Five months ago, South African filmmakers, under the effective Save SA Film Jobs Coalition, staged a two-day protest against the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC). The DTIC alleged mismanagement of the South African Film and Television Production Incentive Scheme had exposed the South African film industry and its filmmakers to significant economic decline. For six months, the Save SA Film Jobs Coalition has participated in five meetings with the DTIC, despite the severity of the crisis facing the sector. Throughout this period, the Coalition has struggled to secure meaningful engagement from the Department, which has engaged reluctantly and has not demonstrated the level of urgency, collaboration, or responsiveness that would be expected in circumstances where an entire industry is under severe distress. The unresponsiveness has resulted in a deadlock.
For context, South African filmmakers, animators, actors, and industry workers under the Save SA Film Jobs banner began protesting in 2025 because the deepening and entombing crisis was pushing the South African film sector towards collapse. The demonstrations and petitions were attempts to salvage their industry and creative economy from the intended collapse. But, as indicated, the DTIC’s body language isn’t helpful. During the industry-approved protest, the coalition submitted a petition to the DTIC with a ten-day response timeline. The DTIC, on 9th February, 2026, responded by inviting the Save SA Film Jobs Coalition to formally present their case to decision-makers on February 17th.
As of the last report, the DTIC is yet to respond to the filmmakers petition, despite the 10-day ultimatum having elapsed, and Parliament has responded. However, the protesting filmmakers will be going to the Parliament to present their demands and seek positive feedback. In Culture Custodian’s report, we stated that the response South African filmmakers receive during the meeting will determine the fate and future of the SA film industry.
The DTIC was formed in May 2019, merging the former Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Economic Development. The department, whose roots date back to 1910 when it was initially established as the Department of Commerce and Industries, was created to develop and implement policies that promote economic development, industrial growth and foster competition. Its main goals include promoting economic growth by fostering a dynamic and globally competitive economy that creates decent employment opportunities and reduces inequality, supporting industrial development, strengthening manufacturing and other sectors to increase value addition and competitiveness, enhancing trade and investment links with key economies while promoting African development. However, with limited productions taking place, South African filmmakers, who are mostly freelancers and rely on gigs, have been left unemployed and unable to carry out basic economic activities. According to the protesting filmmakers, the scheme’s failure to convene adjudication meetings and approve applications has stalled productions, led to job losses, and created significant economic impact. The protest was against the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) whose mismanagement of the South African Film and Television Production Incentive Scheme had unfortunately exposed the South African film industry to significant economic decline.
Now, the protesting filmmakers under Animation South Africa, Writers Guild of South Africa, The South African Stunts Association, The South African National Editors Forum, The Independent Producer Organization, The South African Guild of Actors, The South African Screen Federation, Personal Managers Association, The South African Performing Artists Managers Association Creative20, Cinegear World, The South African Society of Cinematographers, The Soweto Film Market, Independent Directors Association of Africa, The South African Guild of Editors, and The Documentary Filmmakers Association have declared deadlock with DTIC and are calling for parliamentary and ministerial intervention since their engagement with the DTIC reached a deadlock.
The Coalition had presented detailed proposals to stabilise the Film and Television Production Incentive, but these efforts resulted in mere “talk shops,” with no meaningful implementation of the urgent issues threatening the survival of the sector. South African filmmakers believe that the DTIC has, in practical terms, remained non-functional for an extended period. The Adjudication Committee meetings have not resumed for almost two and a half years, applications remain unprocessed, productions have been stalled, and jobs across the sector remain at risk. The continued delay and stalled government incentives have left thousands without income. The filmmakers warned that billions in investment and more than 100 000 jobs are at risk.
In the last petition and meeting with Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimipi, their demands were largely not met. These include the immediate resumption of Adjudication Committee meetings, the processing of applications already in the system, proper working groups to deal with short- and medium-term solutions, improved transparency, a reduction in red tape, regular guideline interpretation workshops, and meaningful accountability for the breakdown of the incentive. Although the Deputy Minister had instructed that workshops and working groups commence, these processes have not been properly implemented. Instead, engagements have increasingly become discussion forums without clear decisions, timelines, deliverables, or implementation.
Also, the Coalition has lost confidence in the current leadership of the Film Unit. For many years, the Film and Television Production Incentive was regarded by the industry as one of the most reliable and efficient production incentives internationally. It gave local and international producers, financiers, broadcasters, studios, and service providers confidence that South Africa was a dependable production destination. The incentive has therefore deteriorated from a functioning and trusted system into one that has, in practical terms, become non-operational.
In a new petition, the Coalition has called for the removal of Ms Nelly Molokoane from the Film Unit and from any further decision-making relating to the Film and Television Production Incentive. This resolution was adopted by the Coalition, with all votes cast in favour and a single abstention. On 13 July 2026, the Coalition wrote to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Honourable Parks Tau, requesting urgent Ministerial intervention. The Coalition requested, among other things, the immediate reopening of adjudication committee meetings, the urgent processing of applications, and a formal written response within seven calendar days. To date, no response has been received.
The petition reflects the Coalition members’ concerns. “This continued lack of engagement reinforces the Coalition’s view that the DTIC does not appear to grasp the gravity of the lack of action and implementation. The industry is not merely awaiting policy discussion. It is facing an immediate operational crisis,” the petition read. They are requesting to appear before the Parliamentary Portfolio. Also, there are hints of a renewed mobilisation of the industry, including nationwide protest action, should urgent and meaningful intervention not take place.
In its words, the Coalition remains committed to resolving this matter constructively. However, the industry cannot continue to wait while transformation is reversed, productions collapse, jobs are lost, public funds risk going unused, and confidence in South Africa’s film and television production sector continues to deteriorate. “The Coalition calls on parliament and the minister to act urgently and decisively.
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