eThekwini Municipality launches R2 million initiative to enhance local film industry

The eThekwini Municipality intends to support the development of the local film industry with R2 million per annum over the next three years.

The eThekwini Economic Development and Planning Committee received approval from councillors in October 2025 to support the industry through partnerships with local non-profit film industry development organisations.

City Manager Musa Mbhele has been tasked with implementing a robust local film promotion and event leveraging strategy to enhance Durban’s competitive advantage and attract local and international productions to film in Durban.

This must align with a Return on Investment (ROI) and branding strategy that reflects eThekwini’s financial contributions, in partnership with the respective event organisers.

The municipality must enter into a three-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with five Non-Profit Organisations for the ongoing implementation of Durban Film Office (DFO) development programs. The identified NPOs were:

Durban FilmMart Institute; Centre for Creative Arts - Durban International Film Festival (DIFF); K-CAP KwaZulu-Natal African Film Festival; Waterloo Film Festival; UMLACTO -Umlazi International Film Festival.

The DFO is responsible for the promotion and development of the Film and Television Industry in the city. The goal of the call for partnerships is to support the development of the local film and television industry to:

Accelerate inclusive economic growth; Promote sustainable job creation; Contribute to poverty alleviation; Align with the economic development objectives of the city; Promote audience development and engagement; The committee stated that the strategic objective will be realised through the initiation, packaging, resourcing and facilitation of strategic partnerships.

The municipality intends to grow the local film industry and ensure that there are activities that help promote audience development and engagement.

The committee added that the objective of the partnership is to provide a portfolio of activities, events, and upskilling programmes that ensure the municipality is providing an environment conducive to the development of a thriving and sustainable film industry.

The DFO also received submissions from the following organisations:

Made in Her Image; Centre for Creative Arts - Durban Science Film Festival; Ehozini Retreat; Animate Durban; Mary Gray Theatre Project; Blue Ocean Economy; Outer West Film Festival; Wushwini Film Festival; Arls Maze (Film Merchandise & Film Podcasts).

The committee stated that the panel used consensus scoring when evaluating the proposals, and recommended projects and amounts to be disbursed through the Grant-in-Aid Partnership programme.

The committee added that the R2 million per financial year will be transferred in agreed tranches, subject to satisfactory performance and compliance with municipal requirements.