FAME Week Africa was launched in 2021, providing a network and opportunity for an industry hard-hit by Covid. Cape Town has been the natural choice to host the event which brings international and national visitors to the cultural hotspot. FAME Week Africa will once again ignite the conversation and the connections from 1-7 September at various venues across the Mother City.
According to the City of Cape Town’s Film Permit Office, Cape Town’s film industry has seen a 22% increase in location permits going from 3,910 to 4,757 in the year 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024. The biggest demand comes from television commercials but there were also 168 large local and international feature films made in the city which is 50% up on the previous year. The City had also frozen film tariffs in the years after Covid as an incentive to businesses trying to get back on their feet. The city is also a primary hub for animation and gaming activities and has already produced some outstanding and acclaimed animation films from studios such as Triggerfish.
DSTV’s stage at FAME Week Africa 2023 (Double click image to download)
Says the City of Cape Town’s JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, “A few years ago the City of Cape Town took the decision to play a bigger role as an enabler of the local film industry. Partnering with festivals such as FAME Week Africa is just one of the avenues in which we provide support to the film industry and the broader creative sector. As a sector that employs thousands of our residents, it is key to ensure we provide a platform for local creatives and filmmakers to display their talent to the international market, while also learning from industry experts. FAME Week Africa provides us with the opportunity to contribute to empowering creatives.”
Traditionally a clothing and textile hub, Cape Town is also home to many of the large national fashion retailers and has a strong entrepreneurial independent fashion sector selling clothing both online and at markets. A recent proposal to create low-cost production houses to compete with cheap imported goods has also been mooted as a viable employment solution. Evolving the skills and opportunities to grow a local-first fashion industry has potential knock-on effects across the fashion spectrum and is a viable support industry for both the film and music industry. The city is also host to numerous musical schools and incubators as well as theatre, concert and independent venues.
With all of these sectors under the spotlight at FAME Week Africa, delegates will be able to learn more about the current trends influencing decision making and the direction of opportunities and collaboration going forward.
Says FAME Week Portfolio Director, Martin Hiller, “The City of Cape Town has put their weight behind enabling the entertainment and creative sector and real results are evident. We’re looking forward to bringing local and international visitors into the city for FAME Week not only to connect, learn, and be inspired by the latest trends and innovations but to experience what this world class host city has to offer.”
Registration is now open at fameweekafrica.com. Tickets range in price, the registration portal contains further details.
TulipCake
High-Net-Worth Individuals: The Africa Wealth Report includes data on high net worth individuals (HNWIs), defined as individuals with net assets of US$1 million upwards. In 2016, South Africa was home to the most HNWIs in Africa, having an estimated 40,400 individuals. This is followed by Egypt (around 18,100 HNWIs) and Nigeria (around 12,300 HNWIs). Having a large group of HNWIs is an indication of a positive business environment, and, despite what we see in the news, South Africans are making money. So why can’t you?