The Film Permit Office (FPO) of Cape Town recently concluded a busy financial year for the city’s film industry. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the past year witnessed a surge in filming activities, making it one of the busiest seasons since the pandemic.
The FPO issued more than 3 900 film permits between July 2022 and July 2023, covering a wide range of formats such as feature films, commercials, TV series, still photography, documentaries, short films, student projects and music videos. While commercials accounted for the majority of permits, the city also hosted over 100 large feature film productions and 499 TV series during this period.
Several local and international productions, including American Monsters, season four of Blood and Water, Come Dine with Me South Africa and Fear Factor India, chose Cape Town as their filming location over the last 12 months.
Also: International documentary film festival celebrates 25th year in Cape Town
The FPO also processed permits for more than 8 300 film locations.
These figures represent a significant increase in interest in Cape Town as a preferred film destination compared to the previous financial year, where 7,400 location bookings were processed.
Alderman JP Smith, the City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, attributed this growth to Cape Town’s reputation as a world-class film industry hub, the efficiency of the Film Permit Office and the availability of stunning locations in close proximity to the city centre.
‘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. The local film industry has also done an incredible job of attracting international brands to film their commercials here in Cape Town. The uptake in filming over the past year is made possible by Cape Town’s reputation as a world-class local film industry, by having a competent and efficient Film Office and by the fact that we have some of the best locations in the world within a few kilometres of the city centre,’ he said.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Gather your friends for a one-hour professional photoshoot for up to 10 people for R499. Get it here.
The film industry has played a crucial role in driving economic growth in Cape Town. According to a study commissioned by the City, the film industry contributes approximately R5 billion to the local economy annually and has created over 35 000 jobs.
To support the industry’s expansion and help reduce production costs, the City implemented a freeze on all safety and security tariffs for filming within the city in July 2022. This freeze encompassed costs related to traffic services, metro police and law enforcement. By doing so, the municipality saved the industry over R900 000 in expenses.
This tariff freeze marks the third instance in recent years where the City has taken measures to assist the film industry during challenging times.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k. Find car listings here.
Also read:
Cape Town property value outperforms the rest of South Africa
Picture: Cape Town Film Studios / Facebook