Working in partnership with the Department of Arts & Culture’s National Film and Video Foundation [NFVF], the City of Johannesburg is participating at the 66th Cannes Film Festival, which is currently underway in France.
A busy calendar of events awaits the film festival delegates and opportunities abound for meeting and networking with global industry players. Together with the NFVF, the Joburg team will be hosting two events, where they will be able to present Joburg’s credentials to – and interact with – filmmakers, producers, buyers and media from around the world.
“Our strategy is to position Johannesburg as a premier filmmaking destination in Africa, in an effort to unlock the economic potential of the filmmaking and production industries for the city,” says Phelisa Mangcu, Acting CEO, Joburg Tourism. “Of course the entire tourism and hospitality value chain including accommodation service providers, restaurants, vehicle hire, tourism attractions and tour operators are set to benefit from increased activity and investment generated through this sector.”
“Our priority is to improve the city’s image as an attractive destination for both local and foreign investment in the film industry. From both a commercial, as well as a business events perspective, the video, film and creative industries are key for Joburg and we need to work at raising our profile globally in this regard,” says Mangcu. A number of internationally acclaimed films have been filmed in Johannesburg in the past decade, including The Bang Bang Club, District 9, Tsotsi, Invictus and Hotel Rwanda. “We are focusing on creating strategic partnerships and networks with relevant industry players both in the local and international arena, while also positioning and promoting the City’s world class infrastructure, locations, facilities and heritage to the international filmmaking industry.”
A recent baseline study by Deloitte & Touche, a first for the industry, commissioned by the NFVF, indicates that South African film industry has grown some 85% over the past five years. “We know the film sector plays a vital role in social cohesion. Now we also know that with ongoing and additional support – from government and private investors – the film sector can continue to contribute to government’s goals of job creation and poverty alleviation,” said Zama Mkosi, CEO of the NFVF.
