Read the latest update from the Save SA Film and TV Jobs Coalition here.

The Save SA Film and TV Jobs Coalition says talks with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) have reached a deadlock after months of unsuccessful engagements, warning that the ongoing impasse is placing thousands of jobs and South Africa’s film and television production sector at risk.

The coalition announced on Friday that, after six months of engagement and only five meetings with the department, little progress had been made in restoring the Film and Television Production Incentive, which it says has effectively become non-functional.

As a result, the coalition plans to request an urgent appearance before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition to outline what it describes as the failure to implement agreed interventions, the risk of budget underspending and the worsening impact on the industry. It has also warned that nationwide protest action could resume if meaningful intervention does not take place.

The Callsheet approached the DTIC for comment. A departmental spokesperson said the department was “not commenting on the matter at the moment.” 

Established in 2004, the Film and Television Production Incentive is administered by the DTIC to support the growth and sustainability of South Africa’s film and television industry. According to the coalition, delays in processing incentive applications and the suspension of Adjudication Committee meetings have stalled productions, placed jobs at risk and undermined investor confidence.

In a statement, the coalition said its efforts to work with the department had produced little more than “talk shops” rather than meaningful implementation.

“Throughout this period, the Coalition has struggled to secure meaningful engagement from the Department, which has engaged reluctantly and has not demonstrated the level of urgency, collaboration, or responsiveness that would be expected in circumstances where an entire industry is under severe distress.”

The coalition said Adjudication Committee meetings responsible for approving incentive applications have not resumed for almost two-and-a-half years, leaving applications unprocessed and productions unable to proceed.

It warned that unless the adjudication process resumes urgently, there is a real risk that funds already allocated to the incentive could remain unspent during the current financial year despite the severe challenges facing the industry.

“The industry is not merely awaiting policy discussion. It is facing an immediate operational crisis,” the coalition said.

The coalition submitted a memorandum of demands to the DTIC following nationwide demonstrations in January and subsequently met with Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimipi.

Its outstanding demands include:

• the immediate resumption of Adjudication Committee meetings;
• the processing of applications already in the system;
• dedicated working groups to develop short- and medium-term solutions;
• greater transparency and accountability;
• reduced administrative delays; and
• regular guideline interpretation workshops.

While the Deputy Minister instructed that working groups and workshops be established, the coalition said these initiatives have not been properly implemented and have instead become discussion forums without clear decisions, timelines or measurable outcomes.

The coalition further argued that if the Film Unit is unable to spend the budget already allocated to the incentive programme, serious questions should be raised about its capacity to implement broader reforms or process new applications.

It also said it has lost confidence in the current leadership of the Film Unit, arguing that the production incentive was once regarded as one of the most reliable internationally before deteriorating into what it described as a non-operational system.

As a result, the coalition has called for the removal of DTIC Director: Film and Television Production, Nelly Molokoane, from the Film Unit and from any further decision-making relating to the Film and Television Production Incentive. It said the resolution was adopted with all votes in favour and one abstention.

According to the coalition, it wrote to Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau on 13 July requesting urgent ministerial intervention, including the immediate resumption of Adjudication Committee meetings, the processing of pending applications and a formal written response within seven days.

The coalition said it has yet to receive a response.

It now intends to seek an urgent hearing before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition and is considering renewed nationwide protest action if the current impasse continues.

“The Coalition does not take this step lightly,” the statement said. “However, after months of engagement, it is clear that the current process has failed to deliver the action required to save jobs, restore confidence and stabilise the industry.”

The coalition said it remains committed to constructive engagement but warned that the sector could not continue to wait while productions collapse, jobs are lost, public funds risk going unused and confidence in South Africa’s film and television industry continues to decline.