South African film industry has a potential to compete in international market – Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Mzwandile Masina
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina believes that South African black emerging filmmakers have the potential to grow and compete in the international film and television market globally. Deputy Minister Masina was speaking at the South African Stakeholders Indies event hosted by the Association for Transformation in Film and Television (ATFT) in Cannes, France yesterday.
The networking session was attended by potential and current international investors who are attending the 68thAnnual Cannes Film Festival. Deputy Minister Masina said with the right resources and government support, the film industry can be a formidable sector that can create sustainable jobs back at home.
“With the relationship we have with ATFT, we assisted more than 105 film producers in 19 different international markets in promoting their products. We have seen more than R39 million generated via this initiative,” said Masina.
Masina said this is encouraging because it showed that foreign partners believe in the South African brand and are willing to invest in projects that can yield profits.
Masina stressed the importance of networking and urged the South African filmmakers to make use of the opportunity afforded to them in France and contribute in growing the sector further.
The Director of International Relations at ATFT, Mr Mayenzeke Baza said export opportunities for any filmmaker especially emerging ones are key for getting into the global market.
He said efforts by government and other industry players should not go unnoticed as they play a critical role in empowering previously disadvantaged filmmakers in accessing international markets. They also create other opportunities for those who want to be future producers.
ATFT is a non-profit company that promotes and assists the transformation and the growth of the film and television industry in South Africa.
Deputy Minister Masina addressing stakeholders at Cannes Festival
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Twitter: @the_dti
