Industry Organisations

Government Organisations

Department of Communications
The mission of the Department of Communications (DoC) is to create an enabling environment for inclusive communication services that promote socio-economic development and investment through broadcasting, new media, print media and other new technologies, and brand the country locally and internationally. Visit website.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
The Department of Trade and Industry is the department of the South African government with responsibility for commercial policy and industrial policy. Visit website.

WESGRO
WESGRO is the official Destination Marketing, Investment, and Trade Agency for the Western Cape, located in Cape Town. It is the first point of contact for foreign buyers, local exporters and investors wishing to take advantage of business opportunities in the region. Visit website. 

Durban Film Office (DFO)
The DFO is a division of the Department of Economic Development at the eThekwini Municipality responsible for the promotion and development of the Film Industry in the eThekwini Municipality. It has a range of stakeholders, including national, provincial, local government, participants in the different business models of the film sector, host communities, local broadcasters, the international production sector, the media, suppliers and technical crew. Visit website

Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC)
The ECDC is an economic development agency that provides long and short-term finance, assists investors with identifying opportunities in the province and conducts trade promotion. Visit website.

Film and Publication Board (FPB)
Film and Publication Board is a statutory body whose task is mainly to classify films, videos, DVDs, computer games and certain publications that are available for public consumption. Visit website.

Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA)
The CCIFSA is the controlling body set up with the assistance of the Department of Arts and Culture for cultural and creative sectors in South Africa. It was formed as a non-profit company (NPC) to promote and develop the social and economic interests of the cultural and creative industries and to act as the controlling body for these sectors.  Visit website.

KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission
The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission was established in 2010 and aims to fulfil its mandate to make the province a film production centre. In 2014/2015, it developed systems and policies to support and attract national and international industry role-players. Visit website.

Limpopo Economic Development Agency
The Limpopo Economic Development Agency was established as a special economic and development vehicle, culminating in the amalgamation of four agencies: namely:

  • Trade and Investment Limpopo
  • Limpopo Business Support Agency
  • Limpopo Agribusiness Development Corporation
  • Limpopo Economic Development Enterprise
    Visit website.

Limpopo Film Office
Limpopo Film Office was established to represent Limpopo Filmmakers. Visit page.

MICT SETA
The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) is responsible for skills development in the Advertising, Electronic Media and Film, Electronics, Information Technology and Telecommunications sectors and their subsectors. The sector comprises 160 large companies, 342 medium companies, and 2,785 small levy-paying companies. Visit website.

Gauteng Film Commission
The Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) develops, promotes, and coordinates the film and TV production industry in the Gauteng Province. An agency of the Gauteng Provincial Government, it is tasked with positioning the province as a world-class destination for filmmaking as well as attracting local and international investments in the film and TV industry. Visit website.

Industrial Development Corporation
Established in 1940, the IDC is a national development finance institution set up to promote economic growth and industrial development. It is owned by the South African government under the supervision of the Economic Development Department. Visit website.

Industry Publications

Callsheet
Founded in 2003, Film & Event Media produces business to business publications and acts as an online media hub for the film and events industries. It is committed to the growth and development of both industries. The monthlies and annuals include The Filmmakers Guide to South Africa – a showcase of the SA film industry targeted at an international market; The Event – a monthly that covers the thriving African events and exhibitions industry and The Callsheet – a monthly about the African film industry that covers commercials, film, technology, documentaries and more. Coming in 2021 (is this date correct Nombuso) for the first time is the Event Planner’s Guide to South Africa – the ultimate resource for international event planners looking to utilise SA for their next event or exhibition. Visit website.

Screen Africa
Screen Africa provides insightful information in its print and electronic publications about SA’s professional entertainment industry, comprising broadcast, film, TV, commercials and new media production, plus events and professional equipment. Visit website

The Bar Magazine
Thebar. is an online magazine platform (www.thebar.co.za) that captures the past, present and future value of the African film & tv industry. Its purpose is to elevate these industries and their leaders by showcasing high quality, breakthrough content that elicits a strong response from those working inside the industry and outside it. – Visit website

Industry organisations

SASFED
The South African Screen Federation (SASFED), found in 2006, is the national federation of independent film, TV, and audio-visual industry organisations. representing many professionals and companies that are operating in an increasingly diverse and growing sector.

SASFED is guided by a constitution, which states that only bona fide industry bodies may join, and proudly represents the collective core of South Africa’s independent screen industry, with current full member organisations : Documentary Filmmakers’ Association (DFA)Independent Producers’ Organisation (IPO)Personal Managers’ Association (PMA)Animation South Africa (A.S.A)South African Guild of Actors (SAGA)Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT)South African Guild of Editors (SAGE) and Writers’ Guild of South Africa (WGSA).

Key SASFED partnerships include:

  • Terms of Engagement with the NFVF, to engage on industry strategy, policy, and interventions.
  • Two permanent seats on the board of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAS)
  • Board member of SOS: Supporting Public Broadcasting Coalition
  • Representation on the Digital Television Advisory Group, ICASA
  • Representation on the DSAC Audio-visual Reference Group

SASFED aims and objectives:

  • to empower, unify and strengthen the SA screen industry.
  • to protect the rights of the SA screen industry and all that work in it through self-regulation
  • to lobby the government wherever necessary to change legislation, regulations, and policies to advance the South African screen industry and ensure its growth and development.
  • to promote gender equality throughout the SA screen industry value chain
  • to transform the screen industry by opposing all forms of discrimination and oppression, recognising that to thoroughly fulfil its economic, social, and cultural potential it must overcome the racial inequalities created under apartheid.
  • to encourage all members to adopt policies and implement programmes ensuring deliberate access by historically disadvantaged South Africans at all levels of their organisations and industry sectors.

SASFED member organisations

A.S.A – ANIMATION SOUTH AFRICA

Website: http://animationsa.org
Animation South Africa (A.S.A) is a non-profit organisation mandated by industry to develop and represent South African animation.

It was founded in 2006 by a group of like-minded animation industry professionals to create a culture of knowledge-sharing in South African animation. There are two chapters, one in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg.

The mandate is to facilitate the growth and evolution of South Africa’s animation industry by:

  • Creating new business opportunities by identifying and coordinating export missions to key markets.
  • Conducting and participating in global market research.
  • Creating knowledge-sharing opportunities to upskill animation professionals.
  • Helping bring studios and their original properties to market readiness.
  • The consulting government on policy and strategy, building the framework to enable the animation industry to thrive.
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS' ASSOCIATION SA

Established to nurture and develop the interests of documentary filmmakers in South Africa. It is the most accessible genre of filmmaking yet is often marginalised within the bigger environment of the film and the broadcast industry.  The DFA addresses the specific needs of documentary filmmakers and networks with related industry bodies, in the interests of documentary filmmakers.
Visit website:  www.docfilmsa.com

INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS’ ORGANISATION

A voluntary organisation that aims to represent, promote, and protect the specific needs of producers.

It aims to:

  • Develop, support, and implement growth strategies for the industry to increase local, continental, and international markets.
  • Propel producers to the forefront of technological, economic, and cultural changes.
  • Interact with and create negotiating channels and standard agreements with related industry organisations (e.g., actors’ and crew unions, writers’ and musicians’ guilds, broadcasters, distributors, etc.).
  • Regulate relations between members and employees or trade unions.
  • Promote health and safety standards for the industry.
  • Play a key role in education, training, and enhancement of skills.

Visit website: www.ipo.org.za

PERSONAL MANAGERS' ASSOCIATION

The Personnel Manager’s Association is a community of Actors Agents consisting of members; associate and affiliate members whose goal is to guide actors in their professional careers, uphold professional standards on behalf of performers with regards to contracts (and their standardization); advise on fees and working conditions in the film; TV, voice; theatre; presenting; commercials; industrial theatre; and corporate theatre; etc.
Visit website: http://www.thepma.co.za/

SOUTH AFRICAN GUILD OF ACTORS

SAGA was established to regulate relations between actors and film / TV/theatre/radio producers, including any film / TV/theatre/radio producers’ organisations.

It aims to:

  • Plan and organise its members’ administration and lawful activities.
  • Promote, support, or oppose any proposed legislative or other measures affecting the interests of its members.
  • Provide legal assistance to members in connection with their contracts with film/TV/theatre/radio producers.
  • Encourage the settlement of disputes between members and film/TV/theatre producers or organisations by conciliation, mediation, or arbitration.
  • Organise and represent members for collective bargaining.
  • Borrow, invest, lend, subscribe, or donate money for the furtherance of the objects of SAGA.
  • Establish educational, social, and charitable enterprises for the general welfare and advancement of SAGA members.

Visit website: www.saguildofactors.co.za

SOUTH AFRICAN GUILD OF EDITORS

A voluntary, non-profit organisation that represents film and video picture editors, assistant editors, and sound editors. SAGE has become a recognised player in the film and TV industry.

SAGE aims to promote the art of editing. It represents post-production professionals’ interests at industry and government levels.
Visit Website: www.editorsguildsa.org

SISTERS WORKING IN FILM AND TELEVISION

A non-profit organisation committed to empowering women working in the industry, advocating gender and race parity, recognising the intersectionality of women’s experiences both in front and behind the camera.

It also provides professional support and development, mentorship, and networking opportunities to members.
Visit website: www.swiftsa.org.za

WRITERS GUILD OF SOUTH AFRICA

Established in 2009 to protect, empower and develop performance writers in the local film, TV, radio, stage, animation, and new media (internet – mobile and digital distribution, and gaming) industries.

The Guild also serves as a Collection Agent for writers’ residuals and manages an affordable local Script Registry. WGSA is an affiliate member of the International Association of Writers Guilds (IAWG).
Visit website: www.writersguildsa.org

Click on the relevant document title below to download

The South African film industry is invited to comment on the following coproduction treaties. Deadline: 30 April 2021.

Foreign Film and Television Production and Post-Production Incentive 

SA Film & TV Production and Co-production (SA Film)

The South African Emerging Black Filmmakers Incentive (SA Emerging Black Film)

South African Revenue Service  – The Film Tax Incentive/Allowance

The South African Revenue Service introduced Section 120 of the Income Tax Act in 2012, which provides for an incentive in the form of a tax allowance to stimulate film production. In order to qualify for the tax allowance, taxpayers must meet the following criteria:

  • Income must be derived from a film
  • The film must be approved as a local film or co-production
  • Income must be allocable to the initial investors
  • Income must be derived from the exploitation of rights
  • Income must fall within a 10 year period