FILM and television production in the Eastern Cape is proving a remarkable success, according to the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), which says the regional industry has leveraged a total investment of R522 million from a R43 million funding incentive from the provincial Film Investment Fund between 2019 and 2025.
The corporation says the economic impact of the 31 funded film productions is being felt through job creation, small business participation, and skills transfer to local creatives. Through the 31 productions, 9,020 temporary jobs were created, benefitting 696 small businesses across various sectors, including hospitality, retail, transport, security and clothing. Since its establishment in 2019, the Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund has attracted and supported immensely popular productions such as telenovela Gqeberha: The Empire, Survivor South Africa 8, Knuckle City and more recently the film Homecoming: An African Christmas Story by Jack and Jill Productions, which was released in October 2024.
“In 2019, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) managed Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund was established to support commercially-viable film and television productions shot in the province,” says ECDC chief executive officer Ayanda Wakaba. “The fund is designed to attract, support and grow the film and television industry in the Eastern Cape by providing a financial incentive to productions that contribute to investment attraction, job creation, SMME participation, skills development and tourism.
“We are delighted that we are seeing these goals being realised. We already have an exciting line-up of film projects in the pipeline, which are being considered for funding. For the current financial year, the ECDC is already processing six potential film projects planning to shoot in the 2025/26 financial year with a combined financial support of R9 million, which is expected to leverage a total investment of R63.5 million. These pipeline projects are expected to create jobs across various roles such as production, direction, cinematography, editing, and technical support. A total of 59 small businesses are expected to participate across these projects, directly benefiting them in areas such as catering, transportation, technical services, and equipment rental,” says Wakaba.
Beyond direct job creation and small business participation, these film and television projects promote skills development while boosting the tourism sector.
Wakaba says the province is actively promoting film investment by positioning the province as a competitive and attractive film destination. The film and television industry holds immense economic potential, and the province is increasing market access for Eastern Cape-based production companies and productions shot in the Eastern Cape to screen their projects in local and international film festivals.
The production localisation financial incentive support has proven effective in bolstering the Eastern Cape’s competitive advantage, complemented by the natural beauty of the province. This initiative is bearing fruit with production companies choosing the Eastern Cape as their preferred location for production, giving rise to attractive development dividends.
For example, in the 2024/25 financial year, the ECDC invested R7 million in eight film and television productions, leveraging a total investment value of R90 million. These productions contributed to job creation, skills development and small, medium, and micro enterprise (SMME) development. During the production phase of these projects, a total of 173 SMMEs provided support services, including catering, accommodation, warehouses, storage facilities, transport, security, mobile ablution facilities, set construction, costume designs, laundry services and technical support. From creating job opportunities to empowering local talent and businesses, Gqeberha: The Empire has left a lasting legacy.
A further four projects with a total budget request of R6.5 million were submitted for funding consideration in the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. These productions are expected to leverage a return on investment of R43.5 million. The projects are set to benefit 35 SMMEs in various sectors, including accommodation, security, catering, and transport among others.
In October 2024, the province celebrated the release of Homecoming, a feature film shot in Tsholomnqa. Jack and Jill Productions in collaboration with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation hosted a successful premiere of Homecoming at Hemingways Mall in East London on 04 October 2024. Homecoming: An African Christmas Story is a heartwarming holiday film set in the rural village of Tsholomnqa in the Eastern Cape. The story is centred around family, tradition, and reconciliation, celebrating African culture through Christmas. This film is currently available in cinemas nationwide.
The Queenstown Kings continues to make waves and scoop awards. The Queenstown Kings filmed in Komani, scooped four awards at the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). The film won the following awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role: Zolisa Xaluva; Best Director: Jahmil X.T. Qubeka; Best Film in an African Language; and Achievement in Sound.
On 27 February 2025, the industry celebrated another milestone with the release of Family and Rugby, a feature film shot in Ezibeleni, Komani, which will be available on eVod. The story revolves around Dumisani Binase, a young rugby star from Ezibeleni in Komani, whose journey is characterised by challenges, triumphs and unwavering love of his community.
“There is a growing recognition of the film and television industries as drivers of sustainable development. We are continuously assessing the economic impact of film and television in the Eastern Cape. In addition, the province is identifying challenges, gaps and opportunities, and proposing comprehensive interventions aimed at supporting the film and television industries while positioning the province as a competitive hub for film and television productions,” says Wakaba.
