Opportunities for Gauteng film, TV industry

Industry support

“For the past two years the GFC has been working with local independent filmmakers around introducing creative content creation that is linked to an alternative distribution model. This has resulted in projects such as Jerusalema and White Wedding which have shown that local demand not only exists but that local films can be financially viable as a result of this demand,” states GFC CEO Terry Tselane.

The reprioritisation of GFC programmes will result in a greater budget allocation being made available to independent filmmakers. As an immediate stimulus, the GFC will support the production of production-ready low budget feature films.

“With the DTI rebate now in place, many more opportunities exist for local filmmakers working in the R2.5 - R10 million budget bracket. It is in this area that the GFC will increase the scale of its support to low budget independent filmmakers who do not qualify for the DTI rebate and low budget filmmakers working in the R2.5 - R10 million bracket that needs support in order to develop, complete or distribute their projects.”

“The GFC will of course also continue to develop and position Gauteng as a globally competitive African centre of excellence. This will require that we reduce the cost of filming in the province and that we change from a local importer of content to a global exporter of proudly ‘Made in Gauteng' content,” Tselane concluded.

Submissions call

The GFC plans to support ‘Made in Gauteng' projects and practitioners through providing:

• development funds, for features, drama, documentary and digital media
  
• production assistance in targeted initiatives, one-off projects, or in collaboration with broadcasters or other funding entities
  
• grant funding for internships, mentorship and training programs with more experienced practitioners
  
• support to projects that enhance employment and professional development opportunities, and the creation of a vibrant screen sector for independent filmmakers

Support will be given to assist emerging filmmakers with the development, production, post-production and distribution of their films.

2010 Gauteng Catalogue

The GFC is compiling a catalogue of recently completed and independently owned Gauteng-made content, with a specific slant towards the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. In addition, 2010-themed projects currently in development or production will be supported in line with the GFC's support criteria. This comes in light of interest shown by international buyers, at markets such as MIPTV, in independent 2010-themed content.

Factual and fictional content across the following genres and formats are required:
Factual films under 60 minutes in duration:

• Travel programmes featuring Gauteng's host cities and leading visitor destinations and activities
  
• Documentaries including 2010-related themes
  
• Current affairs
  
• Series

Fictional films over 60 minutes in duration:

• Feature films and telemovies

The GFC will compile the catalogue and will promote it online as well as in print form and hope to promote it at upcoming international and national markets and festivals.

Submissions must be made with a high resolution still from the production for use in marketing material and a covering letter specifying the following information:

• Project title (as well as alternative titles if applicable)
  
• Synopsis
  
• Format and running time
  
• Subject/ theme
  
• Details of Film and Publications Board certification (if applicable)
  
• Current status (development, pre-production, production, post-production or completed)
  
• If not complete, date of anticipated completion
  
• Full credits
  
• International sales contact details (This will be published in the online database and catalogues. If you do not have a sales agent attached to your project, please provide other details as a point of contact for clients - for example the producer or production company)
  
• South African distributor contact details (if applicable)
  
• Principal locations used
  
• Contacts
  
• Whether any pre-sale agreements have been entered into
  To submit applications, contact Nthabeleng Phora on tel +27 (0)11 833 0409; fax +27 (0) 11 833 0282/(0)865 05 5776; or email .