Gauteng Film Partnership Formed To Promote Film Industry

In a move designed to promote and grow the film sector in Gauteng, the Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) has facilitated the formation of a consultative forum, comprising expertise and resources from key film and audiovisual related organisations and communities, as well as public sector bodies, in the Province.

The Gauteng Film Partnership (GFP), which held its inaugural meeting earlier this month, aims to collectively work at elevating the profile of the audiovisual industry in Gauteng and to ensure that the film industry grows and operates in an integrated manner.

Commenting on the rationale behind the formation of the GFP, Terry Tselane, CEO of the GFC, said it was important to find mechanisms for coherent interaction between the industry and the GFC.

“We consider film a joint responsibility and our Board fully supports and backs the GFP. There is a need to improve both the quantity and quality of local films, and we hope that in this respect, the Partnership can play a meaningful role in ensuring a number of quality projects coming from Gauteng annually.”

The GFP, which will meet quarterly and will be central to informing the future strategies and policies of the GFC and province relating to film, will work with the GFC to drive the positioning of Gauteng as a film friendly province, one where film is “everyone’s business”.

“Through the Partnership, we aim to bring together the resources, energy and creativity of key organisations, groups, communities and individuals in order to meet the development needs of the wider Gauteng audiovisual industry and ensure that Gauteng remains an attractive location for all types of film production,” explains Tselane.

Members of the GFP, who represent their area of expertise, rather than their own organisations or businesses, are tasked with communicating with those involved in their area of representation, while promoting the development of a long-term strategic view of the industry in the Province.

The 11 appointed members are: Richard Nosworthy (Independent Producers Organisation), Dianne Regisford-Gueye (Talawa Communications), Natalie Delport (Animation SA), Bobby Amm (Commercial Producers Association), John Stodel (Scipio Entertainment Group), Kelello Molapo (Efbeeye Technologies) , Melisia Shinners (National Film, Video and Sound Archives of South Africa), Akin Omotoso (T.O.M. pictures), Heather Setzen (Hotshots / Consulting Dynamix), David Heitner (Revolution Film Partners) and Joy Riba (SABC).

The GFC is represented by Terry Tselane, as well as Jacques Stolz, Senior Marketing Manager.