SA film-makers forge ties with Hollywood

NOMMER 37 producer Bradley Joshua hailed their trip to the US a success as they met with Hollywood executives to form long-lasting working relationships.

“In relation to our company, the mission was a success in that I managed to meet with representatives of a big international streaming service-providing company which showed interest in one of our productions.

“Although the deal will probably take a few more weeks to close, it is looking positive. It is a good deal, which will put us on the international map,” said Joshua.

He was the toast of the town as the US premiere of his movie, Nommer 37, coincided with the mission.

The movie is a crime thriller set in the Cape Flats and tells the story of a paraplegic who witnesses a crime but decides to blackmail the perpetrator instead of reporting him.

He and other South African film-makers returned from the US yesterday after taking part in the American Film Market and attending a series of meetings on the sidelines.

They were optimistic their mission would yield positive results and see them working with the Hollywood companies.

The trip was funded by the Department of Trade and Industry.

The meetings with Hollywood companies – including HBO, CBS, Fox, Sony, Disney and Paramount Pictures – formed the most important part of the Outward Film and Television Investment Mission led by Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Bulelani Magwanishe.

“As emerging film-makers, we are delighted the government has provided us with a golden opportunity to meet with such highranking executives of companies that many film-makers all over the world aspire to work with.

“That we were able to interact with these Hollywood companies did not only inspire us, but it gave us hope that we will be able to collaborate with them in future.

“We were able to introduce ourselves and market our companies, exchanged business cards and briefly shared ideas,” said Joburg-based filmmaker Wandile Molebatsi.”

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