FILM NEWS

SA, New Zealand sign co-production agreement

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:19

According to the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) the South African and New Zealand governments have signed a co-production agreement which will benefit the creative industries in both countries. The agreement, which came to effect on 20 October 2011, follows the success of 2009 blockbuster District 9, produced by New Zealand's Peter Jackson and directed by South Africa's Neill Blomkamp.

For the purposes of the administration of the certification process, the designated competent authorities are the NFVF in South Africa and the New Zealand Film Commission in New Zealand.

The NFVF is therefore calling for applications for productions to be made in terms of this agreement. NFVF Special Projects Manager Terrence Khumalo said the agreement presents another great opportunity for local filmmakers to explore international avenues.

"As the NFVF, we always strive to present every opportunity possible to local filmmakers to ensure the development and growth of local film. New Zealand is one of the emerging film markets and this agreement is strategic in a sense that it creates an opportunity for South African filmed products to penetrate foreign markets," said Khumalo.

In terms of the agreement, Article 1 defines a film as an aggregate of images, or of images and sounds, embodied in any material, and includes television and video recordings, animations and digital format productions. The NFVF advises producers to lodge their applications for an advance ruling at least eight weeks before production to allow for further requests and interrogation of supporting documentations accompanying the applications. A copy of the agreement is available for downloading on the NFVF website.

For any enquiries about the requirement of this treaty and other general co-productions, please email Special Projects manager Terrence Khumalo (terrencek@nfvf.co.za) or Communications and Public Affairs Coordinator Khulekani Shandu (khulekanis@nfvf.co.za).

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