Challenges confronting the production of Indigenous Language Films in South Africa

Abstract

Framed upon the low number of indigenous African language films geared for cinema release in the last decade, this dissertation investigates the challenges confronting the production of indigenous language films in South Africa. A twopronged methodology is used. The first employs a film services approach founded upon the value chain analysis developed by Porter (2008). In focusing on the South African film value chain, the research examines skills, infrastructure, and organisational arrangements from conception to output, and how they relate to indigenous language film production. Two indigenous African language films produced in South Africa over the past five years, Matwetwe (Lediga, 2019) and Inxeba (Trengrove, 2017), are used as case studies in consideration for the commercial viability of indigenous African language films in South Africa. Interviews with the producers of the two films were conducted, highlighting the challenges they faced in producing and distributing these indigenous language films. This research further engages with the implications and debates around producing a non-English, local indigenous African language film through a creative research component in the form of a short film entitled Rirhandzu. The obstacles faced in accessing funding within South Africa are raised, and an alternative private funding model is proposed along with increased government funding for indigenous language films; based on the case argued for its viability.