The board and CEO of the newly launched KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Film Commission are expected to be finalised next month, heralding a new era for the film industry in the province.
The KZN Film Commission was officially launched on 23 July 2012 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban during an event attended by media and industry stakeholders, as well as delegates from the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) and Durban FilmMart.
At the launch tribute was paid to the long history of filmmaking in the province, as well as KZN-native, the late Simon “Mabhunu’ Sabela, who was South Africa’s first black director.
Michael Mabuyakhulu, the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism in KwaZulu-Natal, told Screen Africa after the launch that more information about how the KZN Film Commission will function will be revealed once the board and CEO has been finalised. “For the board we are looking for knowledgeable people from all sectors and we’re looking beyond KwaZulu-Natal for the best South Africans that can contribute to the commission,’ he explained.
Among the core functions of the commission will be to develop and grow infrastructure and facilities for film and related industries in the province; to facilitate policy, legislation and regulations necessary for the promotion of the industry; to attract foreign and local investment and funding; and to co-ordinate and provide advice, support and access to funding / incentives for filmmakers.
According to Mabuyakhulu one of the priorities of the commission will be to look at the establishment of a film studio for the province. “We don’t want a studio that is owned by one particular company – we want a state of the art studio that compares to international standards and that is available to all filmmakers in the province. If we have to step in and build it, we will do so.’
He added that it was also an essential function of the commission to facilitate the previously disadvantaged communities to take their place in the film industry. “The commission must support budding filmmakers because we feel the industry can play a role in the transformation of our society and assist in addressing historic disadvantages in skills and infrastructure. The commission cannot afford to be elitist.
“It must encourage the people from the small rural village where I was born that their stories can also be told.’
However, Mabuyakhulu noted that they must also attract the lucrative blockbuster market to KZN’s shores.
He said that, while researching different models for film commissions, they not only looked at the Gauteng Film Commission and Cape Film Commission but also at global models in India, China and Latin America.
“I believe in the future of the film industry in KZN and we are passionate about it, but we must also be realists and not bite off more than we can chew,’ said Mabuyakhulu.
Director / producer Sandra Herrington from Tekweni TV Productions notes that, while it is welcome news for the province, it is still early days. “The way forward is still being mapped, and much will depend on who is appointed to drive the initiative. Hopefully it will be someone who has the expertise and vision to address the lack of skills for emerging filmmakers and to nurture those already established in both the film and TV industry. The commission needs to build on the success of DIFF and Durban FilmMart, which provide a screening and pitching platform for African filmmakers and attract a growing number of international broadcasters, funders and co-producers.’
During the launch filmmaker Madoda Ncayiyana also spoke on behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal film industry. He noted the difficulties in getting a film made outside of Johannesburg and Cape Town.
By Linda Loubser
Screen Africa magazine – August 2012
