Among those voicing their concerns is Mpho Tau, a seasoned filmmaker and film exhibitor based in Bloemfontein, who says local artists continue to struggle due to a lack of investment and exposure.

Tau has been in the industry for over a decade and worked on acclaimed productions such as Isidingo (SABC 3) and Big Brother. He now runs his own production company, 1976 Films, which he established five years ago. 

‘The Free State lags behind’

Despite his experience and efforts to tell authentic Free State stories, Tau says the province lags behind others, such as Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, when it comes to supporting its creative sector.

“If you look at the Free State film and television landscape, it is not as huge as Gauteng, so opportunities become limited. So, as a result of that, we don’t get exposed to filmmakers who are making works in the Free State. As a result of that, we struggle,” Tau said.

“There are not a lot of works. I don’t know of any (show) currently that is Free State-centred, which is aired on television. As a result of that, we regress because our work doesn’t get exposed.”

Tau urged the provincial Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation – as well as the Department of Tourism – to become more intentional in nurturing the local film industry. He pointed to the Eastern Cape’s approach to the television series Qqeberha: The Story as a prime example of government collaboration that made a significant impact.

“The Eastern Cape were intentional about their film industry. When Qqeberha: The Story came on board, the provincial government put money into it and got people to train local talent; they built a studio, created a story and invested money into it. The majority of people who formed part of the cast in the second season were young people from the Eastern Cape.”

Through the 1976 Films company, Tau has created documentaries that showcase the lives of ordinary Free State residents, including one focused on a blind radio presenter who is also a university student, highlighting stories of resilience and the experiences of people with disabilities. 

Tau casts talent through open auditions and sometimes goes into communities to find individuals whose stories are worth telling.

However, the costs of production remain a major barrier. “Financially, it costs a lot to make a proper film,” he stated. “If I was given R40,000 to R80,000 I would be able to create a film,” Tau said, noting that this budget is relatively small in the industry. 

“That money is nothing for a well-known or experienced producer.”

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg