​‘While much economic hardship and job losses have been experienced across South Africa, the film industry has gone to great lengths to keep their cameras rolling and save jobs in their industry that contributes so much to the economy of our city,’ said Alderman Smith.

​Gambit Films, one of the production companies, had amazing success with the first season of their Netflix original series, Blood and Water, and their film production Indemnity. 

They are hard at work with new projects, one of which Alderman Smith visited as part of the Film and Events Office responsibilities within the Safety and Security Directorate.

​‘We respect how much additional complexity, costs and logistics are demanded by the regulations and the standard operating procedure that was adopted in consultation with the film industry. This includes the continuous testing of actors, support and production staff as well as the complexity of compartmentalising the different groups of staff to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.

‘The City is doing everything we can to support the film industry and ensure it can continue to create jobs, strengthen the local economy and promote the city as a destination. It is for this reason that we have cut many of our film tariffs and are preparing to launch the film fund as soon as the policy for the fund is signed off by Council,’ said Alderman Smith.

For a film permit to be granted, production companies have to ensure that:

• A COVID-19 Compliance Officer is employed to enforce health and safety protocols, as per national regulations
• The number of people on set should not exceed 75 people as directed by the national Arts and Culture Minister
• Regular disinfection of production sets/workspaces before and after filming takes place
• All crew and cast are provided with two compliant masks or face shields to be worn at all times on set

More on these protocols at filmcapetown.com

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