Martin Cuff Consulting has been appointed by the Durban Film Office (DFO), in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development (KZNDED) to conduct research on the industry in the region.. The Durban Film Review aims to produce a revised business model for the DFO, develop a growth and development strategy for the industry in general, identify and connect the key role-players, and determine the role and exact impact upon the local economy.
The DFO is the film-industry development arm of the Ethekwini Municipality, mandated to position Durban as a world-class film production destination and facilitator for the development of the local film industry.
“Essentially, Durban and KZN have been operating in an information vacuum,” says review coordinator Martin Cuff. “This is not unusual; the film industry around the world is notorious for failing to provide the kind of statistical facts and figures that allow governments to understand exactly what it is dealing with and how best to assist.”
The review will cover all entertainment media production activities including feature film, television, TV commercials, stills photography, animation, new media and video games. It will also encompass a range of sector-supporting development and distribution interventions, such as film education and training.
“We believe that the city is finally taking up its rightful place as both a globally competitive film venue and an important contributor to the local economy,” says Toni Monty, head of the FDO, “and we need to be ready to manage the challenges and demands that come with such growth.”
