The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture, was mandated to ensure the equitable growth of the South African film and video industry. In fulfilling this mandate, the NFVF supports the development of the film industry in under-serviced provinces like the Eastern Cape.

The strategy to develop the film industry in the Eastern Cape will focus on:

Assisting with the establishment of a film commission

The film centre infrastructure project

Training of filmmakers in scarce skills

Facilitation of the disbursement of funds

The NFVF has been instrumental in pursuing the decentralisation of film activities and the establishment of film commissions in the various provinces is central to this mission. Film commissions play a crucial role in organising and creating structures for the growth of the film industry in any province. Therefore, assisting the establishment of a functional film commission in the Eastern Cape is imperative.

The film centre infrastructure project is the second focus and is dedicated to creating an affordable workspace for filmmakers in the Eastern Cape that will accommodate post-production and screening services. The NFVF will resource the film centre and have dedicated training programmes to equip filmmakers in the province with the necessary skills.

The NFVF is encouraged by the commitment from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council (ECPACC) towards the advancement of the film industry in the province. The partnership yielded in an investment of R20 million towards the development and production of content. This investment aims to contribute towards the production of eight feature films, one TV series and the research and development of 32 productions. As the national film funding body, the NFVF will facilitate the disbursement of these funds through the creation of processes and procedures for funding as well as providing guidance and support to the selected projects.

These initiatives will play an important role in the advancement of the film industry in the Eastern Cape and is set to contribute towards employment creation, the promotion of more diverse locations, increasing the country’s creative and technical skills base as well as enhancing South Africa’s international film profile.

“The NFVF is working tirelessly to promote a transformed, equitable, and sustainable film industry and it is through strategic partnerships like these, with the provincial government and other stakeholders, that we are able to grow and move the South African film industry forward. All South Africans must be allowed an opportunity to participate in our industry and this can only be achieved through the development of an invigorated film industry in all provinces,” said NFVF acting CEO, Shadrack Bokaba.