In November 2013, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) sent two of its
representatives and a South African delegation of filmmakers to Australia and
New Zealand to strengthen co-production treaties between the three countries.
Chief Financial Officer Karen Son and Manager of Film Certification Terrence
Khumalo led the delegation on behalf of the NFVF, while director Vincent Moloi
(African Metropolis, The Lab) and producers Mike Auret (Spier Films) and Danie
Bester (The Film Factory) were chosen to represent the South African film
industry.
Moloi, Auret and Bester were canvassed from filmmakers who have projects
which may be of relevance to the Australian and New Zealand markets. The
filmmakers, who had not previously participated in NFVF-hosted co-production
forums, but who have relevant experience in the industry, were given the
opportunity to negotiate and sell their material.
Says Khulekani Shandu, communications coordinator for the NFVF: “South Africa
has co-production treaties with both Australia and New Zealand and the visits to
these countries succeeded in entrenching and building viable business
opportunities for South African filmmakers through creating business-to-business
co-production platforms.’
Shandu comments that the objective of co-production treaties at a political level
is to encourage collaborations and promote cultural and economic exchanges
between South Africa and other countries.
While the signing of treaties is the responsibility of Paul Mashatile, South African
Minister of Arts and Culture, the NFVF’s objective at film sector level, is to expose
local filmmakers to these treaties and create platforms for filmmakers to access
opportunities that such treaties bring in terms of funding, creative and technical
resources from participating countries.
During their visit, the filmmakers engaged with various stakeholders from
Australia and New Zealand and established relationships with their counterparts
from these countries.
The programme essentially included interactive sessions and engagements
between the South African delegation and stakeholders in both countries. It also
included pitching sessions, networking functions as well as screenings of local
films. The delegation also attended the Screen Producers Association of Australia
Conference.
From 11 to 16 November, the South African High Commission in New Zealand
hosted a South African Film Week in New Zealand, with the filmmakers in
attendance. Felix, which has won numerous awards on the international festival
circuit, gritty Cape Flats documentary The Devil’s Lair, romantic comedy Fanie
Fourie’s Lobola, Afrikaans-language thriller Wolwedans in die Skemer and noir
masterpiece Of Good Report screened during the week.
Adds Shandu: “For treaty agreements to produce the desired results it is
important for filmmakers in participating countries to have platforms where they
can engage on an ongoing basis and this trip achieved that objective.’
Co-productions, by their very nature, provide better access to various funding
mechanisms, as governments of participating countries normally put incentive
programmes in place to encourage filmmakers to co-produce. The visits to both
countries were co-ordinated with the assistance of the relevant government
bodies.
