Despite moderate research estimates, the Western Cape Film industry is showing remarkable success above all previous expectations. This is the result of a research report commissioned by the Cape Film Commission to determine updated figures for the industry.
According to the Impact Assessment the regional film industry is more than two and half times bigger than previously estimated by the Western Cape Provincial Government’s Macro Economic Development Strategy of 2005. It is also estimated that between June 2005 and July 2006 in the region of 30 long form, 600 commercials and 2,100 stills productions were made in the Province.
The Impact Assessment came as a call for a statistical base by which to conduct future in depth research on the industry. This is the first time that research of this nature has been undertaken in Africa. Due to outdated figures, a rapidly evolving industry and the disparity of an industry in which people move in and out as opportunities arise; various past reports relied on outdated or secondary resources.
Another main objective of the Assessment is to provide strategic direction to the industry for the purpose of growing local and international competitiveness for both filmmakers and investors. The Impact Assessment also focuses on establishing a value chain for the industry as well as the job creation opportunities that the film industry will offer leading up to 2010. It is estimated that the film industry created 6,058 full year job equivalents in the Western Cape; while a further minimum 2,501 indirect jobs were also created in the province as a result of the multiplier effect. The film industry also contributes 252 084 business bed nights in the Western Cape alone, being 10.7% of the total business bed nights in the province.
Ahead of the release of the report Cape Film Commissioner, Laurence Mitchell says; ‘A lot of people both in and indirectly linked to the industry will be quite surprised by the findings as previous estimates have been greatly underestimated.’
The CFC will release the full findings of the Impact Assessment on 02 March 2007 at an industry breakfast at the Table Bay Hotel, V&A Waterfront.
