Through the international marketing campaigns of the Cape Film Commission (CFC) over the past 12 months, Cape Town has cemented its position as one of the most sought after destinations for international and national film, television and commercials productions.
So said Alan Winde, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Tourism at the 2nd Annual Film Industry Imbongi Awards held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 6 March. (For full list of winners see story titled “Imbongi Awards 2010 Winners under Festivals & Awards category).
“Cape Town has become the home of Hollywood and Bollywood films in South Africa and several blockbusters have been shot here. This phenomenal growth in this industry has injected millions of Rands into the local economy, providing a tremendous return on the City’s on-going investment in Cape Town’s infrastructure and positioning Cape Town and Western Cape as a globally competitive industry destination,’ continued Winde.
More than 300 guests attend the Cape Film Industry’s Imbongi Awards. Several of the winners were involved in some of the bigger films which were shot in Cape Town during the past year.
Alderman Felicity Purchase, City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee member for Economic Development and Tourism, added, “We are now clearly recognised as a significant film industry destination which is able to compete with the best in the world. Over the past 10 years, Cape Town’s film industry has grown from an exotic, niche industry into a flourishing multi-billion rand industry attracting big budget features, commercials and stills production.’
She also said that Cape Town as one of the biggest commercial and stills production destinations in the world are enjoying increasing attention from advertising agencies and big brands employing internationally experienced production crews with the facilities to back it all up.
According to Laurence Mitchell, CEO the CFC, these productions have further contributed to the marketing of Cape Town and the Western Cape as a desirable location and industry for film productions. “The Imbongi Awards is thus our way of paying homage to those individuals and companies who have all contributed to this success,’ said Mitchell.
