Upper East Side Hotel, Woodstock, Cape Town 26 August 2011 Denis Lillie, CEO (left) Denis Skeate, Chair 30 August 2011 Cape Film Commission embarks on major push tho grow the industry The Cape Film Commission (CFC) announced their intention to embark on a major push to grow the province’s film industry. The announcement was made jointly by the CFC’s new Chairman, Mr Denis Skeate, and CEO, Denis Lillie, following the body’s Annual General Meeting Friday 26 August. “Our film industry currently contributes approximately R5.5 billion to the region’s economy and employs 12 500 people. We are confident that we can grow these figures significantly. In the coming year we aim to increase our international market share and number of film-based trade agreements, as well as develop local audiences and local talent. Our goal is to become an internationally recognized film-friendly city.” said Mr Lillie. On CFC’s involvement with the local and international industry he said, “We are working closely with some of the newly established Commercials producers and Stills companies both locally and internationally and are assisting them in the process of filming in Cape Town. We are developing trade agreements with film capital cities such as Hong Kong, London, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mumbai and hope to have tied in some opportunities for distribution deals in those markets for our domestic film makers.” The CFC has also embarked on an internal process to improve its governance. “Under the provision of the new Companies Act, we are reviewing the composition of the Board and the Structure of Membership. We are also developing a Memorandum of Incorporation to replace the body’s previously held Articles of Association. We are implementing corporate governance best practice, including the adoption of King III.” Commissioner Lillie explained. Further to that CFC Chairman Mr Denis Skeate elaborated “We have made certain that all appointed board members have no affiliations within the film industry and therefore do not bear any conflicts of interest that could adversely impact the overall running of the CFC.“ These developments mark a major turning point in the history of the CFC. It has also been announced that the CFC will continue to operate as a stand-alone Section 21 company, and will not be incorporated into the Western Cape Economic Development Agency. This is necessary for it to continue to act as a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and retain its independent position as required by international best practice for any film commission. Commissioner Denis Lillie concluded: “In essence, we are driven to become a very serious film trade and industry employer aimed at showcasing the region’s industry. We are utilizing best practice from the AFCI to guide us to become one of the world’s most respected Film Commissions and filming destinations. With the support we receive from Province and the City, through their respective Economic Development and Tourism Departments, together with the assistance we receive from the Cape Town Film Permit Office and the respective Departments of Roads, Transport and Property around permissions to film, we are well on our way to becoming a world-class Film Friendly City.” Some key achievements of the CFC in 2011 include: Cape Film Commissioner’s membership to the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences CFC’s membership to the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) Signing of a MOU with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) Partnerships with Cape Town Film Studios and local production, documentary and animation companies Agreement with City for CFC to coordinate international marketing strategy for local film festivals Established working relationship with SA USA Ambassador and Consulates Film trade agreements being concluded with international film cities and Commissions i.e. New York, Los Angeles, London, Mumbai, Beijing Strategic alliance with Cape Music Industry Commission Animation – Board representative on Animation South Africa Local Board member on World Film Collective Board Members and part of selection panels for Film Festivals Alignment with UCT and other film training and education institutions Issued by: Denis Lillie, Cape Film Commission 021 483 9070 Print Top