In an initiative to encourage interest in the local film industry and to market South Africa as a premium filmmaking destination, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, the Durban Film Office and Western Cape marketing, investment and trade promotion agency WESGRO will attend the 67th Cannes International Film Festival, which takes place from 14 to 25 May in Cannes, France.
The internationally recognized event will give NFVF representatives an opportunity to network and interact with international sales agents, distributors, funders and key global players.
In promotion of South Africa’s 20 years of democracy the NFVF will showcase films which are relevant to this benchmark, including: Miners Shot Down, Nelson Mandela: The Myth and Me, iNumber Number and One Humanity. Another three films by female filmmakers which highlight this achievement will also be screened.
Five South African filmmakers will be sponsored by the NFVF to attend the Creative Minds producer’s network programme; which will assist filmmakers in conducting film business on international platforms.
Zama Mkosi CEO of the NFVF says, “As we celebrate the 20 years of Freedom we reflect on the strides that we have made both as a nation and the local film industry. From a tool that served as propaganda tool for the apartheid regime, the industry has evolved to a conduit for social cohesion and economic vehicle that creates jobs and contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).’
The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, which is attending the festival for the first time, hopes to promote the province as a location for filming through creating awareness on locations, provincial incentives and the filmography of major films which have previously shot there.
Carol Coetzee, CEO of the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, comments, “The province of KwaZulu-Natal is positioned to be the next big film destination. Our mandate is to stimulate the economy in the area of film and thereby contribute to the GDP of the country. Over and above being a destination for film, we plan to grow the film industry from a skills and facilities point of view, our plans includes being a content generator through our film fund, funding films by local filmmakers, as well as those from elsewhere who are planning to shoot their film in the province.’
South Africa’s participation will be focused on the NFVF message: Attracting new markets and investments.
