There is light on the horizon for the beleaguered Sithengi - Southern African International Film and TV Market. The Sithengi organisation which was registered as the Film and TV Market Initiative (Association incorporated under section 21) ran into severe financial difficulties last year, which led to the cancellation of the 2007 edition of Sithengi and the election of a new board on 16 November 2007.

In the past three months the 12-member board has investigated and strategised around the problems inherited from the previous board which included Sithengi's debt, financial planning, administration and the format of the event. Based on discussions and decisions taken at a strategy session, the Sithengi board announced a positive future for the Market organisation on 25 February.

While the cancellation of the 2007 Sithengi Market tarnished the reputation locally and internationally of what many considered a South African "national industry institution", board members have not let this impediment deter them in planning a sustainable future for Sithengi. In a joint statement, the board states: "This is not atypical in the business of running industry festivals and markets, some of the biggest festivals in the world have faced similar setbacks. We took the view that this enforced break had to be put to positive use as it has provided a chance to constructively review the advancing and shifting needs of the Market.

"Our aim is to conceive a more progressive, dynamic media and entertainment event that will, in the long term, enable future business and creative models to develop between Africa and the global entertainment industry, beyond traditional media."

Read more in the March 2008 issue of Screen Africa