Please sign the SOS petition!

We need your URGENT assistance!

The “Save our SABC” Campaign believes it is critical that the general public feels ownership of the SABC. It is our SABC. One of the most important ways for us to feel this ownership and for the general public to get actively involved is to put forward names for the Board.

We note that the invitation for nominations has been released and the deadline has been set for the end of this month - 31 July 2009. Further we note that small notices have been placed in the supplementary sections of the Mail&Guardian, Star, Sunday Times and Rapport newspapers.

The Coalition is concerned for two reasons. Firstly, we believe that the nomination period is extremely tight and secondly we believe that the dissemination process as regards notifying the public about the nomination process is wholly insufficient.

PLEASE sign the petition here in order to assist SOS in campaigning to (amongst other items) extend the nomination process to the end of August 2009.

SOS: Nominations for the new permanent SABC Board - details of the process

Dear all

We need to start getting CVs together from suitable candidates for the new permanent SABC Board. I have sent you through all the official criteria but now we need to focus our minds on the following. We need people who cover the following sets of skills:

• Corporate governance and finance
• Technology
• Journalism and media
• Industry knowledge (but people who don't have a conflict of interest through direct involvement in broadcasting)

Further to that we need to make sure that the following is also considered:

• Demographics - race, gender, good regional spread, age (we need tried and tested experience and new blood)
  

To ensure that the SABC has editorial independence and can report without fear or favour we need to consider the following disqualifications:

• Political party office bearers
• Senior government officials
• Members of Parliament
• People who have direct involvement in the broadcasting industry

Organisations need to then start drawing up lists of suitable candidates. They need to approach these candidates to see if they are prepared to stand. If they are prepared to stand then the following needs to be done:

• The nominee needs to send you their CV with a letter accepting the nomination.
• You then need to send the CV and the acceptance letter to Parliament. You need to make sure that your organisation's details are also included.
• You need to send this all to Noluthando Skaka at nsaka@parliament.gov.za
• You can call Noluthando on (021) 403-3751 for further information.

Lets get the nomination process going NOW!!!

Kind regards,
Kate Skinner

SABC Staff strike against the "Damagement"

This morning the SABC staff finally took to the streets in a protected strike against the SABC "Damagement," demanding a 12.2% salary increase as per their standard agreements with the SABC.

Members of MWASA, CWU, BEMAWU and supporters such as those from SASFED, the TVIEC, S.O.S, COSATU and the South African Communist Party all gathered behind the Sentech Tower this morning, despite the icy wind in Johannesburg to rally in support of the SABC staff. Addressing the assembled crowd - SOS and the TVIEC pledged their support for the SABC staff and their determination to see real reform within the SABC management.

The protestors marched slowly down the street and gathered outside Radio Park, singing protest songs and waving banners reading "We demand our 12,2%."

Protestors demanded that the SABC management address them face to face and receive a memorandum of demands, which acting groep CEO, Gab Mampone, (after repeatedly being assured that his safety would not be compromised) accepted on behalf of the SABC. Workers at the SABC made it clear that the current economic recession was not to be blamed for the crisis at the SABC but rather corrupt and ineffecient management. A union representative said "We are, ourselves, paying to get to work everyday - but they still have their (company) petrol cards!" The unions refuse to consider anything less than a 12,2% salary increase across the board as there is no sign of change within management.

Union representatives repeatedly cautioned the SABC management that further action would follow if their demands were not met. The memorandum stipulated that the SABC had two days to formally respond to the unions' demands, else the matter would be elevated.

Gab Mampone, though seemingly rather reluctant to speak, assured the crowd that the memorandum of demands would be addressed.

KEISKAMMA – STORY OF LOVE wins Ousmane Sembene Films for Development Award at the 12th Zanzibar International Film Festival

Directed by Miki Redelinghuys and produced by Lauren Groenewald of Plexus Films, KEISKAMMA – A STORY OF LOVE tells the remarkable story of a village that won’t give up in the face of adversity. In verite tradition, the film interweaves the stories of a formidable Aids activist, Eunice Mangwane with and her comrade in arms, Carol Baker. While the artist-doctor, Carol, rushes on bumpy Eastern Cape roads, between Hospice, home visits and creating the altarpiece, Eunice is confronted with news of her daughter and grandson’s HIV positive status. While Eunice tries to save her family, Carol meets Nkululeko – a lonely, bright eyed 13-year old boy who has lost his family through HIV/AIDS. What follows is a story about how love can change the course of someone’s life.

Keiskamma - a story of love has screened at various festivals in South Africa and internationally, including RIDM in Montreal, IDFA in Amsterdam and Thessaloniki in Greece.

DFA Members URGENT Call for expression of interest re documentary on nuclear power generation

Dear DFA Member, we were advised on Friday by Screen Africa (thanks Anglea) that The Nuclear Industry association of South Africa is calling for Documentary Companies to produce two documentaries on nuclear power generation they wish to commission. Mr Walmsley would like to make the selection of who gets invited to the commission briefings on 9 July, so please ensure you sub,it as below by the 7th of July... that's TWO days from now. Good luck!

Call for expression of interest re documentary on nuclear power generation

"The Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (NIASA) wishes to commission a two-part documentary on nuclear power generation. The production will be in two parts to fit 30 minute TV slots. The first part will sketch the world and local energy scene and will examine all available technologies for the large-scale energy generation. It will conclude that, in the near future, the growing demand can only reliably be met by coal and nuclear-fuelled power stations. And, moreover, that coal has severe environmental drawbacks. The second part will examine the real and perceived negatives associated with nuclear power and explain how they are handled.

Production organisations which express interest and are pre-selected will be invited to briefings in Centurion on 16 July and in Century City, Cape Town on 17 July at which the proposed content of the documentaries will be explained in some detail. As currently envisaged, a total of fifteen speakers from Government and industry will be interviewed by a professional 'reporter' assisting a professional 'presenter'. Interested organisations will be invited to tender on the basis of an enquiry document to be distributed at the briefings.”

Expressions of interest must include information on previous experience in the area of scientific documentary filmmaking.
To be considered for the briefings expressions of interest must be emailed to John Walmsley on walmslj@iafrica.com by end of day Tuesday, 7 July 2009.

Call for Entries opened: Invitation from Docudays Ua Human Rights Documentary Days IFF in Ukraine

The DFA received the following festival's call for entries which may be of value to our members.

Submit your film to the 7th edition of DocuDays Ua

Dear Friends,

Dear Collegues,

We are the organizers of the Docudays Ua “Human Rights Documentary Days” International Film Festival.

Our 7th edition of the Festival will take place from March, 26 to April, 2 2010 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The Festival has traditionally

Human Rights Awards

Main International Competition Awards,

Audience Awards

The main idea of the festival is to acquaint the Ukrainian audience with the Best Art -

Documentary, and Best Documentary about Human Rights.

We would be very glad to include your film on the selection to program of the festival.

Selection deadline: November, 30 2009

We would greatly appreciate it if you enter your documentary as early as possible.

Please find the Regulations here and the Entry form here.

In case of your consent I shall highly appreciate your filling the Entry form and sending the DVD

and documents to the following address: Olga Kostina, p.b. 10964, Kharkov, 61013,Ukraine

Please, send back-up copies of your documents to the our e-mail address: gkofman@docudays.org.ua or gkofman@magikafilm.com.ua:

• Entryform
• Still from film
• Photos of the director
• Brief Synopsis
• Brief note about director (filmography)
• Full film credits
• Dialogue list in English, Russian or Ukrainian.

To screening the film the DVD copy is enough.

Directors or producers of films selected for participation in the Festival are invited to participate

in the Festival personally.

The Festival organizers will cover their hotel accommodation, compensates travel expenses and subsistence expenses.

Every successful film shall be represented by only one person.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Very Best Wishes,

Gennady Kofman,

Festival Director

+ 38 050 597 4927

gkofman@docudays.org.ua

The official festival web-site is: www.docudays.org.ua

TVIEC - Press Release 04 July 2009 - Report Back on meeting with Minister

Dear DFA Member,

For the history that lead to this meeting with the Minister, please read this article.

4 July 2009

PRESS RELEASE

REPORT BACK: TVIEC MEETING WITH MINISTER

Yesterday, 3 July 2009, the Hon Minister of Communications, General S. Nyanda met with the TVIEC to receive a briefing on the extent of the crisis facing producers with regards to the turmoil at the SABC.

The TVIEC outlined the continued failure of the SABC to pay producers and the impact of the SABC’s immediate halt on procuring new content. The TVIEC is of the opinion that the independent production sector is under threat and that steps need to be taken to protect the sector.

The Minister affirmed the importance of the independent television production sector, noted its resilience during the economic downturn and its role in job creation. He stated that the sector is seen as a core player in digital convergence which will see increasing demands for local content. He stated that it is in the interest of government to help the independent production industry grow and in the creation of sustainable employment.

The TVIEC pledged to support and co-operate with the interim SABC board to ensure that the public broadcaster is stabilised and the crisis resolved.

The TV industry is estimated, by the Department of Trade and Industry, to employ 30 000 permanent workers and at least as many in freelance positions – as well as support a host of supplier industries. These jobs range from the highly skilled positions of writers and directors to a range of semi-skilled and unskilled positions including drivers, electricians, builders, painters, caterers and security guards.

Each drama series produced employs approximately 60 to 120 people – who in turn support 400 to 800 dependents. In addition, our products have a great multiplier effect. Each drama supports a range of related and unrelated industries from studios and equipment suppliers to clothing shops, hairdressers and food suppliers.

It is for this reason that the TV industry is recognized as a critical growth area for the economy.

The Gauteng Film Office has stated that in 2007, the film and television industry contributed R2.5-billion to the province and created 8 000 jobs. (A 2005 Delloite survey estimated that the SA audio visual industry generates R5.5-billion, with a multiplier of 2.5. They predict ours is an industry that generates in excess of R12-billion worth of economic activity per year.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: tvcrisis@gmail.com

This press release is written on behalf of the TVIEC (Television Industry Emergency Coalition) which consists of: IPO (Independent Producers Organization), SASFED (South African Screen Federation), TPA (The Producers Alliance), DFA (Documentary Filmmakers Association), WGSA (Writers Guild of South Africa) as well as the CWU (Creative Workers Union).

So who's who on the SABC interim board? - From: Business Day

The following release was published by Business Day and we thought it might interest DFA members working with the SABC.

So who's who on the SABC interim board?

The selections for the broadcaster's interim board cover range of expertise.

A good head for business issues 



IRENE CHARNLEY: A well respected businesswoman, Charnley has been proposed by the African National Congress (ANC) as chairwoman of the SABC. She will bring business acumen acquired during her term as executive vice-president of MTN and an executive director of industrial conglomerate Johnnic Holdings. Before entering business, she was a key negotiator for the National Union of Mineworkers. She is CEO and founder of Smile Communications, a low-cost telecommunications operator which plans to offer affordable services to low-income consumers across Africa and the Middle East. 



Joining politics and journalism 


PHILLIP MTIMKULU: A former journalist, Mtimkulu has a doctorate in political studies and has been proposed as deputy chairman by the ANC as it believes he can use his experience to guide the SABC on editorial policy and journalistic ethics. He worked for a number of leading newspapers between 1966 and 1986, during which time he spent three years under a house arrest and banning order. Since 1997 he has been a senior lecturer in political studies at the University of SA. His political studies have concentrated on SA and its transition, developments within the ANC and one-party domination. 



Knowledge of media, gender

LIBBY LLOYD: An independent consultant, Lloyd has a wide range of experience in media and gender issues, having been involved in broadcasting, regulation, public policy development and implementation. She established the Media Development and Diversity Agency to provide financial and other support to media and was its first CEO. She also conducted research for the SABC on the policies required to ensure the equitable treatment of all South African languages and developed a language policy for it. Lloyd has also served as a councillor on the Independent Broadcasting Authority and its successor, the Independent Communications Authority of SA.



A veteran of Parliament 



SUZANNE VOS: A former journalist and Inkatha Freedom Party Member of Parliament, Vos served on the parliamentary communications portfolio committee for 15 years, but did not return to Parliament after this year's general election. She participated in the drafting of broadcasting legislation and knows about the affairs of the public broadcaster, having interacted with board members and executive management over the many years in which they had to appear before the committee. Vos also represented Parliament in the Pan African Parliament. 



Procurement his speciality 



LESLIE SEDIBE: An advocate with a Master's degree in tax law and the head of legal affairs for the World Cup organising committee, Sedibe was chosen for his deep knowledge of procurement issues. He developed the legal policies and municipal supply chain management policies for the World Cup, as well as other policies on ticketing and seat allocation. He held senior positions at EMI Music from 1998-2007.

Compiled by Linda Ensor

Source: Business Day

For more: Selection of SABC board marred by squabbles… Even the selection of the interim board has, not surprisingly, provided its own round of disputes.

New "Perspective" Interview

Finally another interview at ‘Perspective’ with one of South Africa’s top documentary filmmakers, Francois Verster. Verster’s latest film, ‘Sea Point Days’ will premier in South Africa at the Encounters Documentary Film Festival this Friday the 3rd of July.

Please read the interview at: http://dfaperspective.wordpress.com and don’t miss the film!

Encounters Master Classes

11th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival 2009

2-19 July, Nu Metro Cinemas, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

For further details go to www.encounters.co.za

Velcrow Ripper

Sound has the ability to evoke a deep resonance, emotions and memory, similar to the effect scent can have. It can be both subtle, or a sledgehammer. Used with artistry, it can transform a film. One of the distinctive aspects of Ripper’s films (Fierce Light, ScaredSacred) is his exquisite and multi-layered sound design. Many documentarians neglect sound, but for Ripper, sound is as important as the visual element of a film. In addition to sound designing his own films, Ripper has created the soundscapes for such seminal documentaries as The Corporation by Mark Achbar, and A Place Called Chiapas by Nettie Wild.

Saturday 11 July • 9am – 12 midday

Yoav Shamir

How do you gain access to subjects when dealing with sensitive issues? Sometimes

you are an insider, sometimes an outsider, but without access it’s difficult to achieve

what you set out to do. Access and trust, not budget, are the key elements of documentary filmmaking and will produce remarkable results. Shamir is an award-winning filmmaker who has made numerous films where he has gained the unique trust of, and access to, his subjects. His films often deal with sensitive political issues, but through building trust with his subjects he has managed to take us into a world we normally would not see.

Saturday 11 July • 2pm – 5pm

Venue

Protea Hotel, Victoria Junction,

cnr Somerset and Ebenezer Rd, Greenpoint

Booking Details

Master Class bookings contact: Irmgard Schreiber – project@encounters.co.za.

Tickets: R50

For all other enquiries and information

Tel. 021 465 46 86 • reception@encounters.co.za • www.encounters.co.za

The Sponsors of the Encounters Film festival are:

The National Film and Video Foundation, Cape Film Commission, Jan Vrijman Fund/IDFA, Pro Helvetia and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Vivien Cohen and the Human Elephant Foundation, the Africa Centre, French Embassy, British Council, High Commission of Canada, Business & Arts South Africa, Tempest Car Hire, Goodman Gallery, The Times, Exclusive Books, Nu Metro and Cape Town TV.