Author and filmmaker, Eric Myeni, has urged government to empower local filmmakers and producers.
Director of @RapidLionFilm @EricMiyeni makes the key point that Transformation & Inclusivity must also prioritise black Film Directors & Actors who were previously excluded from making their mark & contributing to the growth of the South African Film industry. #SAFilmsummit pic.twitter.com/8LVeQX7SCx
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) February 4, 2019
Myeni says it’s important for government to level the playing field by coming up with interventions that would empower black practitioners because the film industry remains white dominated.
Myeni was speaking on the first day of the two-day South African Film Summit under way at the Skyrink Studios in the Johannesburg central business district (CBD).
“Fund the establishment of black-owned and run production facilities and if they don’t exist, find people who can make them. Gear companies, post production facilities, find them and fund them. Fund and sustain local able black owned and run local film production houses and I mean film here because we constantly confuse it with television, constantly mix them together and television always takes over,” says Myeni.
I have arrived at the South African Film Summit for 2019. Through this gathering we aim to answer the fundamental question of what will be the contribution of the Creative & Cultural industry, particularly the film sector in developing the South African Story. #SAFilmSummit pic.twitter.com/ML765bbAXA
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) February 4, 2019
Watch: South African Poet @LeMarabele performs a very relevant & moving piece at the South African Film Summit which was under the theme: Transformation and innovation in the South African Film/Audio-Visual Industry and the 4th Industrial Revolution.
#SAFilmSummit pic.twitter.com/DSPs4o2oui— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) February 4, 2019