The film and television industry in South Africa no longer solely wants to be seen as an entertainment provider.
The results released by the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa of a recent study commissioned into the economic impact of the film and television industry in the country, shows that since the first study in 2013, the revenue it contributed to the national gross domestic product (GDP) grew from 3.5 Billion Rands to 5.4 Billion Rands in the year 2016/17. Generating productions worth 12.2 Billion Rands.
This translated into every one Rand spent in the industry, 4.9 jobs are created.
These statics alone demonstrate the strength of the South African film and television industry as a serious driver of economic growth and development for the country.
The timing of this results is perfect as we present to the world the Cape Town International Film Market and Festival, poised to shine in all its glory from the 12th – 21st of October at the iconic V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
The industry trading platform, or Film Market commences on the 18th of October until the 21st of October 2017.
Which is partly what brings us to Shanghai. The CTIFMF is thrilled to announce its collaboration with the China-Africa International Film Festival (CAIFF) that will be launched within the CTIFMF on the 17th of October 2017.
This is an exciting development since this effort to introduce Chinese cinema to South Africa and vice versa not only supports BRICS relations, but also the recent People-to-People exchange mechanism that was ceremoniously entered into by the South African Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthetwa and his Chinese counterparts, in Pretoria South Africa.
Through this mechanism the two countries hope to deepen mutual understanding between the people of South Africa and China, and enhance people-to-people exchanges and co-operation in the areas of culture, education, communications, health, science, technology, sport, tourism, women and youth.
Additionally, through our Chinese partners’ geographical position in Gaborone, Botswana, a new two-way conduit for the distribution of local content Africa and China is now firmly established. Together we seek to provide high quality content to these respective markets.
We are honoured to be working in collaboration with the China-Africa International Film Festival and have every confidence that our combined efforts will yield great future success for our respective industries.