The Film Resource Unit (FRU) is happy to announce that it has emerged from crisis, having been given a lifeline from the Department of Arts & Culture (DAC) after a protracted engagement to ensure a sustainable solution is arrived at. The process with the DAC started in March 2007 and was concluded at the end of November 2007.
A non-profit NGO, FRU is a leader in audience development and the distribution of film and video product in Africa. The organisation began as an underground distributor of African audio visual and socially relevant documentary material during the struggle against Apartheid. The crisis referred to above relates to problems of funding.
FRU wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the DAC, the Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Pallo Jordan, the former Acting Director General, Victor Julius, the current Director General Themba Wakashe and all the officials with whom it dealt in the process. FRU salutes their wisdom in perceiving the vital role that FRU has to play in building a sustainable film industry which currently lacks adequate distribution mechanisms that build local markets and film culture.
FRU is currently undergoing radical restructuring and is in the process of developing a new business model using digital delivery technologies at its core; this will be launched in the coming months. The restructuring has involved streamlining of operations, relocation, a forensic audit and reconstitution of the board of directors. The process also required the retrenchment of a number of staff who had been employed at FRU for many years. FRU bade them farewell and wished them well in their future endeavors. FRU is however happy to announce that it now has a highly committed, dynamic, women lead, team of professionals that will take FRU into the next cycle of its life.
FRU thanks all producers, partners, friends, industry stakeholders and “frubees’ for their support, co-operation and patience throughout the crisis period.
The organisation opened its doors for business at it new location in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on 7 January 2007. Its physical address is shared with one of its most fortuitous partners, SACOD (Southern Africa Communications for Development).
The new FRU team is:
Dorothy Brislin – CEO (dorothy@fru.co.za)
Lavinia Jonasi – Operations Manager (lavinia@fru.co.za)
Mafa Kgoahla – Services Technician (admin@fru.co.za)
Michael Phatlane – Sales (sales@fru.co.za)
(Figures supplied by SAFACT)
