ABOUT F.I.L.M.
The Film Industry Learner Mentorship programme (FILM) is a Section 21, not-for-profit enterprise created by leading Cape film production and servicing companies to coordinate mentorship, training and skills development in the South African film and commercials industry.
We’re serious about transforming the South African film industry. About addressing its real shortage of management skills. About providing employment, developing enterprises and helping to meet targets set by different economic development initiatives like Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA), The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and Micro Economic Strategy for the Western Cape (MEDS).
FAST-TRACKING CAREERS
FILM’s modus operandi is to fast-track career opportunities through work-based mentorship, with the main focus on assistant directing, production management, line producing, editing, film production accounting and related technical film vocations.
The aim is to accelerate the careers of (mainly but not exclusively) previously disadvantaged, potential managers or heads of department, who may already have film experience but just can’t get into the industry through normal crewing channels.
Experience has shown that transformation in the industry is most effective and sustainable through hands-on training and mentorship on actual productions.
That way, the film and commercials industry helps people to develop into skilled, experienced, passionate and empowered heads of department and managers.
EARN WHILE YOU LEARN
On the F.I.L.M. mentorship programme, mentees (interns who are being trained and mentored) are paid while they are on production or working for production companies.
This helps them to concentrate on gaining those vital skills on local and international productions with the support of – and under the supervision of – an experienced mentor. This way we ensure focused, effective and accelerated skills transfer.
THE HISTORY OF F.I.L.M.
The company completed its first year of operation from March 2007 to March 2008, funded by a Discretionary Grant from the MAPPP-SETA (the Sector Education and Training Authority of the media, advertising, publishing, printing and packaging industries) and contributions from the FILM partner production companies.
In the first year, 30 interns received grants and were successfully mentored by experts in their chosen fields with the help of the FILM manager and a full-time FILM field worker. The mentees also participated actively in regular workshops on life skills and career planning – all the useful stuff that strongly supports actual skills training.
In our second year, FILM successfully accelerated the careers of a number of previously disadvantaged individuals in the film industry, also assisting some to produce their own productions and others to set up their own enterprises!
A BLUEPRINT FOR CHANGE
Some people reckon that FILM is a unique because there is nothing else quite like us around. It’s true that we’re a ground-breaking initiative that’s helping to start transform the industry.
We hope we’re also producing a blueprint for other initiatives, and that mentored, hands-on skills transfer may become a widespread practice throughout the film industry.
For further information, contact Lulu Stone 021 461 7950 or e-mail info@filmsa.co.za