Since Sarafina – not the first part that starred Whoopi Goldberg, but the 20 million rand sequel whose fate is better not discussed – government has not been keen to fund movies. But soon emerging film makers will be getting government support. .
The government will, initially, fund six new movies a year for three years, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) media business unit head, Bazil Ford, said at the Durban FilmMart.
“The IDC, working with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Department of Trade and Industry, will make R5m per film available over three years, for six films produced a year. The films will be produced by at least a black film director who controls 51% of the film rights or had 51% control of the production company,” Ford explained.