South Africa’s Film Industry Founders as State Withholds Support

South Africa’s once-thriving film industry says it’s on the verge of collapse because the government has withheld financial support for the past two years, leaving thousands of actors, producers, writers and support staff struggling to find work.

The number of films and documentaries made in the country soared in part due to the introduction of the South African Film and Television Production Incentive, which provides rebates of up to 40% of costs to production companies that meet certain requirements, including that they are locally registered and utilize South African directors.