The Council of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) met on 28 July 2005 to consider amongst other things applications for funding of film projects.
The Council resolved that it was not in a position to approve any further projects for funding due to unavailability of funds for the rest of the 2005/6 financial years. The situation has arisen owing to the lapse of the special Feature Film Fund of R35million allocated over a three-year period, which ended 31 March 2005. As there has been no renewal of this funding, the NFVF's 2005/2006 funding budget is R12 million less than that available in the previous three years.
The NFVF Council has already approved projects to the value of R12.5 million in the current financial year. These projects as well as those that the NFVF has committed to for a three-year cycle ending in 2006 will not be affected. This includes festivals and markets that were already budgeted for in this financial year.
BACKGROUND
In anticipation of the possible crisis, the NFVF as early as June 2004, submitted its business plans to the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), targeting the 2004 Medium Term Expenditure Framework Review (MTEF) process and motivated for more funds to sustain the current film industry successes. Therefore the allocation of only R24,6 Million for the current financial cycle represents a great set back.
COMMENSURATE RESOURCES TO THE MANDATE
a. The Council of the NFVF believes that the resources allocated to the NFVF should be commensurate and congruent with the NFVF mandate provided for in terms of the NFVF Act.
b. The current allocation from DAC is based on the budget for the founding phase and establishment phase. It is not appropriate to the rapid growth phase which the NFVF has entered.
c. The focus during the rapid growth phase should be on creating the threshold point to address the historical market failures in the South African film industry while at the same time building a Relative Competitive Advantage at a global level.
It is only this kind of mindset that will make South Africa a strong partner in co-productions.
Mfundi Vundla, Chairperson of the NFVF said, "to remedy the situation requires strong leadership and commitment by government guided by a common vision. The NFVF Council regrets that this situation has arisen to an extent that we can't meet our statutory responsibility as mandated by the Act".
The Council of the NFVF has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Pallo Jordan to find a speedy solution to this crisis.
In spite of this regrettable situation, the Council of the NFVF is proud of its track record and the successes of the past years. >From the R35million committed for the development of feature films, 26 films were produced including the Oscar nominated film "Yesterday" by Darrel Roodt and "Drum" by Zola Maseko the recipient of the Stallion of Yennenga,. These together with other films produced with NFVF funding over the last three years have culminated in well over 30 international awards being earned by the South African film industry.
Posted on Wednesday 3 Aug 2005
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