Pretoria - Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mzwandile Masina is to lead a delegation of film makers to the internationally acclaimed Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) next month.
The Deputy Minister will lead a 20 member delegation to the 40th edition of TIFF which will take place in Canada from 10 to 20 September.
“The participation of South African filmmakers in TIFF is part of the dti’s strategy to create access to local film and video products and promote an increase in the volume of film production in South Africa,” said Deputy Minister Masina on Tuesday.
The purpose of the trip is to showcase the expertise of the emerging South African filmmakers and potentially sell their projects to various buyers.
The trip is also aimed at promoting South Africa’s attractiveness as a film destination of international standard to filmmakers who will descend on the critically acclaimed festival from different parts of the world.
TIFF is one of the worlds most prestigious and internationally-acclaimed film festivals attended by hundreds of industry professionals from across the globe and thousands of movie enthusiasts.
Films from various countries are screened during the 11-day festival.
The Deputy Minister added that the trip will also provide exposure for the emerging filmmakers to the international film and production market.
“South Africa’s growing reputation as a desired filming destination will thus bring with it many advantages of becoming a global filming hotspot. Through promoting South Africa as an international destination to attract further international productions and in encouraging the generation of local content production, the country will continue to enjoy the benefits of the vibrant and growing film industry,” adds Deputy Minister Masina.
He further says that the film and television sector has been identified as one of the priority sectors within the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) due to its ability to promote increased investment, job creation and skills transfer.
“This sector is an important generator of foreign earnings for the country. It contributed approximately R3.5 billion into the South African economy and created more than 25 000 jobs last year,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
