DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA URGES CANADIANS TO INVEST IN SA FILM INDUSTRY

DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA URGES CANADIANS TO INVEST IN SA FILM INDUSTRY

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina has urged the Canadian businesspeople to invest in the South African film and television industry. Masina was addressing a networking session hosted by the South African Consulate in Canada on the sidelines of the Toronto International Film Festival.

Twenty South African filmmakers, who have been funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) to participate in the festival, which runs from 10-20 September 2015, also attended the session.

“There is no better time for you to invest in the South African film and television industry than now.  South Africa is a perfect location for film productions. The South African government is committed to supporting the country’s film and television industry in order to stimulate its growth because we recognize its importance in creating employment opportunities. To this end, the government has spent about R850 million supporting the industry last year. We give you the assurance that now and beyond the SA government will give you the support that you require to produce films in SA,” pledged Masina.

Masina, who arrived in Canada on Sunday, said he was on a mission to woo major role-players in the Canadian film industry to invest in SA, adding that the country has good film production facilities and outstanding human capabilities. He urged Canadian and South African filmmakers to take advantage of the co-production agreement that the two countries have signed and work together on co-productions in order to benefit from the financial support provided by government.

“We are inspired by the investment that the Canadians have been making since the signing of the co-production treaty. We are committed to working with you to access the market beyond South Africa. We are part of the Africa continent and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India and SA) as an economic block. We can work together in exploring the multiple opportunities provided by Nollywood and Bollywood and take the film industries in South Africa and Canada to the highest level,” said Masina.