal, which we also use for our drone lighting setups.
- Immersive Condor: For specialized Flying Theater and Full Dome productions, we utilize the Immersive Condor. This unique configuration is specifically designed to fly wide-angle 180-degree FOV camera arrays without any part of the drone entering the frame.
DJI INSPIRE 3
PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN SPECS, PRECISION AND WORKFLOW ON SET
- Sensor: Equipped with the X9-8K Air Full-Frame sensor.
- Optics: A dedicated DL-mount lens set ranging from 10mm to 90mm, ensuring the perfect focal length for every shot. We can also fly Nonamorph Anamorphics or Vintage lenses on this camera thanks to our self-designed lens adaptors.
- Workflow: Seamless on-set integration and fast lens and hot battery swaps with dual-operator support for the best possible drone shots.
CLOSE-RANGE AND MAXIMUM SPEED
- FPV Cinelifters: Our heavy-duty action FPV drones with or without RS4 gimbal setup. Equipped with the RED Komodo-X, we provide 6K imagery featuring a global shutter, which is crucial for maintaining image integrity during high-speed maneuvers.
- Cinewhoops, 5″ racers & Micro FPV: For indoor drone tours and flying near talent, we use ultra-lightweight drones equipped with prop-guards and (naked) GoPro setups.
- Check our FPV drone page for more detailed information about this niche.
CUSTOM BUILT FOR GROUNDBREAKING SHOTS
- Custom drones & setups: If the right setup doesn’t exist, we design and build it ourselves! In our workshop, we daily realize custom drones for productions that exceed the standard, such as our FPV cinelifters, Immersive Condor drone or unique Lighting setups.
"8K drone shots with our Inspire 3 or flying high-end Cinema cameras"
WORKFLOW DRONE PRODUCTIONS
LOCATION | EQUIPMENT | SHOTLIST | WORKFLOW WITH DRONES
PRE-PRODUCTION & STRATEGY
When a project comes in, we quickly get a sense of the possibilities. We look at the type of production, the location, the subject, the shot we need to capture and where the footage will ultimately be used. Based on all that input, we actively think along on camera choice and which drone fits best. From cinematic drone shots with an ARRI Alexa setup, fast but pro workflow with the Inspire 3 to a raw and energetic FPV shots close to the subject. We know what is technically achievable and are happy to bring our technical ideas and creativity to the table when there is room for it.
The chosen drone and camera setup determines the entire workflow on location: the preparation, the team, the flight lines, safety protocols and the required permit procedures. Flying over or near public roads, buildings or crowds is subject to strict regulations; even on a closed film set we assess shot by shot what is technically feasible and safe. When the location demands it, we conduct a recce in advance. We assess the operational range of our drones and map out signal strength, privacy factors, and operational risks. Everything is consolidated into a creative and technical flight plan that is ready for shoot day.
DRONES ON A FILMSET
On shoot day we work closely alongside the 1st AD and DoP. Before the first flight we hold a safety and operational briefing with all directly involved crew. Especially when deploying heavy-lift systems, clear communication is essential: the sound output of these drones requires everyone to be on headset and to know exactly where the safety zones are during take-off and landing.
A fully equipped Magliner serves as our operational drone base on set:
- Monitoring: 21″ director’s monitor for immediate assessment of the image
- Video village: dedicated SDI output to the client’s viewing station or director’s monitor
- Power management: fully equipped battery station for non-stop hot-swap charging and flying
- Communication: headsets for seamless coordination between drone team and director
"Fully insured and European certified drone company"
We travel across the globe to make aerial shots for all sorts of film productions. We have the knowledge, the network and experience to get the best aerial shots from Fiji to the France Alpes.
We work with fully certified pilots and professional camera operators. We have multiple in house drone teams so we are always able to deliver!
We have the permits to get access to restricted airspace. making drone shots in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, harbor areas or on the North sea, we got you covered and are a fully certified drone company!
All our gimbals are equipped with multiple D-tap connections to add extra's like a lightweight follow focus to the setup.
Kiwi Aerial Shots is a so-called EASA SPECIFIC certified drone company which means we can get exemptions to fly in every possible air space. Next to this, we only work with certified and insured drones.
The DJI Inspire 3 is a commonly used drone that we use for all sorts of productions. We fly the DJI Inspire 3 with a X9 9AIR camera for full-frame 8K 75fps aerial shots.
With our SPECIFIC drone licence we are able to get permission at industrial sites or in a big international harbor like the Maasvlakte Rotterdam. We can get our permission to fly our drones and are in contact with customs, POR, local heli ports and local police.
Making drone shots above the water requires special skill, experience, and technical knowledge of the drone. At Kiwi Aerial Shots we have over 9 years of experience filming offshore, the biggest million-dollar yachts, extreme watersports en the most beautiful nature from the Netherlands and Fiji.
In the Netherlands it's illegal to fly a drone, but not for Kiwi. We have all the permits we need to fly our drones at night and make the best drone shots flying our Inspire 3 with X9 camera or a heavy-lifter drone with cinema camera.
"FULLY INSURED AND EUROPEAN CERTIFIED DRONE COMPANY"
CERTIFIED DRONE COMPANY
FLYING IN AMSTERDAM | ROTTERDAM | HARBOR AREAS | OFFSHORE
Kiwi Aerial Shots holds an official operating authorisation from EASA and the Dutch Civil Aviation Authority (ILT) under the Specific Category, the highest certification level for commercial drone operations in Europe. This authorisation allows us to operate in locations that are off-limits to most operators, including flights with heavy-lift systems in close proximity to people and structures.
Navigating Controlled Airspace (CTR)
Kiwi Aerial Shots holds the permits and expertise to operate in restricted areas. We manage the entire process from start to finish: from initial flight planning and permit applications to direct communication with the relevant aviation authorities during the shoot.
- CTR zones: Controlled airspace around airports including Schiphol, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and military airfields.
- Harbours and industry: Complex locations including the Maasvlakte, critical infrastructure and offshore installations in the North Sea.
- No-fly zones: Areas restricted due to privacy, nature, safety or national security considerations.
- Night operations: We hold a night-flight permit, which is prohibited by default for drone operators in most European countries.
Insurance & Certified drone company
- Certified Operators: All our pilots are fully licensed and trained for high-stakes operations in demanding environments.
- Specialized Insurance: Every flight is worldwide insured through Coverdrone and Flight-Deck, experts in aviation liability.
- High-Value Payload Coverage: For high-end camera payloads that exceed standard valuation limits, we can arrange last-minute additional coverage.