The provincial Film Office is facilitating a structure that will create a platform for film makers to look at solutions for developmental issues across the province.
The provincial Film Office is facilitating a structure that will create a platform for film makers to look at solutions for developmental issues across the province.
Provincial Film Office Manager, Vuyisile Zukelwa says that the structure aims to provide film makers with a voice as they feel that their views are not adequately addressed by the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC).
The Eastern Cape Film Association (ECFA) was established during a recent workshop attended by Local Economic Development (LED) units from district municipalities, DSRAC district officials and film makers from the different districts.
The workshop report spoke of LED units at district municipal level who were asked to be more involved as
they play a leading role in issuing permits to production companies and also have to put policy and bylaws in place to control the use of locations.
“The involvement of all these stakeholders is seen as a solution to the lack of development of the film industry in the province,” the report read. Complied by Zekelwa, the report also spoke of tense discussions where all were “dissatisfied with the way film makers were treated by DSRAC as they realised that the film office budget would not be able deliver on the promises put forward.”
According to LED Director, Riana Meiring the structure is meant to represent the interest of the film makers.
“The structure will establish partnerships with municipalities, DSRAC and other stakeholders with a view of identifying and implementing programmes that are aimed at developing emerging film makers, and also supporting the municipalities to develop regulations for the use of its spaces during film making,” said Meiring.
Zukelwa believes that the responsibilities of the Film Office are in marketing the Short films short of recognition industry by attracting international film makers and developing an interest among the community by offering training programmes and workshops.
He also added that the allocated budget is concerned with facilitating film makers, not for funding their productions.
“This structure will not be seen as a structure to compete with the Film Office or DSRAC, but will become an independent entity to advance the needs of the film industry and artists.
And because of their legal status, they will be able to go out there and raise their own funds so development programmes can be put in place to enhance the skills that they have,” he said.
The Film Office would therefore provide them with seed funding and will assist them in registering ECFA as a Section 21 organisation.
Local independent film maker, Xola Mali said the structure is a good idea, only if assistance will be provided by DSRAC.
“Personally and from my experience, governmental institutions put these structures in place, but unfortunately on some occasions, it ends there.
“This doesn’t mean they won’t improve, but that is how they usually operate.” He made an example of the Cacadu Film Association in which he was elected as secretary in 2006.
“There were people that wanted to work, but that’s where it ended, as the institution [DSRAC] could not assist.” He then added “you can’t talk development and not talk money.”
Mali has been a film maker for about five years, focusing on social issues mostly in documentary style. He is currently introducing the youth to the medium by holding workshops at schools.
