The South African film industry has grown in leaps and bounds over the years and it was felt that the Kenya Film Commission would gain valuable insights into this industry by embarking on a familiarization tour of the various film commissions and production houses.

The Gauteng Film Commission (G.F.C) was restructured in 2006 to cover the following areas: market South African locations; concentrate of investment promotions both locally and internationally; transform GFC into an advisory body for govemment and stakeholders; act as a “think tank” and change the “complexion” of the film industry in order to empower more black film makers.

With a staff of 17, the GFC has embarked on mentorship programmes aimed at developing and nurturing young budding talent.

They are also actively involved in investment promotion programmes which involve supporting projects from emerging talent plus established film makers. GFC gives content to broadcasting houses on behalf of the film makers and focuses greatly on assisting disadvantaged groups within the community through the use of film.

GFC has a steady audience development programme which  seeks to create a market for local content as well as providing an enabling environment for people to access cinemas by outsourcing mobile cinemas. The Commission fosters a film going culture by hosting forums where film makers engage the audience in selected regions.

Notably, GFC has 30 projects running concurrently in any given month.

NYATICHI SITATI AND MARTIN CUFF (of MARTIN CUFF CONSULTING)

The Cape Film Commission has a strategy based on growth, transformation and intergration:

• Growth- the CFC is now focusing on projects that will contribute towards the growth of the film industry, audience growth and business investment opportunities.
• Intergration- CFC strives to send one message to the world about filming in the Cape as well as South Africa in general. They have embarked on establishing one intergrated database of information that will serve as a one-stop shop of information.
• Transformation- CFC wants to transform itself into a “ black empowering” commission. CFC wants to develop marginalized black film makers and support the growth of local content.  

From Left To Right; LAURENCE (C.E.O of the CAPE FILM COMMISSION), DAVID MAINGI AND MARTIN CUFF

VISIT TO PRODUCTION HOUSES:

Several production houses expressed one common sentiment on the challenges of shooting in Kenya : lack of confidence in terms of resources, infrastructure and crew. Most commented on how beautiful Kenyan locations are but with infrastructure in the film industry lacking, international producers get frustrated.

The producers wanted a one stop shop that gives information on accommodation, visas/ work permits acquisitions, internet speed, dietary needs, flight connections, border issues, infrastructure (technical equipment, crew, studios, post production etc).

Ideally, film commissions should act as repositories of information for film makers.

Interestingly, the producers pointed out that they opt to shoot in Maputo in order to replicate Kenyan landscapes and sceneries. Lindbergh Lodge has also been used over the years to replicate Kenya 's savannah plains.

From Left TO Right; Founder of AFDA Film School in Cape Town, GARTH HOLMES, N.SITATI and D.MAINGI outside the school premises

WAY FORWARD FOLLOWING THE TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA

• KFC and the National Film and Video Fund (NFVF) will explore the possibility of signing a co-production treaty between Kenya and South Africa .
• Bomb Shelter, one of the key production houses in South Africa expressed willingness to host exchange programmes with Kenyan producers to improve on capacity.
• KFC to embark on establishing an attractive rebate system which will act as an incentive to film makers- currently SA has a rebate system whereby 35 percent of the pre-production and production budgets can be claimed after the shoot.
• KFC adviced to consider setting up a film school of excellence with highly qualified and experienced tutors/ lecturers.
• The Film School , AFDA,  based in Cape Town has expressed willingness to carry out short term exchange programmes with Kenyan students.
• There was consensus amongst the producers that if the logistics of filming in Kenya are streamlined and made smoother, they will be willing to divert some of their shoots to Kenya .