Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Wandile Molebatsi - Catalyst for Change

 

The Film & Television sector represents R4,7 Billion and can provide jobs and transformation in the real economic sense to change lives and uplift those participating in the entertainment industry.

 

Filmmaker Wandile Molebatsi

Despite the growth of black filmmakers who are producing wonderful local content and Hollywood blockbusters being filmed on our shores, only R15.8 Million of that investment is going to black, female and previously disadvantaged people and companies.

This is according to actor and filmmaker Wandile Molebatsi who believes that the industry has massive potential for life-changing employment and transformation in the real economic sense, yet the question he asks is: “There is still an obvious disparity in the industry, what can we do about it together?”

As the founder and Executive Producer of Coal Stove Pictures, Wandile has been creating stories that shape a positive narrative of Africa for 25 years. His expertise and reputation in the industry have made him uniquely qualified to be one of the drivers for this transition in the South African Film & Television industry.

Wandile is passionate about seeing more black, female and previously disadvantaged people actively participating in the R4,7 Billion that is being spent in South Africa. His mission is to encourage international stakeholders to give newer black-owned suppliers an opportunity.

“As an industry we have the potential to be real catalysts of change at this critical stage,” says Wandile. “With the revolution that is happening in the digital space due to powerful streamers like NetFlix, Amazon, Hulu & DisneyPlus coming to the continent, it is more important than ever for the rights of producers, actors and content creators to be protected.”

From an intellectual standpoint the way that Producers (I.P creators) have engaged with MNET, SABC and eTV has been very top down. However, with the importance that the South African government is placing on real, practical and measurable transformation, we have an opportunity to navigate this space and create an industry that is diverse, inclusive, and resilient.”

According to Wandile the second half of the challenge comes in shifting the spending behaviour of network executives and producers. Many have long standing relationships with their suppliers and believe that taking on new entrants is risky. This challenge is then compounded by the reality that many black suppliers do not have the liquidity of cash flow to float the initial costs of any work given by those who are willing to make the change.

There are financial incentives available from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to convince international stakeholders to support newer black-owned companies. These incentives include a rebate system that allows producers to attract international producers to shoot their films in South Africa. The Rebate works in phases. For International Co-Productions, 25% - 35% of all spend that is spent in SA will be given as a rebate for “re-investment”. In the case of Local Film production, these rebates can go up to 50% if it is a production that qualifies in terms of the BEE requirements.

There are also entities like the Industrial Development Co-Operation (IDC) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) that are also actively investing in the film & television sector.

“What is wonderful to see in this shifting landscape is that intelligent, pioneering black women are taking the helm of massive productions,” he says. “Watching as resilient, innovative African women rise to the highest ranks despite historically embedded challenges fills me with excitement for the opportunities the future may bring for my own daughter.”

“Often the challenge is that black women simply be given the correct platform and be allowed to excel. Something traditional corporate South Africa - who still has a hold on the Film & TV Industry - is slow to embrace.”

Whilst there is no doubt that the industry is still structurally flawed, steps need to be taken to ensure that the South African Film & TV Industry of the future is a more inclusive space for everyone. It is the combination of policy changes, the DTIC’s incentive initiative, and the passion and drive of trusted film authorities like Wandile that will see the industry progress to an inclusive future.

Resources for Filmmakers:

http://www.thedtic.gov.za/financial-and-non-financial-support/incentives/film-incentive/south-african-film-and-television-production-incentive-3/


Thursday, December 13, 2018

Proudly SA Teams Up With Spider-Man


In what seems an unlikely connection, Proudly South African and its dedicated online shopping portal, www.RSAMade.co.za have partnered with Sony Movies SA in a special promotion ahead of the release of the blockbuster movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, scheduled to go on circuit on 14 December.

Image TM and Copyright: Marvel and Sony Pictures Animation. 


In this movie you don’t need a mask to be a hero - Spider-Man is everyone and Proudly SA is appealing to all South Africans this festive season and beyond to be a local hero by choosing to support local products and services.



The competition, being run online, invites shoppers to spend R1 000 or more on any Proudly South African purchase on www.rsamade.co.za and stand the chance to win an RSAMade shopping voucher worth R1 000. In addition, every week from now until the promotion closed on 29 December, chosen lucky winners will receive a Spider-Verse hamper and movie tickets.

Lucretia Anthony, Sony Marketing Manager said, “We’re excited about this unique partnership between RSAMade and Sony’s ground-breaking film SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE.  Just as the film highlights the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask, we look forward to the association with the limitless possibilities that the RSAMade platform has to offer.”

Proudly SA’s CEO, Eustace Mashimbye said, “We are turning our partnership with the massive international Spider-Man property into a focus on everything that is local. Everything on our dedicated online shopping platform www.rsamade.co.za where the promotion is running is Proudly South African, and we, together with our partners are appealing to all South Africans to be local heroes and make buy local choices, and assist the economy and job creation.”

RSAMade’s CEO, Karamba Jabbie added, “We are excited to be part of this massive IP and to support and uplift our local manufacturers together with Sony Movies SA, and so we encourage every South African to be the hero of their own and support Proudly South Africa by buying from www.rsamade.co.za . This helps many families ‘behind the scenes’. You don’t need a mask to be a hero!”

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is set to be a huge box office hit over the holidays and movie go-ers are asked to be reminded each time they see Spider-Man publicity that they don’t need a mask to be a hero, they just need to BUY LOCAL on www.rsamade.co.za


This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton 


Saturday, April 29, 2017

South African Film 'Inxeba' (The Wound) Hits The Big Screen In France


Since its successful world premiere at The Sundance Film Festival and its European premiere as the opening film on the Panorama programme at the 67th Berlinale in Germany, South African Film 'Inxeba' (The Wound) released in theatres in France.

This is a film about the clash between tradition and modernity. This is the first feature film from writer-director John Trengrove, co-written by Thando Mgqolozana and Malusi Bengu.

It was released in 41 screens in France.

The film stars Nakhane Toure as Xolani, a lonely factory worker, who joins men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood.


Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens In Ster-Kinekor’s IMAX Cinema For An Inter-Galactic Experience



Opening on 16th December 2016 you don’t have long to wait.

This is the 7th instalment of the Star Wars Saga.
Ster-Kinekor has revealed that advanced bookings have reached epic proportions.  To date more than 34 500 tickets have already been purchased.  Of these pre-sales more than half the tickets –  18 300 (as at 9 Dec) are for the IMAX 3D experience which offers the most immersive experience.

There are 6 IMAX theatres across South Africa.  Gateway in Durban, The Grove in Pretoria, CapeGate in Cape Town, Baywest Mall in PE, Cradlestone Mall in Krugersdorp and the new IMAX at Eastgate in Johannesburg.

This time round Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you to a galaxy far, far away.

Boasting an all-star cast including Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyongo’o, Andy Serkis, Max Von Sydow and many more.

For more info and to book tickets visit www.sterkinekor.com

You can also download the Ster-Kinekor App.

Or call 0861 668 437 to book tickets.


Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Books at Berlinale - Turn your book into a film - deadline 19 November 2015


Books at Berlinale: Call for Book Submissions – Deadline 19 November 2015

Looking to get your book made into a film? Then this might be for you.

10 books will be selected during the ‘Books at Berlinale’ networking event in February.  These pre-selected novels will be pitched to an audience of around 120 internationally established producers.  The presentation is followed by a networking event where contacts with producers can be established.

The 10 selected books will also be published in the ‘Books at Berlinale’ catalogue which will be handed out to attending producers.

You should be the film rights holder of the novel. Your book proposal should be a best-selling or brand new yet to be published novel with great potential for screen adaptation.  An English translation should exist to be handed out to interested producers.

Most producers work in the independent arthouse sector.  Your book should be suitable for this sector.

For more info email: books@berlinale.de

Article by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton 

Monday, October 26, 2015

Record Opening Days of Pre-Ticket Sales at Ster-Kinekor for Star Wars: The Force Awakens


Ster-Kinekor Experiences Record Opening Days of Pre-Ticket Sales for Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Bookings opened on Monday, 19 October and a record number of 2299 tickets were snapped up on the first day.  This is the highest number of tickets sold on the first day of bookings’ opening in Ster-Kinekor’s recorded history.  Of this total 1387 were booked for the IMAX 3D.  The previous record for the first day of booking was held by Fifty Shades of Grey earlier this year.
From Monday to Thursday last week the figure increased to 8678 pre-tickets sold.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens nationwide on 16 December in South Africa.

Article by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton 

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Interview with Fulu Mugovhani


Meet one of the lead actors from Ayanda. 

Fulu Mugovhani - Picture by Fred Felton


How did you get into acting?
I studied first and then got a part in ‘The Lion King’ which took me to Hong Kong.  It was a great experience to be in the theatre.  I came back to SA and TV opportunities came up.  I had a part in Scandal and that taught me a lot.  It’s a different genre.  You learn different ways of acting.  You have to believe in the story. It taught me a lot.

How did you get the role in Ayanda?
Nthathi called me, she suggested me.  Sara Blecher saw me.  She allowed me the process.  We had to rehearse and workshop.  Ayanda is almost in every frame.  I had to tell her story.

What was it like to act with Kenneth Nkosi?
It was unbelievable to work with Kenneth.

Are you a method actor?
I’m not a method actor.  I work on imagination.  It’s through imagination.  I had to imagine Ayanda’s father has passed away.

What do you think of the Durban International Film Festival?
This is my second DIFF.  I’m also part of the Leading Lady Lounge as well.

What’s next for you?
I’m looking at Hollywood and also Broadway.

What’s your advice for the youngsters out there who want to become Actors?
Say it but live it.  You have to work hard.  Believe in yourself.  You need to reassure yourself.  Not everyone has the opportunity to study.  You must make sure that you are in it for the right reasons.

For more info on Ayanda and all of the other films that showed at DIFF visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za

Interview by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton