October 2007

The Gauteng Department of Economic Development in association with the Gauteng Film Commission will be hosting the 2007 Gauteng Film Indaba at The Forum, Bryanston on the 6th of November 2007. The Indaba will bring together industry players from the audio-visual industries to investigate ways of fully exploiting Gauteng as a prime film destination and production centre.

A new eight-screen cinema complex has opened at the recently launched Maponya Mall in Soweto, making this the first of its kind cinema complex in the world-famous township. With a combined seating capacity for 1,400 patrons, the complex offers state-of-the-art screening technology and plush interiors.

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has committed itself to the support of the Gauteng film community. This assurance was made at a workshop recently held to discuss industry concerns around JMPD film permit procedures. 

Film Event Management, publishers of The Filmmakers Guide to South Africa, has launched the ‘Go Green’ initiative in association with Food and Trees for Africa. ‘Go Green’ is aimed at raising awareness of environmentally responsible production practices amongst the broader filmmaking community.  

In September the Gauteng Film Commission hosted the first of what it hopes will become a series of industry workshops around the theme of film financing. The first workshop, attended by 50 participants from the broader Gauteng film industry, was held on the 3rd of September 2007 and provided filmmakers the opportunity to engage with key funding and financing institutions.    

Following on from the success of a recent screening in Cape Town, the Bowling Club has announced plans for bringing Eat My Video (EMV) to Johannesburg. EMV features a selection of quality international music videos that are screened in a cinematic environment.   

Nominations for the second South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) have been announced. According to organisers 245 entries have been received for this year’s awards with Johannesburg-based Curious Pictures leading the race with an impressive 35 nominations garnered.

Emmy winner, Judy Davis (Best Supporting Actress, The Starting Wife), joins the production of Rough, a 2 part adventure/drama mini-series, currently filming in South Africa and on location in downtown Johannesburg.

Launching on the 11th of October at 21:30 on SABC 3 Font and Son is a slightly down at heel family printing business in the suburb of Orange Grove, Johannesburg. Shot before a live studio audience at the Gold Island Studios in Corporate Park Midrand, Font collaborates with South Africa�s finest, funniest and most talented comedians.

With the recently announced awarding of pay-TV licenses the availability of trained technical personnel will be put under severe pressure. One organization is gearing up for this potential shortage. Gauteng based National Electronic Media Institute (NEMISA) based in Parktown came into being as an institution of education and learning, specializing in teaching production and technical skills required by the Television, radio and broadcasting industry.

Johannesburg born Johnny Breedt always wanted to make movies, but an error at film school, a good deal of awesome talent, and a major luck on the Gauteng film set of an Oscar-nominated film now sees him at the top of his game – he’s one of South Africa’s leading, internationally respected Production Designers. Andrew Worsdale caught up with him on the bustling set of Anthony Minghella�s No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in Botswana.