PRESENTATION TO PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE: ARTS & CULTURE NOVEMBER 2007

MORAL IMPERATIVE It is a national imperative to create facilities for ordinary South Africans to bear influence in the expression of their own image, thereby deepen democracy and create prosperity. The National Film and Video Foundation strives for this noble ideal.

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) Audit Findings Other Matters: Due to the specialised nature of the NFVF business most of the suppliers were unique and had to be sourced from specific service providers. This made it impractical to always invite competitive bids. Due to delays in the appointment of the new Council members, the audit committee, which is a sub- committee of the Council, met twice in the financial year 2006/07. This resulted in the audit committee not being able to perform certain functions as required by Treasury regulation

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS Sediba Skills development initiative A good script is the foundation of a great programme or movie and SEDIBA aims to provide the industry with a script development and script editors’ training programme, which emphasises the creative team while acknowledging the writers’ position. This is to support, nurture and develop South African writing talent.

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) Sediba Skills development initiative (cont) During this financial year: Developed 14 commissioned SABC drama projects Almost 100 people trained including script editors, and commissioning editors Introduction of “Spark” programme for 1 st time writers during which 14 writers were trained

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) 25 Words or Less Genre contest In anticipation of the signing of the SA/UK co- production treaty, the NFVF in association with the UK Film Council launched the 25 Words or less pitch contest focusing on 3 genres: fish out of water comedy; teen horror; and zero to hero. 4 Winners selected Intensive training & development workshops

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) Short Film Contests As part of the NFVF’s strategy to develop and produce specific genre films that reflect and develop a South African aesthetic, including the production of indigenous language product, the NFVF introduced 2 short film contests: Projects in indigenous languages Projects by women filmmakers 14 applicants in both categories have been short listed Projects are being workshoped by Sediba programme

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) 50 Bursaries awarded for full time study 5 students participated at “Imagine” training programme in Burkina Faso Support given to 6 training programmes including “Anamation Training Initiative”; Women of the Sun; Scrawl; Monash 37 Development grants 26 Production grants

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTA’s) The SAFTA’s were set up to recognise, reward and popularise local film and television content and talent. The intention was to give prestige to local content, which in turn would increase its popularity, thereby increasing its demand and growing its audiences. Event held on 27 & 28 th October 2006 Live SABC broadcast 74 Awards presented

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) National Film Festivals The NFVF supports film festivals at a national level to fulfil the following main objectives: To grow markets for South African cinema. To provide avenues for the distribution of South African film. To increase the revenue streams coming into the industry and reverse the decline in cinema attendance. To stimulate the culture of film appreciation, (especially of South African content) and cinema going.

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) National Film Festivals Supported Durban International Film Festival - Durban Encounters Documentary Festival – Johannesburg & Cape Town TriContinents Film Festival - Johannesburg & Cape Town North West Film Festival - Mafikeng Apollo Film Festival - Victoria West Malopo Arts Festival - Mamelodi Cape Town World Cinema Festival - Cape Town Soweto Arts Festival - Johannesburg KwaMashu Film Festival - Durban Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - Johannesburg

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) International Film Festivals Since 2001, the NFVF has embarked on a concerted programme to position the South African industry in the global arena and to carve a unique South African niche in the global film industry. The NFVF hosts national pavilions at various festivals which provide a business environment for South African filmmakers to have a home and a base away from home to allow them to conduct business in an environment that is as conducive and accommodating as possible.

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) International Film Festivals attended Cannes Film Festival - France Mipcom and MipTv - France AFCI Locations Expo - Los Angeles USA Venice Film Festival - Italy Toronto Film Festival – Canada Berlin Film Festival - Germany

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) National Film School Feasibility Study The goal of the study is to develop a national education and training strategy for the South African film industry. The deliverables of the study are: Industry skills needs analysis (quantitative and qualitative); Education and training impact analysis; Best practice models for film education and training; Feasibility of the establishment of a national film school.

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS (cont) Co-Production Treaties Treaty with United Kingdom signed in May 2006 Currently negotiating treaties with the following countries Ireland New Zealand Australia France 8 projects certified under current treaties in 06/07.

The NFVF would like to acknowledge and thank the Portfolio Committee for raising the following issues during the Minister’s Budget speech in June 2007: In order to create a sustainable industry and sustainable jobs, South Africa needs to produce at least 15 – 20 films per annum in the next five years. In the past year, only 2 feature films have been produced & released. The rand value attributable to production has declined. CHALLENGES

The NFVF needs a long term vision and commitment by the department in order for us to plan accordingly. In order to achieve its mandate the NFVF needs to increase its capacity. Currently, NFVF staff are overburdened in attempting to meet all of its mandates. The NFVF is limited in that only 25% of income can be spent on administration costs. This lack of resources also impacts on the level of compliance with various legislations including the PFMA. CHALLENGES (cont)