(Left: Willington Ngwepe)
With a long history as a major investor in local
storytelling, MultiChoice is heading to the 17th Durban FilmMart (October 9 to
12) to build new partnerships that will help turn South African filmmakers’
abundant supply of creative ideas into viable productions and grow businesses,
careers and protect intellectual property.
The global production industry is facing sustained headwinds – and the South African creative industry is not immune to those.
Willington Ngwepe, MultiChoice (Pty)
Ltd CEO, says: “A sustainable local
content industry requires both investment and an enabling ecosystem in which
producers can build businesses, women can progress into leadership, and where
emerging professionals can access mentorship and opportunity. As the custodians
of DStv’s content in South Africa, we understand the challenges that creators
are facing while constantly listening to our customers to understand what they
want to see on their screens – and we want to bring the supply and demand sides
closer together with the right funding, training and support to continue to
grow the industry we’ve invested in for over three decades”.
Durban FilmMart has a long history of connecting filmmakers and producers with finance, co-production opportunities, industry expertise, international market opportunities and potential partners. Ideas and intellectual property must also be protected, and working with Partners Against Piracy MultiChoice is leading public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the risk and damage of consuming pirated content, engaging with government authorities to put in place stricter regulation and legislation to protect intellectual content in the digital age, and supporting law enforcement agencies to prosecute pirates in South Africa and beyond the country’s borders.
Willington Ngwepe adds: “Our participation at Durban FilmMart creates opportunities for direct engagement with independent producers, creators, policymakers, distributors, and other industry partners to help build, safeguard and promote our industry.”
(Right: Magdalene Reddy)
Magdalene Reddy, Director of the DFM, says: “Having a partner of MultiChoice's stature alongside us is a significant milestone for the Durban FilmMart. MultiChoice has a long-standing commitment to African storytelling, and their involvement strengthens our mission to connect filmmakers with the financing and partnerships they need. For filmmakers, this kind of access is invaluable. It means projects will engage with decision-makers who can help move them from concept to screen.”
MultiChoice representatives will be leading and participating in a series of discussions and events. On October 9, MultiChoice Head of Content Renee Jacobs and key content supplier CANAL+ Africa’s Head of Scripted Content Tebogo Matlawa will headline the discussion topic Support and Funding of Local Content in SA.
Durban FilmMart, in association with MultiChoice, runs from October 9 to 12 at the Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani on the Durban beachfront. Visit www.durbanfilmmart.co.za for more information.
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