WATCH | Award-winning director backs Midlands as KZN’s film hub

The uMgungundlovu Economic Development Agency (Umeda) is positioning the Midlands as KwaZulu-Natal’s next film and television hub, with the region’s creative talent and diverse locations seen as key to attracting major productions. The agency reaffirmed its plans to grow the district’s creative economy during a special screening of Spirit, an internationally acclaimed film by award-winning filmmaker Tebogo Malope. For aspiring actors, producers, directors, make-up artists, sound engineers and other creatives, the screening offered a glimpse of the opportunities a stronger local film industry could create.

Malope, a Cannes Lions Gold winner, Loeries Grand Prix recipient, two-time Safta winner and director of Queen Sono, said expanding the industry beyond major cities could unlock opportunities for emerging talent while boosting local economies. “The Midlands has incredible talent. If we create opportunities here, young people will not have to leave their communities to pursue careers in film.

“Developing the industry locally means creating jobs, building skills and growing the economy at the same time,” he said. Umeda general manager for project development James Martin said the screening demonstrated the agency’s commitment to establishing uMgungundlovu as a recognised destination for film and television production. Film is far more than what audiences see on screen.

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It creates opportunities for hundreds of people across different professions and supports many small businesses. He said productions created opportunities for accommodation establishments, transport providers, caterers, security companies, construction teams, equipment suppliers and other businesses. “The impact of one production extends far beyond the cameras.

It creates work throughout the value chain and injects money into local communities,” he said. Sydney Masina, director of Pambili Media, which partnered with Malope for the screening, said greater collaboration between government, business and creatives could help establish uMgungundlovu as a competitive player in the national film industry.

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