Some of the latest projects supported by the GFC

by | Dec 3, 2020 | March 2021

Human Rights Day 2021

Under the theme “Promoting and Protecting Human Rights in the age of Covid-19”, the GFC held film screenings using the audio-visual medium as an effective communication tool providing opportunities for audiences virtually to engage and discuss key human rights challenges faced by communities, while consuming local content.

As part of the film screenings, Roundtable discussions were arranged and held at the Sharpeville Monument and Winterveld on the 21st and 26th March, respectively. The deliberate choice of the two venues is to commemorate the tragic events that happened in the two towns.  Survivors of the massacre, the human rights commission and social justice activists formed part of the discussions.

On March 21, 1960, police officers in a black township in South Africa opened fire on a group of people peacefully protesting oppressive pass laws, killing 69. The anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre is remembered the world over every March 21 on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In total, 69 people were killed, and more than 180 people were injured, mostly shot in the back as they fled the violence.

On 26 March 1986, police opened fire on a crowd of people protesting police brutality at City Rocks stadium in Winterveld, Bophuthatswana, killing 11 people and injuring many others. In the aftermath, police allegedly assaulted fleeing people, dragged them out of houses and subjected them to severe battering, both at the scene and at GA Rankuwa police station.

“The events provide an opportunity to celebrate the gains we have made, but more importantly, the commemorative celebration highlights the action that is still required to realise social justice in SA, on the African continent and globally”. Nthabeleng Phora from the GFC.

 

Enterprise Development initiative: Film Equipment

Through the GFC Enterprise Development program, which seeks to amplify the message that “Film is a Business” the GFC assist emerging filmmakers to run their companies as profitable businesses. During the year, call outs were made to emerging filmmakers in the 5 Gauteng regions/ corridors, to apply for support. This support was in a form of a start-up kit which consists of a camera with accessories, lighting, and sound equipment. The objective is to help Gauteng filmmakers who have no equipment to start making their content for the various available content platforms, have functioning and profitable businesses. In this current financial year, 30 emerging filmmakers from all five corridors have benefited.

 

Skills Development

The Gauteng Film Commission has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA), which will focus on skills development programmes for the Gauteng youth for the next 3 years.

Starting on the 1st of April till March 2021, the collaboration between the two organisations will assist 60 youths between the ages of 18 and 30 with bursaries and internship opportunities. The programme is split into two parts, i.e., tertiary education bursaries and internship for unemployed youths residing in Gauteng. Thirty undergraduates and post-grad students who have been accepted to study at an institution of high learning, in the arts/ motion picture related studies will each receive tuition fees up to the value of R90, 000.00.

Also, with the internship programme, 30 unemployed graduates will have the opportunity to receive on the job training with various organisations in Gauteng and they will be compensated with a monthly stipend. The aim of the initiative is to create a centre of excellence programme within the Film and TV sector, with the desired impact to stimulate the economic growth within the sector. With many individuals and organisations negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, this comes as a huge boost for the sector.

Other projects linked to the programme will be the high school career day, a competition which stimulates creativity, a forum focusing on enterprise development and a capacity building workshop. The whole programme is focused on the youth residing in Gauteng and will be rolled out throughout the financial year 2021/22. All projects will be advertised on the GFC website and social media platforms.

 

Industry Associations

Just from observation in the film industry talent, experience, and networking trumps everything. It is a very much-loved industry, but usually for the wrong reasons – the number of hours and work required just to write a film script, learning lines from a script or to put a finance deal together to produce a film is often understated. As audiences, we usually see the glitz and glam of the final product.

Below we share film industry associations you can join to learn and gain insights into the industry and start networking.  

 

Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT)

SWIFT is a fresh and energetic non-profit. Birthed when a group of South African women making films and television came together to discuss the needs of women, it is now the only South African organisation focusing exclusively on the common concerns and shared experiences of women working in film and television. As we work towards engaging, developing, and advocating women, SWIFT has fast become a hub of support, empowerment, and inspiration. Currently SWIFT has chapters in Durban, Johannesburg, Limpopo, and Cape Town.

 

Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA)

The Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA) is a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) and a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO).

Our mission is to protect, empower and develop performance writers. The WGSA operates within the local film, television, radio, stage, animation, and new media (internet – mobile and digital distribution, and gaming).

 

Independent Black Filmmakers Collective (IBFC)

 

Commercial Producers Association (CPA)

The Commercial Producers Association of South Africa (CPA) is a professional trade association of film companies specializing in the production of television commercials and offering several key benefits and services to members. Please note that only companies which produce television commercials are eligible for membership of the Association.

 

Independent Producers Organisation (IPO)

The Independent Producers Organisation (IPO) is a representative, national organisation of independent South African film, television and video producers constituted to represent, protect, and promote the interests and needs of producers. The IPO currently represents the interests of eighty percent of working producers in South Africa.

 

Documentary Filmmakers Association (DFA)

The Documentary Filmmakers’ Association (DFA) was established to nurture and develop the interests of documentary filmmakers in South Africa. The documentary film genre is unique.  It stimulates public discourse, reflects on social, political, cultural, and current events, explores history, commemorates heritage, and unearths the mysteries of the universe and the planet.