PRESENTATION TO
PORTFOLIO
COMMITTEE:
ARTS & CULTURE
NOVEMBER 2007
MORAL IMPERATIVE
It is a national imperative to create facilities
for ordinary South Africans to bear
influence in the expression of their own
image, thereby deepen democracy and
create prosperity.
The National Film and Video Foundation
strives for this noble ideal.
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
Audit Findings
Other Matters:
Due to the specialised nature of the NFVF business
most of the suppliers were unique and had to be
sourced from specific service providers. This made it
impractical to always invite competitive bids.
Due to delays in the appointment of the new Council
members, the audit committee, which is a sub-
committee of the Council, met twice in the financial
year 2006/07. This resulted in the audit committee not
being able to perform certain functions as required by
Treasury regulation 27.1.8.
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
Sediba Skills development initiative
A good script is the foundation of a great
programme or movie and SEDIBA aims to provide
the industry with a script development and script
editors’ training programme, which emphasises the
creative team while acknowledging the writers’
position.
This is to support, nurture and develop South
African writing talent.
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
Sediba Skills development initiative
(cont)
During this financial year:
Developed 14 commissioned SABC drama projects
Almost 100 people trained including script editors, and
commissioning editors
Introduction of “Spark” programme for 1st time writers
during which 14 writers were trained
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
25 Words or Less Genre contest
In anticipation of the signing of the SA/UK co-
production treaty, the NFVF in association with the UK
Film Council launched the 25 Words or less pitch
contest focusing on 3 genres: fish out of water comedy;
teen horror; and zero to hero.
4 Winners selected
Intensive training & development workshops
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
Short Film Contests
As part of the NFVF’s strategy to develop and produce
specific genre films that reflect and develop a South
African aesthetic, including the production of indigenous
language product, the NFVF introduced 2 short film
contests:
Projects in indigenous languages
Projects by women filmmakers
14 applicants in both categories have been short listed
Projects are being workshoped by Sediba programme
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
50 Bursaries awarded for full time study
5 students participated at “Imagine” training
programme in Burkina Faso
Support given to 6 training programmes including
“Anamation Training Initiative”; Women of the Sun;
Scrawl; Monash
37 Development grants
26 Production grants
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
South African Film & Television Awards
(SAFTA’s)
The SAFTA’s were set up to recognise, reward and
popularise local film and television content and talent.
The intention was to give prestige to local content,
which in turn would increase its popularity, thereby
increasing its demand and growing its audiences.
Event held on 27 & 28th October 2006
Live SABC broadcast
74 Awards presented
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
National Film Festivals
The NFVF supports film festivals at a national level to
fulfil the following main objectives:
To grow markets for South African cinema.
To provide avenues for the distribution of South African
film.
To increase the revenue streams coming into the
industry and reverse the decline in cinema attendance.
To stimulate the culture of film appreciation, (especially
of South African content) and cinema going.
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
National Film Festivals Supported
Durban International Film Festival - Durban
Encounters Documentary Festival – Johannesburg & Cape Town
TriContinents Film Festival - Johannesburg & Cape Town
North West Film Festival - Mafikeng
Apollo Film Festival - Victoria West
Malopo Arts Festival - Mamelodi
Cape Town World Cinema Festival - Cape Town
Soweto Arts Festival - Johannesburg
KwaMashu Film Festival - Durban
Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - Johannesburg
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
International Film Festivals
Since 2001, the NFVF has embarked on a concerted
programme to position the South African industry in the
global arena and to carve a unique South African niche
in the global film industry.
The NFVF hosts national pavilions at various festivals
which provide a business environment for South
African filmmakers to have a home and a base away
from home to allow them to conduct business in an
environment that is as conducive and accommodating
as possible.
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
International Film Festivals attended
Cannes Film Festival - France
Mipcom and MipTv - France
AFCI Locations Expo - Los Angeles USA
Venice Film Festival - Italy
Toronto Film Festival – Canada
Berlin Film Festival - Germany
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
National Film School Feasibility Study
The goal of the study is to develop a national education
and training strategy for the South African film industry.
The deliverables of the study are:
Industry skills needs analysis (quantitative and
qualitative);
Education and training impact analysis;
Best practice models for film education and training;
Feasibility of the establishment of a national film
school.
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
(cont)
Co-Production Treaties
Treaty with United Kingdom signed in May 2006
Currently negotiating treaties with the following
countries
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• Australia
• France
8 projects certified under current treaties in 06/07.
CHALLENGES
The NFVF would like to acknowledge and thank the
Portfolio Committee for raising the following issues
during the Minister’s Budget speech in June 2007:
In order to create a sustainable industry and
sustainable jobs, South Africa needs to produce at least
15 – 20 films per annum in the next five years.
In the past year, only 2 feature films have been
produced & released.
The rand value attributable to production has declined.
CHALLENGES (cont)
The NFVF needs a long term vision and commitment
by the department in order for us to plan accordingly.
In order to achieve its mandate the NFVF needs to
increase its capacity. Currently, NFVF staff are
overburdened in attempting to meet all of its mandates.
The NFVF is limited in that only 25% of income can be
spent on administration costs.
This lack of resources also impacts on the level of
compliance with various legislations including the
PFMA.