'SA must up movie output'

This is according to Eddie Mbalo, the CEO of the National Film and Video Foundation, who was speaking at the International Public Television (Input) conference in Johannesburg on Monday.

"Unless we as a country produce 15 to 20 films a year over the next five years, our efforts to develop an appreciation for local film is an exercise in futility," said Mbalo.

Close to 1 400 of the world's top public-service television producers have descended on Johannesburg for a week of watching close to 100 of the world's best TV documentaries and making a plethora of deals.

The Input conference is considered critical to South Africa's fast-developing film industry because while public service television traditionally leaks money, a major documentary not only gives prestige to the broadcaster that makes it but can earn millions in resale to broadcasters around the world.

Bill Gilcher, a US national co-ordinator for Input said: "This conference is for discussion, debates and dissent, it's not a festival and deals are not the prime intent, but among the delegates are commissioning editors, programme makers and senior executives from many international television stations.

They're on the lookout for new talent, new programming or requiring rights to some of the films presented."

Films range from complex subjects like sex tourism to crime, racial hatred, and art films. Documentaries of the sort shown at Input are seen as incubators for the best in journalism but too the breeding ground for industry staff for top feature films.

South Africa's film industry has grown from 4 000 jobs in 1995 to employing around 20 000 people now.

The value of the domestic entertainment industry, according to the Industrial Development Corporation - the largest single funder of films in SA - is estimated to be around R12bn, with the Cape film industry alone generating about R3.6bn a year.

The IDC has funded more than 30 films to the tune of some R500m over six years including significant stakes in films like Blood Diamond - it has in turn created some 5 000 jobs, with South African camera people and researchers being acknowledged as among the best in the feature and documentary film worlds globally.

Cape Town is considered around 40% cheaper than European or US locations and South Africa's beautiful scenery, high technology, a relatively good infrastructure and excellent weather are considered significant plusses.

Hendrik Busiek, editor in chief of AfriMaps Survey on Public Broadcasting in Africa observes that "most countries in Africa still have a long way to go toward the ideal of a truly public broadcaster".

Gilcher says the intent of Input is to "broaden thinking around public broadcasting and for some to make some significant new business contact".

- Fin24.com