South Africa, Canada Strengthen Film Partnership

Pretoria, South Africa – The Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, has announced the signing of an amended agreement with Canada to adapt their film partnership to the evolving landscape of the industry.

The updated agreement aims to incorporate new media, animation, and television production into the existing framework, ensuring that South Africa remains competitive in the global film market.

Minister McKenzie expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting its significant contribution to the growth of the South African film industry. “The Canada agreement has been instrumental in supporting South African filmmakers and opening doors for our talent on the international stage,” he said.

Since its inception in 1997, the partnership has resulted in the production of over 30 projects, showcasing South African films to North American and global audiences. The NFVF-Canada Media Fund, established in 2018, has further strengthened the collaboration by providing funding for three South African TV series or films each year.

The amended agreement offers numerous benefits to the South African film industry, including increased access to international markets, job creation, and foreign investment. South Africa’s unique locations, languages, and cultural heritage are now being showcased to a global audience through this partnership.

Minister McKenzie emphasized the potential of the co-production treaty with Canada, which provides opportunities for South African filmmakers to participate in big-budget productions, attend international festivals, and receive training. The future of South African film, he concluded, is brighter than ever.