
11 September 2010
RIGHT2KNOW Campaign - DFA wish to support campaign & Gauteng Launch Invitation

(Television Press) "Documentary Center" in USA
SOS Feedback - "The SABC Crisis: Finding Lasting Solutions"
09 September 2010
New DFA Board 2010 / 11 year
Interviewers for Perspective
There were so many documentaries screened at Encounters this year, which provide the perfect opportunity for us to learn more about documentary filmmaking from these filmmakers. Two of the filmmakers were interviewed for Perspective, but there are many more.
If you would like to conduct an interview to learn more about their processes and techniques from one of the filmmakers and share that with the rest of us on the blog, please send an email to Tina-Louise: tina@freerangefilms.co.za
NFVF Emerging Producer's Course Shares Invaluable Knowledge with Small Producers
If the first part that took place in July was an interesting insight into the value chain of filmmaking and a good overview of a producer's role in this business, part two was a serious crash course in how you get the money to make a film and pay it back. Angus Finney, an executive producer and the project manager of the London Production Finance Market, took us through the nitty gritty of international production finance and how not to get caught out when swimming with the "big fish".
They were two days of non-stop knowledge off-loading coupled with a lot of questions from a seemingly overwhelmed audience, including myself, as I had never heard of 80% of the strategies and production finance advice this guru was giving us. Angus took us through the ins and outs of putting together a package and raising finance that realistically matched the production in terms of budget and scale, so as to be taken serious by sales agents and other potential investors. He walked us through, what he termed, the 'dark art' of financing: juggling the demands of the different investors and financiers and bringing them all together in one legal document and repayment structure at the right point in time. He illustrated clearly with recoupment tables how the negative costs and investors are repaid in what order and what happens to the equity players after the break even point and the film starts to go into profit - if you should be so lucky.
To round it off, on the last day David Max Brown walked us through two of his finance plans: one for television and one for a feature film. This put all we had learned into a local context and showed us how best it is done here with South African investors and rebates.
All in all I am still reeling from the information overload, but I feel ten years wiser as a producer and want to really commend the NFVF on putting together, what is in my experience, the best training course for a producer I have ever been on.
The course cost me a thousand rand to register, which is 10% of the course's assigned value (although I would value it at far more than that). I had to apply to go on the course with a letter of motivation, preferably having a project in development, pre-production or production to take with. I found the application process simple and straight forward and the course itself was well organised (except for the aircon in the auditorium which froze those in the back and left those in the front baking). The handouts for reading over the duration of the course, that is spaced over four months, are excellent and well worth keeping on standby for the next production.
For more info visit the Sediba page on the NFVF site at http://www.nfvf.co.za
Pascal Schmitz, DFA Treasurer
Colloquium on Media Freedom and Regulation
15 September 2010
1pm – 6pm
Chalsty Centre, Wits University, West Campus
Is South Africa facing the spectre of censorship and media repression?
Focus of the colloquium
On 23 August 2010, Wits and the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism hosted an evening panel discussion to define urgent questions around the ANC’s proposed Media Appeals Tribunal. The Faculty of Humanities invites you to a fuller, follow-up event which will develop the debate about freedom of expression in the media, but also in other realms of communication and publication, in South Africa. The colloquium will focus on a range of relevant proposed legal developments, including the Public Service Broadcasting Bill, ICASA Amendment Bill, Protection of Information Bill and the ANC’s proposed Media Appeals Tribunal (MAT), all of which have implications for freedom of expression, media freedom, and independent regulation of the media. In 10minute presentations, speakers will ask the question whether South Africa is approaching a new era of censorship, media repression and government control of the media which will undermine democratic freedoms as well as the transparency and accountability of the state to its citizens.
Themes/Issues
The colloquium will among other things focus on the following themes or issues:
- Self regulation versus statutory regulation versus independent regulation
- National versus public interest
- State versus public service broadcasting
- Freedom of expression
- Freedom of the media and media independence
- Academic freedom and research
- Editorial and programming independence
- Censorship
- Access to information
- Public Service Broadcasting Bill
- ICASA Amendment Bill
- Protection of Information Bill
- Proposed Media Appeals Tribunal
- National Key Points Act
Format
10 minute presentations on a theme and questions/comments
Presenters
A range of presenters including academics, editors, journalists, lawyers and media activists working on freedom of expression and media freedom to address a specific theme/issue will make presentations on the themes and legislation identified above.
Proposed Presenters
Journalists and Editors (current and former)
- Mr Joe Thloloe - Press Council and Ombudsman - Confirmed
- Professor Gavin Stewart - South African National Editor’s Forum - TBC
- Ms Ferial Haffajee - Media Appeals Tribunal - will attend
Academics
- Professor Anton Harber - Media Appeals Tribunal - confirmed
- Professor Franz Kruger - Showers, the Nellie, brown envelopes, leaks and the ethics of being a battleground.
- Dr Sarah Chiumbu - The Case of Zimbabwe - confirmed
- Dr Last Moyo - The Case of Zimbabwe - confirmed
- Professor Jane Duncan - ANC’s Media Policy and Media Freedom - confirmed
- Professor Iain Currie - Protection of Information Bill - confirmed
- Professor Anthony Butler - Academic research & media freedom - confirmed
- Professor Daryl Glaser - Protection of Information Bill & Democracy - confirmed
- Professor Jonathan Klaaren - Protection of Information Bill - confirmed
Media Freedom Organisations
- Ms. Kate Skinner - Public Service Broadcasting Bill - confirmed
- Ms. Ayesha Kajee - Threats to Freedom of Expression - confirmed
- Mr. William Bird - Public Service Broadcasting Bill - confirmed
- Ms. Prinola Govenden - ICASA Amendment Bill - confirmed
Media Lawyers
- Professor Dario Milo - Constitutional Implications - confirmed
- Ms Pamela Stein - Constitutional Implications - confirmed
- Gilbert Marcus - will attend
- Mr Glen Penfold - will attend
Programme
Moderator: Professor Tawana Kupe
Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Wits University
Time | Topic/Issue | Presenter |
1300 - 1305 | Welcome | Prof Tawana Kupe - Chair |
1305 - 1315 | Public Service Bill | Ms Kate Skinner - SOS |
1315 - 1325 | Public Service Bill | William Bird - MMA |
1325 - 1335 | ICASA Amendment Bill | Ms Prinola Govenden - MMA |
1335 - 1400 | Questions & Comments | Participants |
1400 - 1410 | Media Appeals Tribunal | Prof Gavin Stewart - SANEF |
1410 - 1420 | Media Appeals Tribunal | Mr. Joe Thloloe - Ombudsman |
1420 - 1430 | Showers, the Nellie, brown envelopes, leaks and the ethics of being a battleground. | Prof. Franz Kruger - Wits |
1430 -1440 | Media Appeals Tribunal | Prof Anton Harber Wits |
1440 - 1500 | Questions & Comments | Participants |
1500 - 1510 | Protection of Information Bill | Prof Jonathan Klaaren - Wits |
1510 - 1520 | Protection of Information Bill | Bill Prof. Iain Currie - Wits |
1520 - 1530 | Relationship between Academic research and media freedom | Prof. Anthony Butler - Wits |
1530 - 1540 | Protection of Info Bill & Democracy | Prof Daryl Glaser |
1540 -1600 | Questions & Comments | Participants |
1600 - 1615 | TEA | Participants |
1615 -1625 | Threats to Freedom of Expression | Ms Ayesha Kajee - FXI |
1625 -1635 | Shifts in ANC Media Policy | Prof Jane Duncan – Rhodes |
1635 -1645 | Constitutional Implications | Prof Dario Milo - Wits |
1645 -1655 | Constitutional Implications | Pamela Stein – Webber Wentzel |
1655 -1735 | Questions and Comments | Participants |
1735- 1745 | The Zimbabwe Case | Drs Last Moyo & Sarah Chiumbu |
1745 - 1800 | Concluding Discussion | Participants |
08 September 2010
Where Do I Stand?
When xenophobic attacks broke out across South Africa in May 2008, many found themselves caught off guard, shocked by... violence that felt like a violation of the principles of their newly democratic nation. Over two months, 62 people were killed, hundreds wounded and over a hundred thousand displaced. In the midst of this violence, many young people, clad in the bright greens and maroons of their school uniforms, looted neighborhood shops while some of their classmates, refugees themselves, fled to safer ground. Some youth tried to find a way to help, but still more stood by, watching from their windows or on television.
WHERE: Labia on Orange
WHEN: 19th September 2010
TIME: 18h00
Encounters announces Audience Award winners
The Best South African Documentary winner is:
The 16th Man directed by Clifford Bestall and
The Best International Documentary winner is:
Of Heart and Courage: Béjart Ballet Lausanne directed by Arantxa Aguirre.
A special mention is given to the 2nd and 3rd runners up in both categories:
South African:
2. Afrikaaps directed by Dylan Valley
3. Thembi directed by Jo Menell
International:
2. Yes Men Fix the World directed by Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno
3. Sathima’s Windsong directed by Daniel A. Yon
The Audience Award referee, Professor Tim Dunne, Head of Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, analyzed the eligible ballot forms submitted by the Cape Town festival-goers.
The 2010 programme of 50 films was selected from a record entry of over 800 films, and included several award winning and International festival favourites. Encounters was proud to host 29 South African and African films, and 26 International films.
“This year we challenged ourselves to secure most, if not all of the best films we shortlisted, despite some high screening costs. The popularity of local documentaries with our audiences is a clear indication of the calibre of the programmes selected”, said Festival Director Mandisa Zitha.
This year, Encounters broadened the Festival to two independent theatres, The Labia on Orange in Cape Town and The Bioscope in Johannesburg.
The Festival was organised on a minimal budget, due to funding challenges.
“Since its inception, Encounters has without doubt demonstrated that, even with limited resources, it is a festival that can be sustainable for many years to come,” said NFVF CEO Eddie Mbalo during the Festival opening ceremony. The National Film and Video Foundation is the primary sponsor of the Festival.
The City of Cape Town came on board and pledged their support,
“The hosting of the encounters event shows how far the City has progressed in its push to become the host capital of major events in the World. having been one of the host cities for the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup event, Cape Town is looking forward to hosting more strategic events in order to consolidate this status. One of the major priorities in the City’s revised economic development strategy is the strengthening and growing of key sectors such as the creative industries and tourism that will contribute to the development of Cape Town. Supporting and hosting events like the Encounters Film Festival, a South African International Film Festival will add to the strengthening and growing of the film industry in Cape Town – film industry is part of the creative industries sector,” said Mansoor Mohamed, Executive Director: Economic Social Development and Tourism, City of Cape TownThis Festival and its projects are supported by:
The National Film and Video Foundation is the primary sponsor of the Festival. Encounters is made possible by the further support of the City of Cape Town, Cape Film Commission, Provincial Government of Western Cape, Arts & Culture Trust & Breadline Africa, The Times, Nu Metro, Tempest Car Hire, Out In Africa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council, French Embassy, British Council, Goethe Institut, German Consulate General Cape Town and Cape Town TV.
CFC Annual General Meeting 2010
In a lead up to- and celebration of Heritage Day the CFC will host the 2010 Annual General meeting at the Lookout Hill Tourist Centre in Khayelitsha. This year’s AGM will not only unveil the new CFC board that will take us forward into a new Western Cape film Sector Strategy, but will be an opportunity to recognise the rich diversity of our industry, our city and our province.
DATES TO WATCH:
Deadline for attendance/proxy forms:
16h00 – Friday, 17 September 2010
Deadline for Nominations:
16h00 – Monday, 13 September 2010
Nominations to be posted on CFC Website:
12h00 – Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Request for Change of resolution:
16h00 – Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Annual General Meeting Registration (at venue)
13h00 – 14h00, Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Annual General Meeting Start:
14h00 – Wednesday, 22 September 2010
For all the forms and main procedures download the CFC AGM INFO DOCUMENT 2010
Call for Nominations for CFC Board 2010 / 2011
The Cape Film Commission is currently calling for nominations for the 2010/2011 Board of Directors. The Cape Film Commission`s Board for 2010/2011 will be comprised of 14 seats, representing film industry, City and Provincial Government stakeholders.
2 x Corporate Representation
3 x SMME Representation
2 x Training and Development Representation
2 x HDI Representation
1 x CPA Representation (Appointed by Association)
1 x SAASP Representation (Appointed by Association)
1 x IPO Representation (Appointed by organization)
1 x City of Cape Town Representation (Appointed by Organisation)
1 x Western Cape Provincial Government Representation (Appointed by Organisation
The following seats are open for nomination for the 2010/2011 CFC Board:
Corporate
2 Seats SMME
1 Seat Training and Development
1 Seat HDI
1 Seat
The deadline for nominations is Monday 13th September at 16h00. To nominate candidates please ensure that you are a CFC member and that your details are up to date. We have added additional fields as well as a membership check on our new online update form.
For all the forms and main procedures download the CFC AGM INFO DOCUMENT 2010
06 September 2010
SOS News ICASA denies CTV right to broadcast, Right2know Campaign launched, updates on the SABC, SOS's Constitutional Hill Event
On the more macro front SOS has been calling for the corporate governance breaches at the SABC to be decisively dealt with. Parliament needs to urgently re-convene its Parliamentary hearings into the issues of SABC governance and the turn-around strategy. The Committee must hold the hearing in the open - there is therefore no need to delay the hearing.
Invitation to attend the sos coalition, Cosatu and constitution hill joint seminar
- Minister of Communications: General (Rtd.) Siphiwe Nyanda (tbc)
- SABC Board representative
- ICASA representative
- Mr. Patrick Craven: COSATU Spokesperson
- Ms. Kate Skinner: SOS Coordinator
- Mr, Feizel Mamdoo – Co-Chair South African Screen Federation (SASFED)