Latest news with #GautengFilmCommission
The South African
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
New Netflix initiative offers hands-on training for young creatives
Netflix has announced a promising new chapter for South Africa's creative industry. The global streaming giant launched the ScreenCraft Pathway programme. This is in partnership with the Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) and the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority. The initiative sets out to empower emerging local talent by providing practical, paid experience in the world of film and television. Applications will officially open in August. Tshikululu Social Investments will administer the programme to ensure fair and effective implementation, according to their site . The ScreenCraft Pathway is much more than a training opportunity as it focuses on real, hands-on experience. Thirty aspiring creatives from across South Africa will be selected. Those chosen will immerse themselves in key below-the-line roles. These span from development, pre-production, production, and post-production, on Netflix projects and with selected industry partners. The initiative is open to both new applicants and nominations put forward by the GFC and KZN Tourism and Film Authority. Further details about how to apply will be available soon. Netflix created this new pathway after its successful 2024 on-the-job pilot, run through the Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF). Thirteen young professionals benefited from the pilot, with each gaining valuable insights and direct industry access. The ScreenCraft Pathway scales up this model, aiming to foster greater youth employment and contribute to vital skills development in South Africa's creative sector. Netflix is not embarking on this journey alone, as the programme draws strength from its partnerships with established industry players. Shola Sanni, Netflix's Director of Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, stated, 'We're excited to introduce the ScreenCraft Pathway programme. This is to show how intentional we are about investing in local storytellers and creatives. This initiative is not only a win for our members, but also us at Netflix. It will help us grow the talent pipeline so we can continue to entertain the world and bring more of the amazing local stories our members love.' Keitumetse Lebaka, CEO of the Gauteng Film Commission, echoed this pride. 'By fostering partnerships and creating inclusive opportunities through the ScreenCraft Pathway programme, we empower young professionals to thrive in the competitive creative economy. Our partnership with Netflix contributes to cultural preservation, social cohesion, and long-term economic resilience for the province and beyond.' Sibusiso Gumbi, Interim CEO of the KZN Tourism and Film Authority, tied the programme directly to provincial goals. 'This programme is the perfect fit for our objectives, and this partnership will add much-needed value. We are directly responding to South Africa's and KwaZulu-Natal's high youth unemployment rates.' Notably, the ScreenCraft Pathway ensures all participants receive financial compensation. This maes the opportunity more accessible to aspiring talent from diverse backgrounds. Netflix's previous investments in local talent, such as its CESF pilot (valued at around R18 million), have shown real economic benefit for creatives and the country at large. Through the ScreenCraft Pathway, Netflix and its partners reaffirm their commitment to the future of South African storytelling, nurturing new voices, and strengthening the local industry's global standing. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Veteran actress Clementine Mosimane happy women protected against abuse in the film industry
During a wellness event in Joburg hosted by Koketso Masuluke, founder of Duende Meraki Cartel, in partnership with the Gauteng Film Commission, veteran actress Clementine Mosimane said she is glad most production companies protect women against abuse. Mosimane said some companies create a safe space for women, especially in sexual scenes where sexual instructors are on board even though half the time producers and heads don't know where the rage on set stems from. 'Sometimes you'd find an actor upset and rageful on set and producers would say these actors are not easy to work with, forgetting that they are also human. Producers sometimes don't give actors grace or try to understand the underlying issue. . 'What I would like to plead with production companies for is not to formalise nakedness on screen because it's mostly the woman's body parts being shown . Mosimane added that for years people had said women compromise themselves to land a role and sometimes you watch the screen and wonder how that individual got the role. She hopes in today's generation this is not the case. She said she is glad that women are occupying space in the film industry and people like Karabo Lediga, filmmaker of Sabbatical are bold enough to create a safe space that is conducive for women and cognitive of mental health. GFM CEO Keitumetse Lebaka, said they started assessing the contribution of women-owned films in the industry and realised that more than 20% of the films they were funding were female-owned and directed. 'We thought it was important to talk about issues affecting women in film — why do we have so little and why are some women holding back?' .' She said they have partnered with Sisters Working in Film & Television (SWIFT) in understanding the business of film and how they make film sets safer for women. 'The partnership with swift is supporting the code of conduct that women feel safer and are not violated, ensuring that there is training and awareness that takes place and also looking into the mental wellness aspect of it: how do we make sure we have well-rounded women in the industry?'
The Citizen
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Youngsters receive masterclass in the art of film making
Youngsters receive masterclass in the art of film making Aspiring filmmakers in Randburg recently had the opportunity to learn from industry experts at the exclusive EmpowaYouth in Film Masterclass. Hosted by the Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) in partnership with Media City Academy, the event took place in Ferndale and aimed to equip young creatives with essential skills and knowledge to break into the film industry. The session began with a warm welcome from the managing executive of special projects at Empowaworx, Sibongile Ganxa, followed by a keynote address from Tumi Lebaka, CEO of the Gauteng Film Commission. Lebaka highlighted the importance of such initiatives in bridging the gap for emerging filmmakers facing financial and industry barriers. The masterclass featured several industry leaders sharing their expertise. Mandla Ngcongwane (Mandla N), the CEO of Black Brain Productions and Media City, spoke about production in commercial film and television. Dineo Pheto, post-production supervisor at Black Brain Pictures, detailed the art of storytelling through scriptwriting and storylining. Sanele Makinane, executive director at Media City Academy, introduced the concept of the Gig Economy, focusing on career opportunities in the industry. Nyiko the Great, a marketing specialist, provided insights into how to market stories effectively and Ted Magerman, a multi-award-winning director, shared his expertise on storytelling and music in film. After the sessions, attendees, including 50 children, were given an exclusive tour of the studio and visited the set of Isitha before returning to Media City. One of the most exciting aspects of the event was the announcement of a career-defining giveaway. Five emerging filmmakers will receive professional production equipment to help kickstart their careers. The winners will be announced at the EmpowaYouth Weekend, set to take place from April 21-25 in Ekurhuleni. The film industry in Gauteng plays a significant role in South Africa's economy, contributing R2.5b annually. With initiatives such as the EmpowaYouth Masterclass, young creatives are given the tools and support they need to succeed in this growing industry. By empowering the next generation, the EmpowaYouth in Film Masterclass proved to be a crucial step towards nurturing new talent and ensuring a strong future for the South African film sector. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
