BUSINESS NEWS

CFC making waves

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:31

Denis Lillie

The Cape Film Commission (CFC) recently announced its intention to embark on a major push to grow the province’s film industry.

CFC CEO Denis Lillie says that the industry contributed nearly R5.5bn to the Western Cape’s economy and employs over 12 000 people.

“We are confident that we can grow these figures. There are many big international productions that have been shot in the Cape and others either scheduled for production or interested in shooting here. Cape Town Film Studios (CTFS) has really boosted the industry.”

Commenting on the recent announcement that a Cape Town version of the Law & Order franchise will be shot in Cape Town Lillie says: “Each episode will contribute R3m to the industry. This is not the only production in the pipeline. There is a Ridley Scott television series, Labyrinth, scheduled for production at CTFS, which is currently shooting The Story of Great Britain.”

He notes that while there is growth in the film, television and documentary sector, budgets for commercials have dropped off. “This market is flattening out.”

The CFC is also interested in growing local audiences says Lillie. “We need to make sure that local content is seen by South Africans. The CFC is looking at building a provincial theatre to grow the market. I think local documentaries need to be better marketed.”

Cape Town has been accused of being too expensive a location. Lillie responds: “This is sometimes the case and recently two big productions cancelled because of the cost of shooting on Robben Island. This is a pity but generally I think we are still competitive.”

Latest developments at the CFC have seen the building up of relationships with other film commissions around the world. “We have had trade delegations to India and China and these have been extremely positive. Both the Indian and Chinese markets are huge. It is said that in China the number of screens doubles every four years and they have a huge cinema going population. This is an opportunity to sell local films into those markets.”

“The other aspects that we looked at with the commissions is how do we strike deals with them and what are the opportunities and restrictions in these territories. There was great interest shown in terms of working with the CFC and developing future solid working relationships.”

Some of the achievements of the CFC in 2011 are the following: CFC film membership to the International Academy of Television and Sciences; CFC membership to the Association of Film Commissions International (AFCI); a partnership with the Cape Town Film Studios and local production companies; agreement with the City for CFC to coordinate international marketing for local film festivals; and trade agreements are being concluded with international cities and commissions (ie. New York, Los Angeles, London, Mumbai, Beijing etc).
“We are
thrilled with the developments and aim to continue to serve the film industry,” concludes Lillie.

SCREENAFRICA Print Magazine – November 2011 (view here)

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