/ 23 January 2008

Cape Town backs ‘film city’ with R30m

The City of Cape Town is making R30-million available to restart the development of the Dreamworld Film City project, which is still hoping to turn the eastern suburbs of Cape Town into a southern-hemisphere Hollywood.

Simon Grindrod of the Independent Democrats, mayoral committee member for economic development and tourism, said on Wednesday, after the spending was approved by the city council that his department has spearheaded efforts to make available the city’s R30-million contribution — in terms of the provision of bulk infrastructure for the Dreamworld film studio.

“This project represents the single biggest opportunity to secure billions of rands’ more income for the city in terms of film production and associated industries,” he said. “The Cape Town film industry is estimated to be worth R20-billion.”

South African film producer Anant Singh was chosen to build the country’s first major Hollywood-style film studio in Cape Town four years ago. It was to be built on the Vergenoegd Farm in Faure off the N2 just outside Somerset West.

That decision came four years after the construction of a mega film studio in the city was first proposed by the Western Cape provincial government.

Grindrod said: “The Film City project can now move forward and I am happy that all outstanding issues have been clarified. My department’s R30-million contribution will finally be spent on creating the jobs and investment linked to this venture.” — I-Net Bridge