Hollywood has always been the worldwide film mecca however filming in the United States is not always the cheapest and best option for filmmakers. There are now many international growing film industries that offer real benefits to shooting at their studios or diverse locations. Canada, India, the United Kingdom and Australia are some international film industries that have been receiving praise. A recent and exciting up-and-coming film industry is South Africa. South Africa’s film industry has been in full swing since the end of Apartheid and has some real accolades to show for it. Aside from producing exciting film stars, such as Charlize Theron and Arnold Vosloo, the films themselves have received both nods and recognition by the Academy Awards.

Aside from the stars and the awards, taking a film to South Africa has real, tangible benefits to filmmakers. South Africa is an extremely diverse country. Not only are there so many cultures represented, but also the landscape itself is wildly varied. The film Lord of War was able to take Cape Town and have it appear as 57 different settings in the film. South Africa’s good and rather predicable weather also can save time and money. A fantastic incentive for those with American Dollars is the exchange rate; currently, the Rand-Dollar exchange is at a five-year low with a U.S. Dollar buying over 11-Rands. Beside the exchange rate, the prices and costs in South Africa are also much cheaper. The industry itself is established and hosts a state-of-the-art film studio outside of Cape Town.

The South African Government is excited about this sector and has done many things to enhance its potential gains. South Africa has signed co-production treaties with eight other countries enabling incentives and assistance to be made available to certain international filmmakers. Moreover, there are tax rebates between 20 and 35-percent of the production expenditure offered depending on whether filming or working post-production and on the amount of the production budget. Tax incentives also extend to film owners who are allowed a deduction of the cost of the film.  The South African National Film and Video Foundation can assist with procurement of funds with loans and grants.

If you have interest in selecting South Africa as the location for your next film or television production, please contact us for help in introductions and setting up requisite visas and permits and funding.