Unlocking opportunities: New digital visas for film professionals in Cape Town
Image: Parliament of SA
Cape Town's burgeoning film industry has been given a boost through the introduction of new fast-track digital visas for visitors to South Africa in the film and exhibitions sector.
The two new categories of visas have been announced by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
The announcement has been welcomed by the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) which works with the City of Cape Town to ensure players in these sectors are catered for in the city's burgeoning film industry.
The City has hailed the move, with mayco member for Economic Growth, James Vos, saying it will be a game-changer.
The first initiative, called STAGES – short for Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme – will use digitisation to simplify visa access for film production companies.
The second programme is the Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme (MEETS), which will enable international attendees at conferences, exhibitions, and global events to apply for visas entirely online.
"This will be a game-changer for Cape Town and South Africa's film industry, opening the door to more productions, investment, and, importantly, job opportunities.
"As part of our continued drive to build a thriving visitor economy, I am currently consulting stakeholders across the tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors to shape a bold new tourism strategy for Cape Town, Vos said.
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From November 2023 to late June 2024, film crews booked over 59,000 bed nights, generating nearly R148 million for the hospitality industry.
With major productions such as Tomb Raider, One Piece, and Avengers: Age of Ultron already filmed in the city, Cape Town's growing appeal as a filming destination has generated substantial economic spinoffs for the CBD's hospitality industry, CCID said.
Grant Elliott, Chief Operating Officer of Thibault Investments and deputy chairperson of the CCID, believes the move will have numerous spin-offs for other sectors.
'These reforms will remove long-standing barriers and open the door for even greater investment into Cape Town's creative economy — with knock-on benefits for local hospitality, retail, and small businesses.'
He added that the City's initiatives, combined with progressive visa policies such as the digital nomad visa, which allows applicants to live and work remotely in South Africa for a period of 36 months, is likely to deepen Cape Town's status as a year-round destination for creatives.
According to the City of Cape Town's Film Permits Office, a total of 550 production shoots took place in the CBD from January 1 to May 26. For every rand spent on film production, an additional R2.50 is generated in the local economy, CCID added.
In addition to this, from November 2023 to June 2024, a total of 26 573 jobs were created for freelance crew and performers. In the 2023/2024 financial year, the Cape Town Film Permit Office issued 4 757 permits – 22% more than the previous year.
The CCID said it works in partnership with the City to provide security and cleaning services, among others, to maintain and manage the inner city.
'Cape Town has all the right ingredients — from stunning locations and skilled talent to a responsive city administration and vibrant hospitality scene, ' Elliott said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
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