New strategy for Western Cape film industry

At an industry breakfast hosted by Western Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde, it became clear that a new strategy was needed. He said, "The film industry is a key economic sector in the Western Cape and it has attracted some phenomenal projects over the past year. To further grow the industry, it is vital that we put a collaboratively designed world class strategy in place that will drive the industry for decades to come."

"The City's investment in the development of this film strategy is further testimony of our commitment to enhancing our competitiveness and value proposition as a film production destination of choice to the international market," says City of Cape Town's manager of economic development facilitation, Kwanda Modise.

The new medium to long-term strategy will incorporate all aspects of the film sector, namely locations management, skills and enterprise development and trade promotion and investment, so that it is cohesive and integrated.

Facilitator appointed

Following on from this need, the industry associations' representatives on the CFC board, based on a scoring system, conducted the selection of the facilitators and appointed Kaiser Associates Economic Development Practice. It is a specialist economic development consulting firm with over 10 years experience in facilitating and formulating sector development strategies (including the creative sectors).

The facilitators will be engaging with various industry role-players to gain an informed platform and comprehensive overview of the requirements and opinions of the industry. To develop a supportive and coherent strategy that will best serve all stakeholders, the CFC urges industry to support this facilitation process and to be as open and objective as possible to build the CFC and the local industry as a whole beyond 2010. Film industry stakeholders who are interested in giving their input can contact by 6 August 2010.