Cape Town graduates thirty film industry students

By Tina George
10 May 2008

Thirty Cape Townian film graduates have completed South Africa’s first ever mentorship training programme for the film industry.

The unique one year learner mentorship programme was initiated by F.I.L.M, a non-profit organisation set up by Cape Town’s leading film companies to address transformation and the critical shortage of managers in the film industry.

The proud students received their certificates from Cllr Simon Grindrod, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Social Development and Tourism.

The graduates, aged between 25 and 40 years, hail from the Cape Flats and other previously disadvantaged areas.

According to David Wicht, owner of Film Afrika, the graduates were all selected for the course because of the talent and commitment which they demonstrated whilst being employed in the industry for two years or more.

“F.I.L.M’s aim is to accelerate career opportunities through work-based mentorship as well as formal accredited courses with a primary focus on production managers, line producers, accountants and assistant directors,” says Wicht.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Cllr Grindrod said that Cape Town was fast becoming the film industry capital for Southern Africa.

“The film industry is one of the Big Five income generators in Cape Town and the Western Cape’s film industry contributed an estimated R3,5 billion to the South African economy.”