Question NW1237 to the MINISTER OF ARTS AND CULTURE
24 May 2016 - NW1237
Grootboom, Mr GA to ask the MINISTER OF ARTS AND CULTURE
(1) Whether the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has regional offices in each province; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) Whether the NFVF has any relationships and/or liaisons with international film companies currently filming in South Africa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether there are any policies governing the specified liaisons between the NFVF and international film companies; if not, why not; if so, will he furnish (a) Dr G A Grootboom and/or (b) the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture with copies of the specified policies?
Reply:
1. The NFVF currently does not have any regional offices. The main reason is budgetary – the NFVF Act allows for a 25% cap on administration expenditure and the setting up of regional offices would cause NFVF to vastly exceed this cap and reduce funds available to offer as grants.
2. The NFVF does not enter into agreements with individual international companies. However, the NFVF has agreements with official international state entities. South Africa has signed 8 international co-production treaties with the governments of Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand. We are currently in negotiation with Brazil, Algeria, Kenya and Netherlands to sign treaties with these countries.
Co-production treaties are signed in order for government entities (such as NFVF) in both countries to facilitate and encourage production and cultural exchange between the respective countries. These co-production treaties are administered by the NFVF.
3. The co-production treaties that has been signed with the 8 above-mentioned countries govern the relationship between South Africa and the respective countries. Please find attached copies of the 8 treaties signed between the government of South Africa and the government of the respective countries.