SASFED supports termination of CNBC contract with Gauteng Film Commission

On the 11th of November 2010, SASFED sent a letter to the Chief Executive of the Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) in which they expressed concern on a report they had received that 3 million US Dollars of the GFC's annual budget was committed to broadcaster CNBCA each year by way of a five year MOU, (signed by Paul Mashitile the former MEC for the Department of Economic Development) that has already been in place for two of these years. This alarmed SASFED since CNBCA does not act to promote local content production, especially in the independent production sector. SASFED called for this money to rather be made available to Gauteng based companies in the independent production sector, if they were to survive these tough times.

Recently the current MEC for for the Department of Economic Development, Firoz Caachalia , reported to a SASFED board member that contract with CNBCA has been cancelled, and went further to express the GFC would continue to enjoy government support.

SASFED is heartened that such a large budget, (reportedly half of the GFC's total annual budget) has now been freed up within the GFC to the benefit of the Gauteng based Industry. SASFED congratulates the GFC and the new MEC for negotiating the cancellation of this contract and looks forward to GFC re-doubling its efforts with the increased funds to assist in rebuilding the industry in the province. SASFED supports the development of provincial film commissions and offices, and is encouraged by provincial investment in this vital industry.

SASFED is The South African Screen Federation, representing the interest of film and television industry organisations as a collective federation.
Full SASFED Member Organisations: DFA - The Documentary Filmmakers Association / IPO - The Independent Producers Organisation / OSCA SA - The Official South African Casting Association / PMA - The Personal Managers' Association / SAGA - South African Guild of Actors / SAGE - South African Guild of Editors / WGSA - Writers Guild of South Africa / WIFTSA - Women in Film and Television SA / WOS - Women of the Sun

SASFED is also formally affiliated to: FEPACI - Pan African Federation of Film – Makers / SOS: Supporting Public Broadcasting / TVIEC - Television Industry Emergency Coalition

For more information please contact SASFED Communications - Marc Schwinges