The City of Cape Town has announced the inaugural recipients of the Film Cape Town Film Fund. 

Seven productions, including a feature film, two short films, two TV series, a reality TV show and an animated short are the first beneficiaries of the Film Fund.

The Film Cape Town Film Fund aims to empower emerging and established filmmakers in the metro by supporting original content that amplifies local voices, promotes Cape Town’s diverse stories, and strengthens the city’s position as a global film and media hub. 

The fund will provide support in the form of finance or municipal services for film projects produced in Cape Town. 

The selected projects for 2025 span different genres and themes, showcasing the depth and diversity of South African storytelling. 

Following a rigorous selection process led by a panel of industry experts, these recipients have been selected: 

• Astory for Spelonk: A dystopian sci-fi action drama with commentary on water conservation and exploring themes of climate change through powerful storytelling
• Crossroad Pictures for Sky City: A futuristic neo-noir short film exploring a dystopian world dominated by drone surveillance
• Media24/Pop24 for Drukkoker: A 13-episode cooking competition showcasing local culinary prowess while also discovering Cape Town’s next restaurateurs
• Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation for Wild Waterfront:  A six-part documentary series showcasing the work of the Wildlife Management team at the V&A Waterfront
• Triggerfish Development for Rosy Days: A series of 10 animated shorts following Rosy Days, from the award-winning Belly Flop, as she explores Cape Town
• Herstory Slate for The Multiverse of Auntie G: A short film romantic comedy that chronicles the life of a middle-aged woman that gets stuck in a rut and seeks spark and adventure  
• Quizzical Pictures for Cooper:  A crime historical drama/murder mystery set in apartheid South Africa 

“These exciting projects are being awarded funding to bring their uniquely local stories to life, each one adding something new to Cape Town’s already thriving film industry. They will be beneficiaries of a film fund established to be a catalyst for their authentic storytelling, rooted in the city’s social, historical, and emotional fabric,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

“The film fund is part of a bigger push to grow our creative economy, building local production skills, opening doors for emerging talent, attracting international partnerships, and positioning Cape Town as a premier global film destination. From our side, this is a start, but it also marks a major investment in Cape Town’s creative future and its place on the global film stage. We would like to congratulate the recipients and wish them well in the journey of bringing their ideas to life,” Smith said. 

Some of the funded projects are currently in various stages of production. They have been shot or are being planned for filming in various locations around the city, including the Cape Town city centre, the V&A Waterfront, Athlone, Manenberg and Philadelphia among others. 

Crossroad Pictures

Musa Nyangiwe – Director and Owner

“I’m incredibly grateful to the City of Cape Town for funding my debut short film, Sky City. Making independent films is one of the most challenging yet rewarding journeys I’ve embarked on, and this support affirms the value of local storytelling. It’s a true honour to be part of the first cohort of independent filmmakers recognised by the City. Cape Town is filled with creative talent, and this funding sends a powerful message – that our stories matter, and there’s room for bold, original voices in South African cinema to be seen, heard, and celebrated.” 

Astory

Dr. Mario Denton – Producer and Co-Owner 

Spelonk has officially been selected for support by the Cape Town Film Fund – an incredible opportunity to bring this bold, Cape Town-based sci-fi story to completion. Set in a post-apocalyptic steampunk world, Spelonk explores a dystopian Cape Town undone by greed, where water is currency and survival is everything. With its roots in South African folklore and a strong environmental message, the film is both visually striking and deeply relevant. Developed through Berlinale Durban Talents program under mentorship with Sara Blecher, and presented at the London screenwriter and New York Film Festivals, Spelonk is ready to represent South African storytelling with pride – an urgent cinematic warning about what happens if we don’t. 

Media24

Zandri Douglas – Series Director, Drukkoker
Wynand Louw – Creative Head, POP24 

Five hopeful cooks and entrepreneurs enter the Drukkoker restaurant to find a potential business partner and build a new food brand. The five teams go head-to-head over the course of thirteen episodes, but only one team will secure a seed investment in a new food business venture. Filming will take place in the Media24 kitchen studio, as well as at legendary and loved Cape Town restaurants. Pop24 looks forward to working with the City of Cape Town to create a new and original cooking competition format that showcases the unique aspects of Cape Town’s culinary scene. 

Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation

Marguerite Venter – Head of Productions at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation – Producer/Director/Editor
Jerome Stationway – Production Assistant at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation – Cinematography/Sound

“The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation is thrilled with the generous support from the City of Cape Town’s Film Fund for its upcoming documentary, Wild Waterfront. This 60-minute film and six-part short-form series explores the wild and watery side of the iconic V&A Waterfront. Featuring the Wildlife Management team, whose passion for the environment is inspiring, while highlighting the precincts lesser-known heritage narratives. The Film Fund allows the conservation efforts of the Wildlife Management team to come to life through the Wild Waterfront, which aims to foster deep appreciation for the hidden lives of urban wildlife – and those who protect them.” 

HerStory Slate

Tarryn Witbooi – Producer
Althea Jarvis – Participant of the Herstory Slate/Film director

“We are incredibly honoured to receive funding from the City of Cape Town in support of the NFVF female filmmaker slate. This initiative is a crucial step toward nurturing new voices and empowering emerging women filmmakers from the Western Cape. In an industry where access and opportunity remain scarce for new entrants, especially women, this support enables us to tell bold, authentic stories that reflect the richness of our communities. With the City’s backing, we are committed to launching meaningful careers and creating impactful work that contributes to a more inclusive and representative South African film landscape.” 

Quizzical Pictures

Odirile Mekwa – Managing Director of Quizzical Pictures
Nimrod Geva – Producer of Cooper and head of development at Quizzical

“Quizzical Pictures is delighted to accept this generous support from the Cape Town Film Fund for Cooper, an ambitious crime series set during Apartheid. Detective Cooper, a cop with a dangerous secret, unites with a constable linked to the liberation movement to defy the all-powerful Security Branch and solve murders in 1950s South Africa. The show will put the spotlight on Cape Town as a premier global film destination that offers incredible locations, amazing crews, beautiful light and a culturally rich and welcoming city.” 

Triggerfish Animation

Nadia Darries – Director
Caroline Vos – Art Director

“We are so excited to bring Rosy Days, the character that featured in our short film Belly Flop, to life.It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the beautiful city that inspired her rosy outlook on the world. We hope her infectious positivity will inspire children around the globe – and perhaps even attract new visitors to our sunny shores,” said Anthony Silverston, Creative Director at Triggerfish.  

A call for new funding requests will be published soon. 

For more information on the Film Cape Town Film Fund, visit filmcapetown.com