Issued Cape Town film permits up 22% as movie-making becomes all-year business while feature film production make steady gains.

by Thinus Ferreira

International and local TV commercials filmed in sun-drenched Cape Town still reign supreme as the bulk of film permits issued by the Mother City but as the city transitions to an all-year filming destination the production of feature films is ticking up too.

More filmmaking in Cape Town, as well as more filmmaking all year round, has led to an overall increase of 22% in the number of film permits issued by Cape Town over the past year.

The City of Cape Town's Film Permit Office recorded an increase in the number of permits issued during the 2023/24 financial year: Up from 3 910 to 4 757 for the period between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. 

That's a 22% increase overall, with TV adverts called TVCs still comprising the bulk of film shoots over the past financial year (1 604 permits issued). 

This was followed by 962 permits for "micro-shoots". There were also 168 large local and international feature films shot in Cape Town over the past year – almost double from the previous year.

Over the past 12 months, Cape Town issued permits for the filming of local and international feature films, commercials, TV series, stills photography, documentary films, short films, student projects and music videos. In addition, the permit office also received bookings for more than 9 317 film locations in the same period.

To boost Cape Town's film industry, the city froze tariffs for filming in the city for the fourth consecutive year. 

This includes zero rated-fees for the deployment of metro police and traffic services who help with road closures, while the freeze on safety and security tariffs for filming has saved the film industry R700 000 in production costs.

"In the past, Cape Town attracted a lot of film productions during the summer season due to a number of factors, including our beautiful long summer days," says Alderman JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security in Cape Town.

"However, what we are seeing over the last couple of years is that filming is increasingly becoming an all-year business and this is good for both the industry and Cape Town."

"We are seeing more and more productions taking place in the winter months and this was the case for the concluding financial year. This is critical for an industry that contributes billions to the economy and employs over 30 000 people."

Filmmakers flocking back to Cape Town post-Covid pandemic.

by Thinus Ferreira

Cape Town's film biz is on the rebound with local and international filmmaker flocking back to the Cape Town after the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown with the city's Film Permit Office (FPO) that issued 3 900 permits over the past year with more than 100 feature films and 499 TV series which filmed scenes in the Mother City.

A review of the FPO's latest figures shows that the past film season - when local and international filmmakers flock to Cape Town during the warmer months to film anything from international car commercials to American series - was one of the busiest yet after the Covid-19 pandemic.

TV shows like American Monsters, the fourth season of Netflix South Africa's Blood and Water, Come Dine with Me Cape Town from BBC Studios Africa and even Fear Factor India were among some of the local and international productions that brought their clapper board to Cape Town over the last 12 months. 

While Cape Town's Darling, Keerom, Leeuwen and Dorp Streets are extremely popular due to architecture that can resemble European locations, Kogelbaai beach, Camps Bay, Clifton's Fourth Beach and Muizenberg beach all remain extremely popular on-set scenic locations for the film industry.

Between July 2022 and July 2023 Cape Town's FPO issued more than 3 900 film permits, which included feature films, TV commercials, TV series, stills photography, documentary films, short films, student projects and music videos.

While a majority of the permits issued were for TV commercials, the Mother City also hosted more than 100 large feature film productions and 499 TV series during that time. The FPO also received bookings for more than 8 300 film locations over the same period with the numbers that represent a significant improvement in interest in Cape Town as a film destination since the 2021/22 financial year when 7 400 location bookings were processed.

"This past season we have seen a number of international feature film and TV series productions heading to our shores as we steadily recover from the impact of the pandemic," says Alderman JP Smith, the city's mayoral committee member for safety and security.

Cape Town's film industry, according to a study commissioned by the city shows that the film industry contributes approximately R5 billion to the local economy annually and has created more than 35 000 jobs.

"The local film industry has also done an incredible job in attracting international brands to film their commercials here in Cape Town."

"The uptake in filming the past year is made possible by Cape Town's reputation of a world-class local film industry, by having a competent and efficient Film Office and the fact that we have some of the best locations in the world within a few kilometres of the city centre."

Coronavirus: Cape Town partially reopens the city's film permit office, only accepting and processing applications online amidst Covid-19.

by Thinus Ferreira

Cape Town has partially reopened the city's film permit office after it was completely shut down amidst the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in South Africa and will now process applications again.

Walk-in applications at the Cape Town Civic Centre are not be allowed and applications for film permits can only be done online.

Dan Plato, Cape Town executive mayor, in a statement says that the gradual reopening of Cape Town'sfilm industry will result in some economic relief for the city's local economy.

"This is an important industry because not only does it provide entertainment, it is a great financial contributor to the local economy, with an estimated R3.5 billion ($198 million) a year and employs thousands of people, creating job opportunities for our local Cape Town communities."

"Ensuring the safe, regulated return to the film work of this industry will act as a catalyst for the return to work of the broad range of service providers that support this industry."

Cape Town's film permit office has developed standard operating procedures (SOP) which require that productions and production companies screen all staff - whether cast, crew or other workers - daily and keep a record.

Covid-19 awareness and information notices must be displayed around the workspaces and every employee should receive a copy. No more than 50 people are allowed on a set. Production sets should be regularly sanitised and equipment and props should be disinfected.

Face masks and/or face shields must be provided to staff and sanitiser made up of 70% alcohol must be made available to all employees.

JP Smith, member of the mayoral committee for safety and security, says "This document was shared with members of the film industry for comment and they have agreed to abide by the strict guidelines aimed at avoiding the spread of Covid-19".

"It also outlines the basic technical measures the companies have to put in place in the workplace to contain the spread of the coronavirus and to protect their employees."

"We would like to urge all those attached to the film industry, and who will be going out to film locations, to please adhere to the protocols as well as all applicable regulations in terms of hygiene on set and observing physical distancing to ensure the safety of all those on set."

Risk assessments and a Covid-19 mitigation plan for every location needs to be conducted before a film permit is issued. Law enforcement agencies will monitor compliance safety measures and mitigation from Covid-19 from production companies.