We, the Film Industry of the Western Cape and the broader business community allied thereto and which supplies the industry, generating enormous revenue  for the Province, support the call by the CPA and SAASP to the Mayor of Cape Town and the Premier of the Western Cape to urgently address  bureaucratic  barriers to the industry's access to viable locations to be utilised in the industry. This industry, the support businesses allied thereto, and its employment which is substantial and the livelihoods sustained by the industry, are directly dependent upon urgent address and attention being given to this very salient and material matter.

We furthermore entrust the CPA and SAASP to interface directly with Government on the resolution of this issue as their members are responsible for sourcing and securing the work which drives the industry.

We are and remain of the considered opinion, given our history and experience with the Cape Film Commission in matters similar to this, that it be excluded from our engagement process with Government at this stage, primarily in that it is not proportionately representative of the industry at all and the role players at large, and regrettably lacks the necessary knowledge, skill and / or expertise to be able to efficiently and accurately advise the Provincial / Local Government on matters germane to our industry. Our  experience with the Cape Town Film Commission, when we have attempted to engage it meaningfully in matters which are material, unfortunately leads to many representations which are sadly left unfulfilled, resulting in the imposition of further bureaucratic barriers which prevent us from carrying out our industry in an efficient and appropriate manner.  Under the supervisory authority of the Cape Film Commission, the availability and access to locations in the Western Cape has dramatically decreased, the aforesaid bureaucratic hurdles imposed on production have increased exponentially and the threat to the very livelihoods which are dependent upon the film industry is now at a critical stage.

We wish to confirm that the CPA and SAASP’s vote of no confidence in the Cape Film Commission supported, will hopefully lead to Provincial Government intervening and assisting the film industry and its allied business community, directly.