In the past 12 months, the Cape Film Commission (CFC) has implemented a number of projects to position Cape Town and the Western Cape as a globally competitive film industry destination. These include the setting up of the Cape Town locations web portal.
The CFC believes the establishment of the Locations Guild has gone a long way to ensure that service in this sector is on an international standard.
In addition the CFC has invested quite heavily in training and development of the industry, as well as launching the Animation Academy at False Bay College out in Khayelitsha.
CEO of the CFC, Laurence Mitchell says that Cape Town and the Western Cape have become a global film industry destination and that 2010 will be a crucial year. “It has now become apparent that we have the capacity to sustain this status of having developed into a global film destination/ industry. We have now become the home of Hollywood and Bollywood films in South Africa.’
During the past year a number of big film productions and commercials were shot in the Province, most notably amongst these is Invictus, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Springbok rugby captain, Francois Pienaar.
“This film was by far one of the biggest we’ve had to date in South Africa and at least 70% of all productions took place in Cape Town,’ says Mitchell.
One of the biggest Bollywood productions during 2009 was No Problem, a Bollywood police action movie with stars such as Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire), Sanjay Dutt and Suneel Shetty.
Currently in production in Cape Town is another big budget film, Laconia, which is based on the sinking of this luxury cruise ship during World War 2 by a German submarine.
The Cape was recently able to attract Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton as part of an international commercial production.
In just over a week Cape Town will play host to the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup Final Draw at the CTICC. “We expect close to 300 broadcasters from across the world and thousands of journalists in our City. Already there has been a huge demand from broadcasters to be based in Cape Town and the Western Cape,’ comments Mitchell.
The CFC has successfully facilitated the presence of BBC in Cape Town for six weeks prior and during the 2010 SWC. The BBC will have their main presentation studio in Cape Town and will televise live 32 games.
Following further discussions the BBC News will also be transmitted live from Cape Town, BBC History Channel, BBC Radio, BBC Africa and BBC Online Services will all be based in Cape Town. To this end the BBC will procure services from local production companies, accommodation and other related broadcast services.
In addition as part of the legacy elements the BBC will directly employ at least 20 previously disadvantaged individuals (PDIs) to work as production assistants.
The CFC will be showcasing our broadcast production services, studio editing facilities and equipment and gear houses at an exhibition during the World Broadcasters meeting on 7 December 2009 at the CTICC.
“2010 has provided us with a huge opportunity to showcase our services and production capabilities,’ concludes Mitchell.
