South African film and television production incentive (SA Film)

Objectives:

To support the local film industry and to contribute towards employment opportunities in South Africa.

Benefits:

• The rebate is calculated as 35% of QSAPE.
• An additional 5% of QSAPE is provided for productions hiring at least 30% of black South African citizens as head of departments (HODs) and procuring at least 30% of QSAPE from 51% South African black-owned entities which have been operating for at least a period of one year; with a cap of R50 million per project.

Eligibility criteria:

• Productions must have a minimum QSAPE of R1.5 million for all qualifying production formats and a minimum of R500 000 for documentaries
• At least 14 calendar days and 60% of principal photography must be filmed in South Africa. This requirement may be waived for productions with a minimum QSAPE of R50 million.
• A minimum of 75% of the total production budget (TPE) must be QSAPE.
• The majority of intellectual property must be owned by a South African citizen(s) and the copyright must be registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
• The Director must be a South African citizen.
• The top writer and producer credits must include South African citizens either exclusive or shared collaboration credits.
• The majority of the five highest-paid performers must be South African citizens.
• The majority of Heads of Departments (HODs) and key personnel must be South African citizens, with at least 20% of the HODs on core production functions being black South African citizens.
• Secured a minimum of 25% of the total budget.
• The holding company and SPCV must achieve at least a level 3 and level 4 B-BBEE contributor status respectively, in terms of the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice.

General conditions 

• The applicant must procure a minimum of 20% of qualifying goods and services from entities which are 51% black-owned by South African citizens and have been operating for at least one year.
• The applicant must complete and submit an application not early than 45 calendar days prior to the commencement of principal photography
• The applicant must demonstrate that they adhere to an industry specific Code of Professional Standards that includes sexual harassment and health and safety protocols.
• The principal photography must not commence until an approval letter has been received from the dtic.

Programme Guidelines

• • • Programme Guidelines
    • South African Film and Television Production Application Form
    • Grading Tier System
    • List of Head of Departments
    • Annexure F Qualifying Formats Detailed Descriptions
    • SA  Film  Form B
    • SA Film Claim Form C
    • SA Film and Co-production FFR

Contacts:

Applications:

Selina Swarahle	SSwaratlhe@thedtic.gov.za	+27 12 394 1140
Mpho Mukoma	MMukoma@thedtic.gov.za	+27 12 394 1805

Claims:

Andisiwe Jona	Ajona@thedtic.gov.za	+27 12 394 1375
Michelle Mochochoko	MMochochoko@thedtic.gov.za	+27 12 394 3456