DURBAN - THE Durban Film Office (DFO) has thrown its weight behind a new feature film called Greatness within you hoping it will help boost the local film industry.
DFO which is part of the eThekwini Municipality, will invest about R250 000 in the project.
A recent report before the municipal council said the DFO supported the adaptation of a theatre play into the 90-minute feature film, which is expected to create 300 job opportunities for Durban youth.
The report stated that: “The DFO, the television and film industry development arm for the eThekwini Municipality, received an application for a feature film project Greatness within you.
“While the application did not meet the applicable criteria, the project is deemed to have potential for economic and essential skills transfer for people working in different sections within filmmaking.”
The DFO said there was value in supporting the development of Greatness within you as an additional project for its development fund programme.
“The project will not only create job opportunities for approximately 300 youths but will also uplift the community of eThekwini by addressing social ills. The project will also seek to promote audience development in line with the DFO outreach programme,” it said.
The report recommended that given the benefit to the local youth and filmmakers as a result of the project the council should support it.
“It was recommended that council approve grant funding of R250 000 towards the development of the feature film in line with the objective of positioning Durban as a world class film and television production destination and a facilitator for the development of the local film industry,” said the report.
THE MERCURY