South African filmmakers are urgently calling for help regarding their troubled cash rebate program, with key organizations asking for explanations about unpaid claims and advocating for increased transparency from those in charge of administering the cash refund system.
The country’s 25% cash rebate program has been significantly hampered due to alleged unexplained delays at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), a government agency responsible for managing this rebate. This department is reportedly behind on processing numerous unpaid claims from local filmmakers, accumulating an unknown amount of debt.
Numerous applications have been left hanging, waiting for approval from a department that hasn’t convened in over a year. This situation was called “shocking” by Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri, the CEO of Known Associates Group, a significant production company.
“We should never have gotten here,” Phiri told EbMaster at the Joburg Film Festival.
This past weekday in Pretoria, South Africa’s capital, numerous film and TV industry workers staged a protest outside the DTIC headquarters. They called for urgent processing of applications pending rebate approval and swift settlement of overdue debts to projects that have already been approved, with some claims going back nearly three years.
Joel Chikapa Phiri, Chairman of Known Associates Group, urged, with much enthusiasm from the crowd, ‘Settle the claims immediately!’
As a movie enthusiast and reviewer, I recently participated in a passionate protest spearheaded by various industry groups such as the Independent Producers Organization (IPO), the Independent Black Filmmakers Collective, Animation SA, and the Documentary Filmmakers Assn. The rally was fueled by our growing frustration, as filmmakers across the board, over the seemingly endless inactivity from government officials who we believe are hindering the flourishing of our industry.
At the gathering, Joel Phiri handed a written complaint to someone from the DTIC. This document detailed the sector’s issues and featured a set of requirements, such as:
1. A revamped rebate system that is easy to understand, trustworthy, and guaranteed, with reasonable deadlines for application acceptance and payment, fewer bureaucratic hurdles, and affordable compliance fees.
The document emphasized the significant impact of the film and television industry on South Africa’s economy, employing around 60,000 people in full or part-time positions prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and generating an annual income of between 8-10 billion rand ($440 million-$550 million).
The pandemic-induced shutdown significantly impacted the sector, and the process of recuperation has been slowed down due to complications with the rebate system, leaving numerous projects in a state of limbo while waiting for approval.
The memo states that the poor communication from the DTIC and lack of a defined strategy for promoting growth and sustainability in these industries has made the situation more challenging. This inactivity poses a risk not only to those directly employed in these sectors, but also to South Africa’s economy, as this industry significantly contributes through its economic ripple effects. At the time of publication, the DTIC had not responded to EbMaster.
The ongoing struggles with rebates have intensified an already tough financial situation for the industry. As producer and IPO chairperson Marc Schwinges explained during a Thursday session at Johannesburg’s JBX market, our financial resources are rather limited and not very substantial. We receive minimal funding from the National Film and Video Foundation, and sometimes we get little support from DTIC as well, if it functions at all. Working within the South African finance system is difficult, and even with a functioning rebate program, it’s tough; but without it, things are becoming even more challenging.
Nomsa Philiso, head of general entertainment at MultiChoice, expressed that the hold-ups at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTIC) have been quite frustrating for numerous content creators.
Everyone is facing difficulties due to the economy, and even free-to-air broadcasters are experiencing hardships,” Philiso explained to EbMaster. “It’s challenging times. With limited resources, it creates considerable stress for a corporation like MultiChoice to continue operations smoothly.
The biggest commissioner in South Africa, the company, believes it has a duty towards the industry. This woman asserted that MultiChoice has no intention of reducing budgets in the near future. She stated that not commissioning new projects would not be an option due to the significant effect it could have on the entire supply chain. In simpler terms, she meant that they can’t afford to stop funding projects because of the impact it would have on the overall value system.
In simpler terms, Cape Town’s usually bustling film production sector is facing challenges too. The doubt about tax rebates is making things harder, and this comes on top of the wider economic instability caused by events like the COVID-19 lockdowns and two consecutive Hollywood strikes over the past few years.
Lynne-Anne Vosloo, head of Moonlighting Films, a major player in production services, acknowledges that despite having a particularly hectic year in 2023, business activity hasn’t yet reached the levels seen prior to the pandemic. “Initially, we anticipated a surge in work once the strikes concluded,” Vosloo shared with EbMaster, “but surprisingly, the expected influx of projects never materialized.”
This version maintains the original’s meaning while using more natural and easy-to-read language.
Nicola Unsworth, the production head at Film Afrika’s competing studio, stated that the South African industry “certainly noticed” the effects from the corporate mergers and cost-reduction measures in Hollywood, which have squeezed commissioning budgets. She pointed out that numerous projects under development were unfortunately “canceled or put on hold.
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve been thrilled by the recent success of Netflix’s live-action “One Piece” adaptation, which just completed Season 2 in the vibrant city of Cape Town. This production, being Netflix’s largest venture in South Africa so far, has played a significant role in sustaining our local film industry. In fact, the sound stages at Cape Town Film Studios are fully occupied by Netflix, reflecting the positive impact it’s had on our community.
Despite some projects initially considering collaboration with Film Afrika in South Africa, they ultimately stepped back due to uncertainties surrounding the rebate. However, our company’s Chief Operating Officer, Marisa Sonemann-Turner, has strategically shifted our approach, prioritizing the value for money we can provide instead of solely relying on the rebate during negotiations. This is because South Africa offers relatively low production costs and a favorable exchange rate, as she aptly put it, “We truly go the extra mile to ensure your investment yields optimal results.” Unsworth further emphasized this commitment by adding, “Every penny spent goes directly towards creating a stunning final product on screen.
For Vosloo, who’s working on Gina Prince-Blythewood’s fantasy epic “Children of Blood and Bone” at Moonlighting, the silence between the South African government and the industry has been particularly vexing. She expressed, “We can’t provide our clients with accurate updates because there’s no dialogue from the DTIC to the industry.” Essentially, she stated, “We’re operating in a state of uncertainty due to the absence of communication.
Following the demonstrations in Pretoria, Tshepiso Phiri of Known Associates stated that Zuko Godlimpi, the deputy minister at DTIC, suggested forming a working committee for dialogue with the department. Additionally, Phiri mentioned bi-weekly meetings between industry and government representatives as part of this initiative. Phiri referred to these actions as a significant advancement.
She stated that he emphasized the need for the department to develop a strategy to settle the pending payments. “They haven’t provided specifics yet, but at least there’s some communication.
In the steadfast sector of our history, I join many others who are maintaining a guarded sense of optimism, believing we’ll eventually find a solution to this standstill. “The general sentiment is overwhelmingly positive,” Philiso shared with me, “Nobody seems ready to give up.
Vosloo pointed out that historically, our industry has experienced downturns,” he said. “However, it’s important to note that after these dips, our industry has always managed to bounce back.
The Joburg Film Festival runs March 11 – 16.
Read More
- Best Crosshair Codes for Fragpunk
- Monster Hunter Wilds Character Design Codes – Ultimate Collection
- Enigma Of Sepia Tier List & Reroll Guide
- Hollow Era Private Server Codes [RELEASE]
- Wuthering Waves: How to Unlock the Reyes Ruins
- FARTCOIN PREDICTION. FARTCOIN cryptocurrency
- Ultimate Tales of Wind Radiant Rebirth Tier List
- Best Jotunnslayer Hordes of Hel Character Builds
- Best Crossbow Build in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
- Skull and Bones Timed Out: Players Frustrated by PSN Issues
2025-03-14 10:17