The Eastern Cape’s burgeoning film and television sector has recorded a staggering economic impact, transforming a modest R43,1 million public investment into R521,7 million in leveraged production value between 2019 and 2025. This remarkable return, driven by the Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund, underscores the province’s potential as a rising force in South Africa’s creative economy.
Administered by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the fund was established in 2019 to support commercially-viable productions filmed in the province. Over the past six years, 31 film and television productions received funding, resulting in the creation of 9,020 temporary jobs and benefitting 696 small businesses across sectors such as catering, accommodation, clothing, security, and transport.
Blockbusters with Local Roots
The fund has backed widely celebrated productions including Gqeberha: The Empire, Survivor South Africa Season 8, Knuckle City, and more recently, Homecoming: An African Christmas Story by Jack and Jill Productions. Shot in Tsholomnqa and released in October 2024, Homecoming premiered at Hemingways Mall in East London and is now screening in cinemas nationwide.
“The fund is designed to attract, support, and grow the industry in the Eastern Cape by offering financial incentives that contribute to investment attraction, job creation, SMME participation, and tourism,” said Ayanda Wakaba, Chief Executive Officer of the ECDC. “We are delighted to see these goals being realised.”
Upcoming Pipeline
The 2025/26 financial year promises further growth. The ECDC is currently processing six new projects with a combined funding request of R9 million, projected to unlock R63.5 million in investment. These productions are expected to create hundreds of jobs across roles in directing, cinematography, editing, and technical support, while involving 59 local small businesses in support services.
Award-Winning Storytelling
Among the fund’s shining examples is The Queenstown Kings, filmed in Komani, which swept four awards at the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), including:
- Best Actor in a Leading Role: Zolisa Xaluva
- Best Director: Jahmil X.T. Qubeka
- Best Film in an African Language
- Achievement in Sound
Another milestone came in February 2025 with the release of Family and Rugby, a heartwarming sports drama filmed in Ezibeleni, Komani, which follows the journey of young rugby star Dumisani Binase. The film is now available on eVOD.
Empowering Local Economies
In the 2024/25 financial year alone, the ECDC invested R6.9 million in eight productions, leveraging R90.1 million and engaging 173 small businesses. These SMMEs provided services ranging from catering and security to set construction and technical support.
An additional four productions submitted in Q4 of 2024/25 are requesting R6.5 million in funding and are projected to unlock R43.5 million in investment while benefiting 35 more SMMEs.
Tourism, Skills, and Transformation
Wakaba emphasized that beyond economics, the film industry contributes to skills transfer, cultural representation, and tourism promotion. The province is actively working to position the Eastern Cape as a competitive and attractive film destination, increasing access to local and international markets for Eastern Cape-based filmmakers.
“The film and television industries are increasingly being recognised as drivers of sustainable development,” Wakaba said. “We are constantly assessing their impact, identifying opportunities, and proposing new interventions to strengthen the sector.”
Why Eastern Cape?
With its scenic beauty, rural charm, cultural richness, and a growing support system, the Eastern Cape is fast becoming a destination of choice for filmmakers. From big-screen releases to festival-bound productions, the province is now firmly on the map of South Africa’s creative economy.
