6 November 2007
Programme Director;
The Premier of Gauteng, Premier Mbhazima Shilowa;
The CEO of the Gauteng Film Commission, Terry Tselane;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the 2007 Gauteng Film Indaba. We are truly delighted that you could join us today at this Film Indaba, an event we hope from this year on will be hosted on an annual basis.
We meet here today, as various stakeholders, to take stock and reflect on the state of the film industry in Gauteng.
We are also here collectively to find ways of how to stimulate investment in this critical sector of our economy and to ensure that this sector contributes to our strategic objectives of growing the provincial economy and creating jobs.
We must emerge out of this Indaba with a clear and sustainable programme aimed at increasing Gauteng's competitive position as production and broadcast hub.
Our deliberations at this Indaba must culminate in a joint programme that we will implement together as stakeholders to unsure that we position Gauteng as a prime film destination and production centre of choice.
I am told that during this Indaba, the Gauteng Film Commission will release the findings of the first phase of 'Project Gaullywood' which is a comprehensive review of the state of the film sector in Gauteng.
This review entailed a comprehensive investigation into the size, scope and competitiveness of the film industry in Gauteng. The review is the first of its kind and gives the true size and impact of the Gauteng film industry.
This review is expected to guide future interventions by the public and private sector to support the growth of the film sector in Gauteng.
Programme Director; the film and creative industries continue to play a significant role in the provincial economy in terms of job creation and contribution to economic growth. Gauteng's advanced and world class infrastructure continues to play a significant role in attracting local and international film makers to our province.
We are encouraged to note that Gauteng accounts for the bulk of TV production in South Africa. Gauteng also enjoys a large share of the commercial production sector with an estimated 44% of all commercials filmed in South Africa, shot in Gauteng.
Also encouraging is that our province is increasingly being used as base for the facilitation and provision of logistical and technical services for foreign productions, including foreign feature films.
We also note with appreciation that local demand for entertainment content is on the increase and that our national cinema market is rated as one of the 20 most lucrative markets in the world.
Collectively these positive developments in our film and creative industries should inspire us to further intensify efforts aimed at growing these industries and consolidating their impact on the economy.
As part of implementing the provincial Growth and Development Strategy, we as the Gauteng Provincial Government will continue to support the development of the film and creative industries.
This we will do because these industries have proven themselves the world over to be important elements in the development of successful city regions and can make significant contributions to social and economic development.
We trust that as a result of deliberations at this Indaba, efforts by both the public and private sectors to support the film and creative industries in Gauteng will be strengthened.
We also trust that that this Indaba will pave the way for the development of sustainable partnerships between all stakeholders for the advancement of the film industry.
Let us all put our collective shoulder to the wheel in ensuring that Gauteng becomes a premier film making and production destination.
Once more welcome to the 2007 Gauteng Film Indaba. I wish you fruitful deliberations.
Thank you.