• General Info
• Sithengi News
• Television
• Film
• Festivals & Markets
• Profiles
• Archive

This follows the resounding success of the Film Indaba 2001 whereby industry stakeholders gathered to discuss pertinent issues relevant to the development of the film sector. Amongst other things Film Indaba 2001 assisted in the development of the NFVF Strategy which resulted in the compilation of the Value Charter which was launched in December 2004.

While engaging with the industry at the event, the NFVF will use the platform to give a report back on several developments that have taken place in the sector between 2001 and 2005.

Of great importance to the hosting of Film Indaba 2005 is the review of the NFVF Value Charter; a document of intent which contains various initiatives and programmes which are aimed at further developing the film sector. It is hoped that the Value Charter will be adopted by government as a national guideline for the growth of the sector. The five - year growth plan of the film sector which is encapsulated in the Value Charter will be presented by the NFVF at Film Indaba 2005.

"The Film Industry's Value Charter is the outcome of the Strategy Document as adopted by the Council of the NFVF. The purpose of the Value Charter is to present cross cutting initiatives that are necessary for the development and growth of the sector. Growth and Development requires a shared vision by all stakeholders. This shared vision will mobilize our efforts to create critical mass and sustainable development", said Eddie Mbalo, the CEO of the NFVF.

The Indaba programme will begin with presentations by Senior Officials from the Departments of Arts and Culture, Trade and Industry, the Industrial Development Corporation, MAPPP (Media, Publishing, Print, Packaging) SETA, and the provincial film commissions and film offices.

These presentations will be followed by six break - away session groups that will focus on the following topics:

• Sectoral co-ordination - this entails discussions around issues of industry fragmentation and co - ordination of resources between government departments, Industry institutions, and the private sector. 
• Demand Stimulation, audience development and facilities - development of markets for South African film and raising awareness and appreciation of local product.
• The development of the Indigenous Industry - the development and enhancement of local content and genre.
• Global Positioning of the South African Industry - the further positioning of the South African film sector in various international markets and festivals.
• Capital Formation - the sourcing of finance and investment for the film sector.
• Training and Skills Development - development and implementation of training programmes and initiatives.

All delegates will be given an opportunity to provide input into the above - mentioned topics during the course of the conference. The decisions taken from Film Indaba 2005 will be repackaged for the purpose of enhancing the NFVF's Film Development Strategy that will be presented to Cabinet.

The NFVF will also launch the Sectoral Information System; a tool that will guide the collection of industry data and will become the central tool to assess the economic value of the industry.

Background

The Film Indaba 2001 was the turning point for the development of the film sector. The outcome was a roadmap that was created for the growth of the film industry. The report on Film Indaba 2001 ascertained the need for structures and initiatives in order to meet the desirable ends that would ensure that the then fledging film sector moved towards adequate and equitable redress of the imbalances of the past.

The report informed the sector of the following industry needs: 

• The need for a federation of professional bodies as a means to create a common voice within the industry and to form a singular consultative process amongst role players and stakeholders. 
• The need to create data and information, to analyse and convert it into usable intelligence, and to make it available to all stakeholders within the industry.
• The need to consolidate all financial, business and audiences knowledge to access the funding and finances available to the industry.
• The need for broad based training programmes, especially in the areas of business skills, management, copyright, marketing and distribution.

Posted on Monday 8 Aug 2005