Welcome to Eastern Cape Film Office - ECFO

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Welcome to the Eastern Cape Film Office (ECFO) web portal site.
This portal intends to promote and enhance the accessibility and visibility of the Eastern Cape film industry and culture by means of workshops, roadshows, events and making available opportunities to up and coming and established film entrepreneurs.

The film industry has been identified as a key sector to unlock economic growth potential at all levels of government in South Africa - national, provincial and local. This recognition is manifested in the numerous institutions that have been established to support the SA film industry

Current Film industry:

The companies that operate in the nation's film industry conduct a wide range of activities, which include amongst others:

-   The production of original material for domestic consumption (mainly television programmes, commercials and corporate videos and including feature film);
-   The facilitation of commercials, television and feature film productions that originate overseas and are primarily intended for distribution in the country of origin;
-   The provision of equipment and services for film and television productions;
-   The provision of financial services to the film and television industry;
-   The distribution and exhibition of films and television programmes;
-   Post production operations such as editing, film lab, sound, graphics, etc.
-   Animation

Competitiveness :
The Eastern Cape is a gem undiscovered. The recent filming of "Blood Diamonds" as well as the production of several films, commercials and documentaries indicates that the Eastern Cape is a place of increasing interest to filmmakers. This, coupled with the demand for regional programming from the broadcasters, as well as a developed regional production and marketing strategy, will put the Eastern Cape in the forefront of emerging production markets. The Eastern Cape possesses many of the criteria that determine a region's competitiveness. Together with a comprehensive and innovative strategy the Eastern Cape can become one of the most productive areas.

Employment Intensiveness:  
The film, video, television and multimedia sector is highly employment intensive. The average TV production company employs up to five people full time, and between 20 and 50 crew depending on the size of the production. Actors, models and extras can also range between 1 to 300 people. Feature films employ up to 300 people for up to five months. The diversity of production and the demand for local product speak volumes for the opportunity to increase employment in the Eastern Cape. Several other film intervention strategies across the province, such as audience development and the introduction of Regional and Community TV service will also contribute significantly to employment.

Sustainability:
The level of skills training required as well as the economic opportunities created suggests that these jobs are likely to remain in the province permanently, based on growth projections for the future.

Impact on Poverty Reduction:
Through the creation of demand for locally driven goods and services, the film industry can contribute significantly to poverty reduction and cultural enrichment in the province. The introduction of a comprehensive film and communications strategy, coupled with the imminent introduction of regional and community television can play a major role in the battle against poverty.