Gauteng Film Office hosts provincial film indaba

The aim of the Indaba is to build capacity and identify strategic links within Government and the public and private sectors through a "Provincial Action Plan" for the film industry in Gauteng. The GFO sees the event as a collective effort and shared vision of decision-makers in the industry and in government.

With the support of the MEC Jabu Moleketi and the Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, the Indaba will discuss the challenges facing Gauteng and South Africa's film industry, how to build "a film friendly province", marketing Gauteng as film destination, and creating a self sustainable film industry. The Indaba will also explore issues such as transformation, film finance and funding, service delivery, training and development, and investment facilitation.

The indisputable influence of the film industry on South Africa's economy has recently become obvious with the international filming of Hotel Rwanda in Gauteng, where almost 10 000 jobs were created within the space of 8 weeks. An increase in local and international films in Gauteng would create jobs and revenue more rapidly than any other foreign investment.

The GFO, which has been in operation for almost 2 years, plans for the Indaba's resolutions to be used as a working template for other provinces seeking to establish a foothold in Film and Television. With their mandate being to promote Gauteng as a premier film location within South Africa, the GFO has successfully built relationships with many international stakeholders in the film industry, and is responsible (along with the NFVF, SAFFCO, and the IDC) for bringing Hotel Rwanda to Gauteng. Another recent achievement is the facilitation of a partnership between Johnnic Communications and Hollywood producer Gary Goldstein (Producer of Pretty Woman, Under Siege, and Mothman Prophecies) to bring major feature film productions into South Africa.

Says the GFO's CEO, Themba Sibeko: "Gauteng possesses the potential to create and brand itself as the preferred film location within South Africa and internationally. Its attributes are endless, from its diverse cultures and locations, skills pool, world-class infrastructure and technological offerings to a high altitude, dry air, and close proximity to wildlife".

The Film Indaba will also investigate the link between the film industry and other key industries (e.g. tourism, education, training, etc) in order to further job creation and economic growth in the province.