More films are being filmed in Cape Town around the year and not just in summer, as in previous years. So says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. He says the City’s Film Permit Office has recorded an increase in the number of filming permits issued during the 2023/24 financial year. For now, commercial shoots still hold the spotlight.
More films filmed in Cape Town
At the same time, an uptick in feature films is also being recorded.
“We are seeing more and more productions taking place in the winter months and this was the case for the concluding financial year,” said Smith.
According to Smith, the Film Permit Office issued 4 757 film permits between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. This is a 22% increase from the 3 910 permits issued in the preceding financial year (2022/23).
Film permit surge
He says this includes permits for feature films, commercials, TV series, stills photography, documentary films, short films, student projects and music videos.
Smith says the Film Permit Office is geared to help the industry work effectively. Staff there ensure that permits are processed timeously and they provide efficient support where required.
He added, “This is critical for an industry that contributes billions to the economy and employs over 30 000 people.”
The permit office has also received bookings for more than 9 317 film locations for the period between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.
Cape Town’s appeal as an international film destination
Smith says, that to further boost the film industry, the City has frozen tariffs for filming in Cape Town. This is the fourth year of them doing this. This includes zero-rated fees for the deployment of metro police and traffic services.
MORE INFORMATION: About the Cape Town Film Permits Office
They will help at the locations, where road closures are to be effected. The freeze has also led to the film industry saving nearly R700 000 in production costs.
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