Are you black? Are you a filmmaker? Well have we got news for you! A new incentive program has been announced for the film industry by the DTI, to encourage filmmakers to take on bigger productions.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced the launch of a new incentive program for black filmmakers in South Africa. The new incentive will hopefully encourage filmmakers to take on bigger productions.

This is exciting stuff for the country.

“The program will provide financial assistance to qualifying applicants in a form of a rebate of 50% for the first R6 million of the qualifying South African Production Expenditure (QSAPE) and 25% thereafter for the remainder.”

The previous Film and Television Production and Co-Production Incentive program, which came into effect in 2004, did not cover emerging filmmakers.

DTI Minister Rob Davies hopes that the new incentive program will “create many opportunities for people with low-budget productions for televisions and films”. He has also said that “the country’s film industry needs quality filmmakers in order to live up to its reputation of being a competitive driver of the economy”. He hopes to put together a trade mission to the USA to show what South Africa is capable of film-wise.

These are the requirements:

A total production budget of R1 million and above.
An emerging black filmmaker must, among others, employ a black producer or director who is credited for that role.
At least 65% of the holding/service company must be owned by a black person.
Applicant must have relative film industry experience.
80% principle photography in South Africa and minimum of two weeks filming.
BEE level 3.
80% maximum total funding from state institutions.

Galbraith & Rushby deals with all your financial issues, they can sort out your books, auditing and any tax related queries. For more information on this topic, give their offices a call.