Fund Name

Foreign Film and Television Production and Post-Production Incentive Programme

Agency

the dtic

Type

Grants & Incentives

Sector

Film and Media Production

Summary

The Foreign Film and Television Production and Post-Production Incentive is a programme administered by the dtic to attract international film and television productions to South Africa. By offering competitive financial incentives, the programme encourages foreign producers to spend their production and post-production budgets locally, thereby creating jobs, developing skills, and boosting the country’s creative economy.

The incentive is calculated at 25% of Qualifying South African Production Expenditure (QSAPE) for productions shooting on location in South Africa, with a maximum grant cap of R25 million. An additional 5% is available where productions both shoot and conduct post-production in South Africa using a black-owned service company.

For post-production-only activities, the incentive is also 25% of Qualifying South African Post-Production Expenditure (QSAPPE), with additional increments of 2.5% for spending at least R10 million and 5% for spending at least R15 million of the post-production budget in South Africa.

The programme has a strong transformation focus: applicants must procure a minimum of 20% of qualifying goods and services from 51% black-owned South African entities, and must achieve specified B-BBEE contributor status levels. The incentive is designed to address historical imbalances in the sector and ensure diversity and inclusion at all levels of production.

Applications must be submitted and receive an outcome before commencement of principal photography. Applicants are required to establish a Special Purpose Corporate Vehicle (SPCV) incorporated in South Africa solely for the production project, and must have secured at least 80% of the total production budget at application stage.

Who this is for?

This incentive is available to foreign-owned production companies wishing to film or conduct post-production in South Africa. Specifically:

  • Foreign productions shooting on location in South Africa with a minimum QSAPE of R15 million for all qualifying formats.
  • Foreign productions conducting post-production in South Africa with a minimum QSAPPE of R1.5 million.
  • The applicant must be (or engage) a South African production company to manage the incentive application.
  • The production company must achieve at least level 3 B-BBEE contributor status.
  • The Special Purpose Corporate Vehicle (SPCV) must achieve at least level 4 B-BBEE contributor status.

What support/funding you can get

Production (shooting in South Africa):

  • 25% of QSAPE, capped at R25 million.
  • Additional 5% of QSAPE for productions that both shoot and conduct post-production in South Africa using a black-owned service company.

Post-production only (conducted in South Africa):

  • 25% of QSAPPE base incentive.
  • Additional 2.5% of QSAPPE for spending at least R10 million of the post-production budget in South Africa.
  • Additional 5% of QSAPPE for spending at least R15 million of the post-production budget in South Africa.

The grant is reimbursable — paid after qualifying expenditure has been incurred and verified.

What you can use it for?

The incentive is applied against Qualifying South African Production Expenditure (QSAPE) or Qualifying South African Post-Production Expenditure (QSAPPE), which includes:

  • Costs of principal photography conducted in South Africa
  • Payments to South African cast and crew
  • Local procurement of goods and services for the production
  • Post-production activities conducted in South Africa (editing, sound, visual effects, etc.)
  • Costs incurred through a South African black-owned service company (to qualify for the additional 5%)

Key requirements and conditions

Production eligibility:

  • Minimum QSAPE of R15 million for all qualifying production formats.
  • At least 50% of principal photography must be filmed in South Africa.
  • At least 21 calendar days of principal photography must be filmed in South Africa.
  • The 50% and 21-day requirements may be waived for productions with minimum QSAPE of R100 million, at the dtic’s discretion.
  • Production company must achieve at least level 3 B-BBEE contributor status.
  • SPCV must achieve at least level 4 B-BBEE contributor status.

Post-production eligibility:

  • Minimum QSAPPE of R1.5 million.
  • Post-production must be conducted in South Africa for at least 14 calendar days (waived if 100% of post-production is in South Africa).
  • Applicant must have secured at least 80% of the total budget.

Mandatory conditions for all applicants:

  • Applicant must be a South African production company.
  • Must procure minimum 20% of qualifying goods/services from 51% black-owned South African entities operating for at least one year.
  • Application must be submitted and approved before the project commences anywhere in the world.
  • Use of multiple subsidiaries as production companies is not permitted.
  • Where not fully funded, at least 80% of the total production budget must be secured at application stage, evidenced by concluded agreements and ring-fenced funds in the SPCV bank account.
  • 100% of the budget must be secured prior to commencing principal photography, following grant award.
  • Must register a South African SPCV wholly owned by the applicant, dedicated solely to the project.
  • Must demonstrate adherence to an industry-specific Code of Professional Standards including sexual harassment and health and safety protocols.
  • All qualifying payments must be made directly from the SPCV’s primary bank account.

How the application works

  1. Confirm eligibility: ensure the production meets minimum QSAPE/QSAPPE thresholds, B-BBEE requirements, and filming-in-South-Africa criteria.
  2. Register a Special Purpose Corporate Vehicle (SPCV) incorporated in South Africa, wholly owned by the applicant, dedicated solely to this production.
  3. Secure at least 80% of the total production budget with firm commitments and ring-fenced funds in the SPCV bank account.
  4. Complete and submit Application Form A to the dtic before commencing principal photography anywhere in the world.
  5. Receive an outcome (provisional approval) from the dtic before commencing photography.
  6. Secure 100% of the budget following the grant awarding decision and submit proof to the dtic.
  7. Conduct production/post-production in South Africa in accordance with approved plans.
  8. Submit a claim using Form B and Claim Form C with supporting financial documentation and a Report of Factual Findings (FFR).

What to prepare before you start

  • Detailed production budget showing Qualifying South African Production Expenditure (QSAPE) breakdown
  • Evidence that at least 80% of the total production budget has been secured (e.g. signed financing agreements, ring-fenced bank account statements)
  • South African production company registration documents
  • SPCV registration documents (South African company, wholly owned by applicant)
  • B-BBEE certificates for both the production company (level 3+) and the SPCV (level 4+)
  • Evidence of compliance with the industry-specific Code of Professional Standards (sexual harassment and health & safety protocols)
  • Completed Application Form A (available from the dtic)
  • Signed contracts with South African black-owned service providers (to qualify for the additional 5% bonus incentive)
  • Production schedule showing filming days in South Africa

Am I a fit for this particular fund?

You likely qualify if:

  • You are a foreign production company planning to shoot a film or television project in South Africa
  • Your South African production expenditure will be at least R15 million
  • You can conduct at least 50% of principal photography (and at least 21 days) in South Africa
  • You are willing and able to register a South African SPCV dedicated to this production
  • You can achieve level 3 B-BBEE (production company) and level 4 B-BBEE (SPCV)
  • You can procure at least 20% of qualifying goods/services from 51% black-owned SA entities
  • You apply before commencing production anywhere in the world

You likely do not qualify if:

  • Your South African production spend will be below R15 million
  • Less than 50% or fewer than 21 days of principal photography will be in South Africa (unless QSAPE exceeds R100 million)
  • You are a South African-owned (not foreign-owned) production — a different incentive applies
  • You have already started filming before applying
  • You cannot meet the B-BBEE contributor status requirements

Quick facts

Overview

  • Agency: dtic
  • Category: Incentive / Reimbursable Grant
  • Scheme Name: Foreign Film and Television Production and Post-Production Incentive
  • What this is: A reimbursable cash grant incentive to attract foreign film and television productions and post-productions to South Africa, calculated as a percentage of qualifying South African expenditure.
  • Geographic Scope: National

Who this is for

  • Eligible Applicant Type: Foreign-owned production companies working through a South African production company and SPCV
  • Sector Focus: Film and television production and post-production
  • Ownership Requirements: Applicant (foreign-owned); production company must achieve B-BBEE level 3; SPCV must achieve B-BBEE level 4; at least 20% procurement from 51% black-owned SA entities
  • Business Stage: Established

Type of support

  • Is financial support provided: Yes
  • Support form: Reimbursable cash grant

Funding parameters

  • Funding basis: Reimbursable — paid after qualifying expenditure is incurred and verified
  • Funding percentage/amount: 25% of QSAPE for production; up to 30% with black-owned service company bonus; 25%–30% of QSAPPE for post-production
  • Funding cap: R25 million per qualifying project
  • Cost-sharing required: Yes (production expenditure incurred by the applicant)

What the support can be used for

Qualifying South African production and post-production expenditure including cast, crew, local procurement, location costs, post-production services

Information you will need to provide

Applicants must provide a detailed production budget, QSAPE breakdown, production schedule, evidence of financing, B-BBEE certificates, and SPCV registration documents. Application must be submitted before commencement of production anywhere in the world.

Key requirements and conditions

Applicants must procure at least 20% of qualifying goods and services from entities that are 51% black-owned by South African citizens and have been operating for at least one year. An additional 5% incentive is available when using a black-owned South African service company for both production and post-production.

How it works

  • Application route: Submit Application Form A to the dtic before commencing production; contact application officials directly
  • Assessment focus: Minimum QSAPE/QSAPPE thresholds, filming days in South Africa, B-BBEE status, budget funding level, compliance with mandatory conditions
  • Turnaround time: Application must be submitted before production commences; applicant must receive an outcome before commencing principal photography

Application support

Not specified

Contact and routing

Mr Eliya Ndou: ENdou@thedtic.gov.za | +27 12 394 1748; Mr Khabo Mhlanga: Kmhlanga@thedtic.gov.za | +27 12 394 1349

Additional information

For productions with QSAPE of R100 million or more, the 50% filming requirement and 21-day minimum may be waived at the dtic’s discretion. All qualifying payments must flow through the SPCV’s primary bank account.

Contact and routing

Applications:

Claims:

Programme Guidelines and Application Forms: Available on the dtic website

Application Considerations:

What You Need to Prepare Before Applying

Most applications are delayed or declined due to incomplete submissions. Preparing the items below upfront will significantly improve your chances.

Core documents (required for almost all funds)

  • Company registration documents
  • Ownership and shareholder information
  • Business plan or project description
  • Recent financial statements or management accounts
  • Project budget and cost breakdown

Project‑specific documents (depending on the fund)

  • Quotes for equipment, infrastructure, or services
  • Feasibility study or technical proposal (where required)
  • Energy solution proposal (for energy‑related funds)
  • Export contracts or buyer information (for export and insurance products)
  • Job creation plan (where applicable)
  • Turnaround or recovery plan (for distress funding)

Additional requirements

  • Proof of sector compliance or permits (where relevant)
  • Evidence of co‑funding or financing approvals (for grants and blended funding)
  • Any templates or declarations specified by the administering agency

What Happens After You Apply

  1. Completeness check – your submission is reviewed to ensure all required documents are included.
  2. Eligibility assessment – the agency confirms that you meet the fund’s basic criteria.
  3. Technical and financial review – your project and financials are evaluated.
  4. Decision and contracting – approved applications proceed to contracting and implementation.

Timelines vary by fund and depend heavily on the quality and completeness of your application.

Important Notes for Applicants

  • Approval is not guaranteed, even if all requirements are met.
  • Funding terms may be subject to final agency approval and conditions.
  • Submitting accurate and complete information is critical.
  • Misrepresentation or incomplete information can result in delays or rejection.

Interested in this fund or have some questions?

Northern Cape, Free State & Mpumalanga Provinces (NFM)

Email Address: NFMcustomercare@thedtic.gov.za

Mr. Mahlatse Mothapo: 012 394 3554 / 082 903 5845
Ms. Jane Mtshali: 012 394 1385

Email Address: NGLcustomercare@thedtic.gov.za

Mr. David Molefe: 012 394 1262
Ms. Selinah Swaratlhe: 012 394 1140

Email Address: WCcustomercare@thedtic.gov.za

Mr. Elias Rafapa: 021 480 8064 / 063 688 6466 
Mr. Vuyo Zitha: 021 480 8055 / 066 306 8424
Ms. Monica Masangwana: 021 480 8063 / 082 647 3611

Email Address: ECcustomercare@thedtic.gov.za

Mr. Andre Le Grange: 041 502 9000 / 060 753 0751
Mr. Simphiwe Ngonyama: 060 753 0663
Ms. Princess Konza: 072 295 4806

Email Address: KZNcustomercare@thedtic.gov.za

Mr. Wiseman Myeni: 076 129 9697 
Ms. Rajeshri Sardha: 072 295 1480
Ms. Neela Govender: 072 296 0369
Ms. Constance Gumede: 072 296 1837

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