Asad and Searching for Sugarman Have Done Us Proud

This morning, to rousing applause from the audience, ‘Searching for Sugarman’ was announced the winner in its nominated category.

 

Western Cape Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde said: “Congratulations to the teams behind ‘Asad’ and ‘Searching for Sugarman’, you have done us very proud. Both films showcase the natural beauty of the Western Cape and will undoubtedly encourage international and local viewers to come and visit our Province.”

 

“The film sector is a priority sector in the Western Cape’s economy. It generates R5 billion and creates an estimated 6,058 direct jobs and 2,502 indirect jobs. In the year ahead we will ramp up the support the sector receives. Last year, we announced that Wesgro, our Destination Marketing, Investment and Trade Promotion Agency, will now take up the role of promoting Cape Town and the Western Cape as a film destination.” Minister Winde continued.

 

In improving the support for the Western Cape’s film sector, for the 2013/2014 financial year, Wesgro’s efforts in  marketing of Cape Town and the Western Cape as a film destination will include:

 

• Together with the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, facilitating access to national film rebates.

• Supporting commercial orientation of existing film makers.

• Exploring potential of developing local content film making.

• Developing local film audiences.

• Trade and investment missions in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry.

• Development of a film market within the provincial film festivals.

• Focused engagement with Cape Town Film Studios for investment purposes in the long film and TV productions.

• Hosting regular engagements with industry on key issues for the Western Cape in collaboration with the City of Cape Town, the Media, Information and Communications Technology SETA (MICT SETA), the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Department of Trade and Industry.

 

Minister Winde concluded: “Oscar Winner ‘Searching for Sugarman’ not only depicts the natural beauty of our City, it also tells the story of who we are as a people. The spirit with which South Africans have embraced Rodriguez was also shared with the foreign travellers who visited us during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We are a friendly, warm and welcoming nation. Our people are undoubtedly our biggest asset.”