South Africa has become known as a world-class filmmaking location but what are some of its strengths and challenges. How can the South African film industry grow towards achieving global success.
Core Strengths: The Foundation We Build On
Unparalleled Location Diversity:
This is our golden ticket. From sweeping savannahs to bustling urban centers, we can double for almost anywhere. This attracts international productions, bringing in vital revenue and skills. Cape Town, in particular, is a powerhouse, offering world-class infrastructure and stunning backdrops.
A Skilled and Growing Crew Base:
We’ve got talented technicians, artists, and filmmakers. The experience gained from servicing international productions is invaluable. The growth of visual effects and animation studios are also a very strong point.
Cultural Richness and Storytelling Potential:
South Africa’s history and diverse cultures provide a wealth of unique stories waiting to be told. This is where we can truly differentiate ourselves. There is a growing movement of authentic african story telling, that is becoming very popular.
Government Support and Incentives:
The NFVF and government incentive programs are crucial for fostering growth and attracting investment.
Areas for Improvement: Charting a Course to Global Success
Increased Focus on Original, High-Quality Local Content:
While servicing international productions is vital, we need to prioritize developing and producing our own compelling stories.
We need to produce films that are not only culturally relevant locally, but that have universal themes that resonate with international audiences.
Strengthening Distribution and Marketing:
Getting our films seen is a major challenge. We need to invest in effective distribution and marketing strategies, both domestically and internationally. We need to have a stronger presence on international streaming platforms.
Increased Investment in Development:
We need to invest more in the early stages of filmmaking, supporting writers, directors, and producers to develop strong scripts and concepts.
Building Sustainable Infrastructure:
While we have excellent studios in some areas, we need to develop more infrastructure to support the growing industry, particularly in emerging production hubs.
Further Development of Skills and Training:
While we have a skilled workforce, continued investment in training and skills development is essential to keep pace with technological advancements and global standards.
Focus on the business side of film making:
Many very talented people are not skilled in the business aspect of film. It is very important to develop those skills.
The Bottom Line
South Africa has the potential to become a major player in the global film industry. By building on our strengths and addressing our weaknesses, we can create a sustainable and thriving industry that tells our stories to the world.
It is important to remember that the digital age of film, offers many new avenues for distribution, and marketing.
South African filmmakers should embrace these new technologies.