South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) on Saturday revealed that it has started discussions between South Africa and other African nations around the possible formation of an African film fund to help with making film and TV coproductions possible between producers in different African countries.
Shadrack Bokaba, the acting NFVF CEO, spoke in a pre-recorded message that was played on Sunday night during the broadcast of the 13th South African Film and Television Awards taking place at Sun City, revealing that talks have started around the creation of an African film fund.
"In the last two years, we have embarked on a new strategic venture, with the focus being on Africa. In doing so, a strategic partnership was formed with our neighbouring countries."
"We are pleased to have begun discussions around forming an African film fund that will encourage coproductions within the continent," Shadrack Bokaba said.
Shadrack Bokaba also said that the South African government "needs to invest more money in developing infrastructure as there are current challenges that impact the country's economic growth, such as failing to draw South African audiences to cinemas and attracting foreign production to invest in our country".
Saturday's 13th Saftas marked the first appearance of Shadrack Bokaba at the awards show since he replaced Zama Mkosi who abruptly quit under a cloud in May 2108.
Shadrack Bokaba in his recorded message mentioned nothing about the corruption that was uncovered the past year inside the NFVF since the last Saftas and the forensic investigation into the NFVF by the department of arts and culture that funds the NFVF.
The Comperio Report into the rot and corruption at the National Film and Video Foundation found that staffers took family members on luxury trips to Sun City for the South African Film and Television Awards.
