A film shot mostly on the streets of Phoenix in Durban was used to show KwaZulu-Natal’s filmmaking potential at MIP Africa, an international film and television market held in Cape Town.
The film, Lucky Fish, was one of the industry stories shared at the market. KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film used the event to meet filmmakers and possible international partners.
“The community embraced us. We had no issues. It was safe. It was secure. It was lovely,” said Luke Rous, executive producer and co-founder of Rous House Productions.
Rous spoke on a panel called “Why the World Comes to KwaZulu-Natal: Culture, Content and the Creative Economy”. He thanked KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film and the Durban Film Office for their support during the shoot.
He said filming locations in the province were easy to reach and that young local talent was keen to work. He said film production could help the economy beyond what appears on screen.
“We know that film production is a multiplier effect. 60% of a film’s budget doesn’t go on screen, it goes to supplier, hotel rooms, fuel, vehicles, catering, etc, etc,” Rous said.
According to the report, this spending can bring business to local suppliers and service providers in nearby communities.
Rous called for more money to go into production incentives and skills training. He also asked for bigger, longer projects that can keep local crews employed for longer.
Jacintha de Nobrega, an award-winning producer and founder of Arclight Productions, said the province offered a friendly place to work. She said industry networks were easy to reach and local organisations gave support.
She said creativity alone would not grow the sector. Asked what the industry needed to move forward, she replied, “Money, money, money and business.”
The panel was led by Ayanda G. Thabethe. Celebrity stylist and creative director Phupho Gumede K also spoke about how the province’s culture could reach audiences overseas.
He used the success of the TV drama Shaka iLembe as an example of how costume, heritage and cultural stories can travel beyond South Africa. “Fashion is language, identity, culture, sometimes rebellion,” Gumede said.
KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film also held talks with the United Kingdom’s Department for Business and Trade in South Africa. These focused on market access and closer links with film networks overseas.
Talks with the French Institute of South Africa looked at working more closely under the existing audiovisual co-production treaty between South Africa and France.
Ideas raised included bringing French and Southern African Development Community filmmakers to Durban FilmMart. Another idea was to run location tours so foreign producers can see KwaZulu-Natal for themselves.
The authority also met the Eastern Cape Development Corporation. They discussed bringing back a memorandum of understanding so the two provinces can work together.
Through its enterprise development programme, KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film helped seven filmmakers from the province attend MIP Africa. There they could meet broadcasters, producers, distributors and possible business partners.
Pinky Radebe, head of public relations and communications at KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film, said the meetings had laid a base for future work together.
“There is something powerful about hearing filmmakers speak about their actual experiences in KwaZulu-Natal. It tells a far more compelling story than any promotional presentation could,” she said.
Radebe said the focus would now move to turning the talks into more productions, stronger creative businesses and more chances for people in KwaZulu-Natal.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Entertainment. Image: IOL Entertainment. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.