Page 11 - KZN Film Annual Report 2023/2024

KWAZULU-NATAL FILM COMMISSION
were to develop brand-new stories to showcase the region and its locations for a year. More projects of this kind are planned for uMzinyathi, the King Cetshwayo district, and the townships of eThekwini in 2024 and 2025
• A celebratory showcase of the 2023 Made for TV Films was held on 28 September 2023 with media, the production companies’ stakeholders and Edtea.
• In December 2023, P&D hosted a special viewing and workshop with Disney and the KAFF film festival to showcase local animation content that was inspired and featured Durban, KZN. The series funded by Durban is called Kazazi Moto: Generation Fire and is streaming on Disney Plus.
In the 2023/2024 financial year, the film industry faced some minor challenges that affected its growth. These challenges were mainly caused by external factors, such as prolonged and intense power outages, strikes by Hollywood actors and writers leading to a decline in cinema attendance, potential job cuts in the industry, and an impact on film production.
Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela KZN Film
and Television Awards
To mark the 10th KZN Film and Television Awards – and an inaugural lecture was arranged which was delivered by the late Dr Mbongeni Ngema. This happened within the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). As part of the festival initiative, KZNFilm partnered with the DIFF to set up a residency program for district film festival directors. This program allowed six festivals - Umgungundlovu Film Festival, Kwasukasukela Film Festival, Ugu Film Festival, KZN African Film Festival, Amajuba Film Festival, and Umzansi Reel Film Festival - to experience putting together and running an international film festival. The residency lasted 20 days, during which the directors were mentored and worked with the team behind the Durban International Film Festival.
Governance
For the 2023/2024 financial year, KZNFilm received a Clean Audit with no material misstatements. 76% of the procurement budget was spent on Black-owned enterprises, demonstrating the entity’s commitment to transformation and addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. On average, spending on women-owned businesses has been around 24%, with 18% for youth-owned businesses, and between 2-8% for businesses owned by people living with disabilities.
Strategic partnerships (MOUs)
In an effort to support the film industry by reducing costs, KZNFilm has formed partnerships with various industry stakeholders through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). These partnerships allow filmmakers to receive discounts when they use the services of these stakeholders, such as catering, transport, and accommodation. During the last financial period, five MoUs were entered into. Seven Fam Tours were conducted to facilitate these partnerships.
Conclusion
As previously mentioned, the merger process with Tourism is nearing completion. This will be KZN Film’s final Annual Report as a public entity. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the excellent work that the different work streams have contributed over the past years to bring us to this point. I would also like to express my gratitude to the entire KZNFilm team for their efforts, hard work, and dedication throughout the year. Additionally, I am thankful for the support, guidance, and leadership that I received from the Board, the MEC, and from the HOD and EDTEA staff.
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MR S. GUMBI
A/ Chief Executive Officer KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission Date: 30 July 2024
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ANNUAL REPORT
2023/2024