The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) will on 14 and 15 November 2013 host a National Film Indaba with the aim of bringing together key film industry stakeholders to help draft the industry’s response to the National Development Plan and the Revised White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage.
The fourth National Film Indaba, to be held at Emperors Palace Conference Centre will review the NFVF’s long-term macro strategy for the film industry. The Indaba will be opened by NFVF Council Chairperson Ms Mmabatho Ramagoshi ahead of the keynote address by the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile.
"The South African government recognises the important role played by the film sector in nation building, promoting social cohesion, reconciliation and supporting economic growth and job creation. We can only strengthen the sector by all of us working together to find the best solutions for us, ones that will allow the South African film industry to reach even great heights," Mashatile said ahead of the conference.
The Indaba is held every four years and seeks industry input on the state and direction of the film industry. It will be attended by governments departments namely: Arts and Culture, Communications, Trade and Industry as well as other provincial and local government representatives, film industry representatives, broadcasters and private funders who will also form part of the delegation.
“The NFVF has engaged with various stakeholders in intense consultation processes on our journey towards a national strategy for the film and audio-visual sector. These consultations have been enriched by a number of research surveys and market reviews,” said NFVF CEO Zama Mkosi.
“We are now seeking industry input into the way forward. Our discussions here, as well as the written input we may receive afterwards, will help articulate the policy going forward and inform our response to the new policy environment we operate in,” said Mkosi.
The Indaba comes at a time when the industry is experiencing a boom with a number of local films such as Khumba, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Nothing for Mahala, Elelwani, Felix, Musiek vir die Agtergrond, Of Good Report, Bakgat 3 and Vehicle 19 in the market. Some of these films were NFVF funded.
The South African Film Industry Economic Baseline Study Report (2012) commissioned by the NFVF released in April this year revealed that the film industry is contributing more than R3.5 billion to the South African economy.
This value is based on revenues and expenditures directly related to activities within the industry across the four stages of the value chain that includes pre-production, production, post-production and distribution.
“Various interventions that we have made as the NFVF are beginning to bear fruits. We want this session to go beyond discussion to constructive engagement that will ensure film takes its rightful position as a key contributor to economic and social development,” said Mkosi.
Discussions at the Film Indaba will focus on four key strategic issues: Transformation and Human Capital Development; Infrastructural Development; Funding and Institutional Models; and, Markets for South African Content.
“These topics will provide the industry’s contribution towards strategic pillars that have been identified in various government policy documents including the NDP, Mzansi Golden Economy and the draft White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage,” said Aifheli Makhwanya, NFVF Head of Policy and Research and Acting Head of Marketing & Communication.
“South Africa is also on the verge of digital terrestrial broadcasting rollout where there are a lot of opportunities envisaged for content creators. To this end, we need to know how the industry needs to position itself within this new era and what role the NFVF and other government or private institutions can play to best support the film industry.
“In addition, we are asking how the film industry can attract additional public and private sector investment and expand the infrastructure base for the film and audiovisual industry,” said Makhwanya.
The NFVF is also welcoming written submissions on the strategy. For more information, contact:
Fikile Nkambule
Frayintermedia
Tel: 011 325 5251
Cell: 073 983 7007
E-mail: info@frayintermedia.com
Unathi Jobela
Frayintermedia
Tel: 011 325 5251
Cell: 079 847 8975
E-mail: ujobela@frayintermedia.com
Khulekani Shandu
National Film & Video Foundation
Tel: 011 483 0880
E-mail: Khulekanis@nfvf.co.za
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is governed by the National Film and Video Foundation Act 73 of 1997 as amended by Cultural Laws Amendment Act 36 of 2001. The mandate of the NFVF, in terms of section 3 of the Act, is:
To promote and develop the film and video industry;
To provide and encourage the provision of opportunities for persons, especially from disadvantaged communities to get involved in the film and video industry;
To encourage the development and distribution of local film and video products;
To support the nurturing and development of access to the film and video industry;
To address historical imbalances in the infrastructure and distribution of skills and resources in the film and video industry.
