South African filmmakers get a boost

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11 June 2015

It’s ‘lights, camera, and action’ for amateur filmmakers in Joburg. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is hosting workshops and practical exercises to boost the industry and to help continue creatively telling South Africa’s original stories.

At the end of the three-day course, on Friday, participants will screen a short film at the OR Tambo Cultural Precinct in Wattville to demonstrate what they have learned.

Workshops are being held at various art centres on the East Rand: the Rhoo Hlatshwayo Art Centre in Daveyton, Moses Molelekwa Arts Centre in Tembisa and the Katlehong Art Centre.

“The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality officials in the performing arts section together with stakeholders such as the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Services Seta will facilitate the workshops with an intention to unpack and address issues of funding, production and scriptwriting, from development to distribution, acting and directing,” spokesperson Themba Gadebe said.

All those who are interested in going to the workshops can contact Nomathemba Maseko-Jele on 011 999 0671/ 079 872 8834 or send an email.

The film industry contributed R3.5-billion to the gross domestic product, said the Department of Trade and Industry. According to the NFVF, Leon Schuster’s Schuks Tshabalala’s Survival Guide to South Africa is the country’s highest grossing film, at R38-million. The film industry supports 25 175 full time jobs, adds the foundation.

Sources: SAnews.gov.za and National Film and Video Foundation