For the past 12 years, the KZN South Coast has played host to the illustrious Ugu International Film Festival (UGUIFF) which attracts local and international stakeholders from the film industry, with local talent given a platform to shine. Expanding the opportunities within this sector to other industries, the 2024 UGUIFF strategy included a ‘Film and Business Market’ which further boosted local economic growth.
Zindela Pictures Group, organisers behind UGUIFF, partnered with South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), the South Coast Chamber of Commerce, and Ray Nkonyeni Municipality to leverage the region’s economic potential through this platform. This year saw local and international businesses exhibiting their products and services directly to end-users and potential buyers within the film industry.
“The KZN South Coast has long been a top television and film production destination, with our exquisite natural scenery, affordability, and accommodating environment making this an attractive option for international producers,” explained Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of SCTIE. “This collaborative effort is set to further market the region as a keen film destination, while exposing investors to the many business opportunities connected with the industry.”
The annual Sardine Run and two world-class dive sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks continue to attract international documentary filmmakers year-round, but the KZN South Coast has played host to several other notable features. Among these are The Longest Date reality TV series on SABC 3, Tarzan and the Lost City, Dhoom 2, Race, Blue Crush 2, and a number of Bollywood films and international documentaries.
All of this is alongside the annual Ugu International Film Festival which attracts global, business-minded producers and investors interested in creating high-concept films. Many local businesses benefitted from this investment-driven festival from 17 to 19 October 2024, among them is Margate Hotel, which is set to host the event annually. This year’s edition motivated the owners of Oasis and Karambas to partner with Zindela Pictures Group to produce a film titled PARA KKING currently going through development and expected to make waves internationally.
Senzo Zindela, Founding Chairman and Festival Director of UGUIFF, explained the introduction of the Film and Business Market in 2024 had been a great success:
“We hosted local businesses and also welcomed international partners who were looking for opportunities to invest in the local film industry. This business element attracted investors and producers from all over the world, among them Mitchel Augustine flew from London specially to screen his film while networking for more investment.
“There were also 21 business investment delegates from the USA who were taken to strategic locations around KZN renowned for community development and upliftment. They were led by Professor Katheryn Hubbard Ward who flew out to meet me after the event.
“The visit by the Americans led to the birth of the International Incubation Film Exchange Programme (IIFEP) which will be taking 15 local business stakeholders to learn advanced international operations and business growth for four months in the USA. This benefits everyone, and we use these connections to help our rural creatives develop, which was the main vision for starting the festival.”
This year saw Zindela Pictures Group create a long-term partnership with a Russian AI and electric car production company, Duyunov Motors. This has unlocked significant investment potential for product placement opportunities, and even the potential for establishing a production centre in the region for electric vehicles.
With the assistance of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, UGUIFF is also developing and growing the local film industry sector to attract investors to the region. Local talent is also being empowered and supported through workshops led by the municipality’s Local Economic Development (LED) office. Community outreach has also ensured students at rural schools are provided with film career guidance, opening them to the many opportunities in the industry.
This comprehensive industry support has revealed the potential for local economic growth, as well as the extensive investment opportunities in the film industry, set to be further unlocked through the 13th Ugu International Film Festival!
SCTIE Investment Details
This investment potential is further supported by the region’s economic and business hub, Port Shepstone. This strategically located destination offers access to major transport networks, necessary business-driving services, the Eastern Seaboard Development, and support needed to unlock investment potential across key sectors. Port Shepstone is also home to the One Stop Shop, established by SCITE and Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) to improve the efficiency of doing business in the region.
To find out more about these and more investment opportunities, get in touch with SCTIE, the KZN South Coast’s One-Stop Shop for investment. Contact SCTIE on 039 682 7944, email oss@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.
Keep updated on the KZN South Coast by following the South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise – SCTIE page on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. Watch why the KZN South Coast is a top investment destination here. Check out the latest Southern Explorer Route Guide for the KZN South Coast here.
Follow the hashtags #visitkznsouthcoast #investkznsouthcoast #sctie #kznsouthcoastfamily #embracesummer #nowsthetime! And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases.
To purchase goods sold or secure services from Buy Local businesses visit the online directory on the SCTIE website. To make orders from Buy Local members or join the campaign, visit the Buy Local tag at www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za or click here for a membership form.
Now’s the Time to Invest in KZN South Coast!
The KZN South Coast is well-positioned to leverage investment potential through the Eastern Seaboard Development Initiative with existing investor support provided by Port Shepstone Business Hub and the KZN South Coast’s One-Stop Shop. The KZN South Coast continues to offer unmatched investment opportunities across a range of sectors, among them:
- Agriculture
- Property development
- Manufacturing
- Mining and Beneficiation
- Maritime | Ocean Economy
- Logistics
- Renewable Energy
- Hinterland Sites