The Save SA Film and TV Jobs Coalition says it has secured a significant breakthrough in its campaign to restore South Africa’s Film and Television Production Incentive, announcing that it has been summoned to appear before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition on 11 August 2026.

The announcement comes just days after the coalition warned that talks with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) had reached a deadlock following months of unsuccessful engagements.

“We are pleased to share that Parliament has formally responded to our letter, and the Save SA Film and TV Jobs Coalition has been summoned to appear before the Portfolio Committee on the 11th August 2026,” the coalition said.

“This is a significant milestone in our campaign and an important opportunity to ensure that the urgent challenges facing the South African film and television industry are heard at the highest level.”

The coalition thanked industry stakeholders who have supported the campaign over the past several months.

“To everyone who has stood with us, signed petitions, attended demonstrations, written letters, and continued to advocate for our industry – thank you. Your support has helped bring us to this moment.”

“We remain hopeful that this engagement will mark the beginning of meaningful change. Our voices have been heard, and we will continue to represent the industry with determination, professionalism, and a commitment to securing a sustainable future for film and television in South Africa.”

“The work is not over, but today gives us renewed hope.”

“The 11th August is an important day for our industry. Together, we continue the fight for South African film and television jobs.”

The parliamentary appearance follows the coalition’s announcement that discussions with the DTIC had reached a deadlock after six months of engagement and just five meetings with the department.

The coalition said in a statement last week that little progress has been made in restoring the Film and Television Production Incentive, which it argues has effectively become non-functional.

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 its statement last week, 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, which are 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 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. 

According to the coalition, it wrote to Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition 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.

While the coalition had previously indicated that it intended seeking an urgent hearing before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition, Parliament has now formally agreed to hear its concerns on 11 August.