As of Monday 25 February 2013, the Cape Film Commission (CFC), for the first time in its 12-year history, confirms that it is registered with the City of Cape Town as an organisation which is able to officially enable the application of film permits within the City of Cape Town property and roads portfolio for its members.
According to a press release, “the CFC required this registration to afford many of you the opportunity to apply for film permits as Members of the CFC. Previously there was an implied requirement that to apply for a permit, especially if you were not registered with the City as a Production Company, you would have to align yourself to a local production company. Many of you have expressed to us on many occasions that you did not want to do this and have requested that we register on your behalf, this we can now do’.
The CFC registration now means that subject to the provision of certain required documentation, individual members of the organisation and SMMEs together with inbound production companies can now come through the CFC and use their CFC Membership number, the CFC’s postal address, together with PL insurance obtained through the CFC, to apply for a permit to film on City property and roads.
The registration cost with the CFC for applying for permits using CFC Membership is a flat rate of R500 per annum to cover administration costs. Permit applications through the City are still free of charge with associated costs for roads closures, traffic officers, etc.
The CFC also manages the referral process for filming on Western Cape Provincial Property. The organisation also serves as the interface with Home Affairs on visa and work permit applications where filmmakers may be encountering some challenges. The CFC is also the DTI, SEDA and SETA partner for the film industry.
The CFC also states that “with many of its members from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and from the international community wanting to film in and around Cape Town, the opportunity that has been granted to us from the City of Cape Town is a welcome addition to the services we offer and we thank them for that’.
