9 September, 2019 - 06:03
Videovision Entertainment, a diversified film and television company, sees a bright future ahead for the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) movie industry as it basks in the glow of success as its latest project, the Sophiatown-themed film, Back of the Moon was released this week.
Videovisions chief executive, Anant Singh, says an increasing number of filmmakers have discovered KZN as an ideal location for film shoots.
The fact that the hit television series like Imbewu: The Seed and Uzalo are shot in Durban puts KZN on the map.
Recently KZN has attracted a few productions, including Keeping Up with the Kandasamys, which broke box office records; the inspirational film about the Dusi Marathon, Beyond the River; the Durban-themed surfing film, Deep End as well as Imbewu: The Seed, the daily drama series that is broadcast on e.tv.
Another KZN produced soap-opera Uzalo, hit the 10 million audience mark in June.
Some KZN produced films have achieved success both in South Africa and abroad, he says.
Having Yesterday, which we filmed in KZN, receive the first Oscar nomination for a South African film is certainly a highlight, as well as the Oscar nomination for Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom. Recently Back of the Moon, which was released this week, won the Best South African Feature Film award at the 2019 Durban International Film Festival.
The film and television industry has grown slowly in KZN and this growth is largely due to the support provided by the KZN Film Commission, says Singh.
More films being made in South Africa now compared to five and 10 years ago, he says.
The South African film and television is supported by the Department of Trade and Industrys rebate programme as well as the Black Filmmakers Fund, which has resulted in more local films being made.
Singh says they are excited about the transformation of the industry and the growth of young emerging black filmmakers who are extremely talented.
According to Videovision, Cape Town is still the premier film production destination, followed by Gauteng, while KZN attracts the least number of productions.
He says the Durban Film Studios is an important project KZN and they hope the development will begin soon.
The development will comprise of Sound Stages and Production Workshops, television studios for live broadcasts, editing suites, the Walk of Fame, a Back-Lot set area, Midway Centre and a Museum of South African Cinema. It will be a hub for the film industry and the creative industries, as well as potential homes for the KZN Film Commission, Durban Film Office and other film industry.
We already have an exciting architectural concept which will change the skyline of Durban and will create a must-see-must-do attraction that will benefit the economy of the province and the city.
Singh says the development said the studio complex, which is a R7.5 billion project will boost economic activity in Durban with an estimated 17 000 construction jobs and an additional 4 300 jobs when the development is fully operational.
The production of Imbewu: The Seed with a budget in excess of R100 million has also been a huge boost for Durban/KZN economy, with more than 150 jobs have been created.
www.iol.co.za
Film Finance
Africa South Africa
Africa Stories
28/06/2025
Johannesburg, 27 June 2025 - As the nation commemorates Youth Month
2025, the N...
24/06/2025
Panels of the National Film and Video Foundation in Accordance with the NFVF Act...
13/06/2025
Johannesburg, 12 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an a...
11/06/2025
Johannesburg, South Africa - 10 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundati...
10/06/2025
Johannesburg, South Africa - 10 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundati...
06/06/2025
S o Paulo Film and Audiovisual Company (Spcine) and the National Film and Video ...
05/06/2025
Johannesburg, South Africa 4 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundatio...
29/05/2025
Rest in Power, a True Legend of Our Screens
Johannesburg, South Africa 27 May...
29/05/2025
Johannesburg, South Africa 28 May 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Vincent Blennies, has resigned from...
22/05/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
13/05/2025
The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture that was create...
10/05/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
09/05/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
09/04/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
08/04/2025
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Vincent Blennies as Chief Exec...
04/04/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites final-year animation students to submit character designs inspired by lead characters from any South Afric...
14/03/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
01/03/2025
Antis pticos Orales: Revisi n De La Literatura Y Perspectiva Actual Influenza son contradictorios, dadas las elevadas tasas de curaci n espont nea. De ser neces...
28/02/2025
The Future of Green Energy: Challenges and Prospects Green energy, also known as renewable energy, has emerged as a critical solution to global energy challenge...
27/02/2025
Beginner Coding in Python: Building the Simplest AI Chat Companion Possible
AI-powered Personal VoiceBot for Language Learning by Gamze Zorlubas
You can ear...
24/12/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is calling for applications from South African film and television filmmakers to be part of the NFVF's delegat...
06/12/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the cl...
30/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
16/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sport, Ar...
16/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites emerging female producers ...
16/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites current masters students t...
30/10/2024
Johannesburg, 26 October 2024 - The 18th Annual South African Film and Televisio...
30/10/2024
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND DOCUMENTARY
!Aitsa
Practitioner: Simon Kohler
Production House: MED CINE
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING DOCUMENTARY
Rise: The Si...
24/10/2024
In accordance with Section 6 (2) (c) of the National Film and Video Foundation A...
19/10/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites postgraduate students to s...
15/10/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (herein referred to as NFVF) is a statutory body set up by the government to grow and develop the South African Film and ...
11/10/2024
10 October 2024 Johannesburg, South Africa - The National Film and Video Found...
09/10/2024
Sportel stand number: Ravel Hall G06/07 After a summer filled with intense sport emotions in Paris, France and beyond, Globecast will be happy to welcome you...
04/10/2024
SAFTAs 18 Announces Date and Theme: Honouring Excellence in South African Film and Television with the theme Back to Basics . Johannesburg, South Africa Wedn...
04/10/2024
Johannesburg, South Africa Wednesday, 2 October 2024 The South African Film ...
01/10/2024
Johannesburg, South Africa - Monday, 30 September 2024 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (...
24/09/2024
Every little girl out there who has felt different because they are not what soc...
09/09/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (herein referred to as NFVF) is a statutory body set up by the government to grow and develop the South African Film and ...
06/09/2024
Johannesburg, 05 September 2024 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF),...
09/08/2024
Johannesburg, 8 August 2024 - It is with profound sadness that the National Film...
01/08/2024
Globecast to Showcase the Broadcast Industry's Most Advanced Connectivity and Hybrid Cloud Solutions at IBC 2024
PARIS, 1 August 2024 Globecast, the lead...
16/07/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
13/07/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
09/07/2024
The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture that is created...
02/07/2024
Arabsat, ASBU and Globecast are commemorating 20 years with a renewed multi-year deal for Global Arabic Bouquet (GAB) services, providing a wide range of DTH di...
11/06/2024
Tuesday 11 June 2024, Johannesburg. The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF...
31/05/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the custodians of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), has learned of the allegations of ill-tr...
22/05/2024
Judge blocks auction of Elvis Presley's Graceland estateA judge in Tennessee has temporarily halted a foreclosure sale of Graceland, the historic home of El...
9 September, 2019 - 06:03 
