Eastern Cape filmmakers are set to receive a cut of the R230 million in film funding offered by the Sixth Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP 6) through the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) as funding roadshows kicked off in the province in East London on Wednesday.
The first of three NFVF Eastern Cape PESP 6 film funding roadshows was held at the InvestSA One Stop Shop in collaboration with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) in East London. The roadshows continue in Mthatha today, with the final engagement with filmmakers in Gqeberha on Friday 24 October 2025. The roadshows present film industry professionals with funding opportunities for their film productions through the PESP 6.
Film funding through the PESP is offered across three streams. The first stream is Group 1 Production funding which includes development and post-production with funding capped at R10 million. The first stream also includes Group Production funding which includes post-production capped at R2 million. The second stream is skills development funding offered between R700,000 and R1 million. The third funding stream is marketing and distribution between R500,000 and R1,5 million.
“PESP 6 funding for the 2025/26 financial is set at R230 million. Applications opened on 1 October and will close on 31 October. Submissions are streaming in nationwide, and the NFVF is working to ensure that applications are compliant and correctly completed.
“Since 15 October, the NFVF has conducted 15 roadshows in provinces including the Northern Cape, North West, Mpumalanga, Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo. The final roadshows will take place next week in the Western Cape and Gauteng. To date, the PESP has disbursed R864.3 million to filmmakers, creating 74,560 jobs through funded productions. The target for PESP 6 is to create 15,360 jobs during the 2025/26 financial year. We are grateful for the support of stakeholders such as the ECDC who are playing a crucial role in opening up access to Eastern Cape filmmakers as well as complementary film industry funding instruments,” says NFVF PESP Accountant Lindokuhle Cele.
At the East London leg of the Eastern Cape roadshows more than 50 filmmakers including producers, directors, and industry professionals working across film development, production, post-production, skills development, marketing, and festivals attended the PESP 6 funding presentation. The NFVF presented on the PESP 6 funding programme and how filmmakers can access financial support for their productions. Additionally, the NFVF introduced an open funding call titled Blockbuster Team Heritage, which closes in mid-November. This opportunity invites filmmakers to submit applications for blockbuster films that showcase their interpretation of South African heritage.
Notable Eastern Cape film projects previously funded through the PESP include, EC SKILLS 10, The Ungovernable, Queen of Xhosa Music – Madosini, Horses for Xhosas, Life, Love & Everything Else, Stand Up Straight, Mosuli, Silibalekile (TV Pilot) and Briefcase.
The Eastern Cape Development Corporation also presented on the Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund, outlining additional funding opportunities for local filmmakers. The Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund provides investment funding to qualifying productions that choose the Eastern Cape as their filmmaking destination. Through the fund, the Eastern Cape Government promotes the Eastern Cape as an attractive film destination with breathtaking locations, untapped opportunities, and unique biodiversity. The fund supports the growth of the film industry through investment promotion, job creation, and skills development within the province.
“Film and television productions produced in the Eastern Cape are proving a remarkable success having leveraged a total investment value of R521,7 million from a R43,1 million funding incentive from the provincial Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund between 2018 to 2025.
“The economic impact of the 31 funded film productions is being felt through job creation, small business participation and skills transfer to local creatives. Through the 31 productions, 9,020 temporary jobs were created benefitting 696 small businesses across various sectors including hospitality, retail, transport, security and clothing,” says Arts and Crafts Coordinator Athenkosi Baliso.
Baliso says the Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund offers funding across two categories. Production Funding is offered for, feature films, drama/TV series, reality shows, telenovelas, documentaries and animations. Microfilm Funding is offered for short films, documentaries and short TV formats.
