Africa Halal Week film, media programme isunveiled at 2018 CTIFMF

This week saw the unveiling of the AfricaHalal Week Film and Media programme during Cape Town International Film Marketand Festival. The programme, tailored toward attracting more Muslim producersand filmmakers and fostering relationships between local producers and theMiddle East and North Africa (MENA) regions, is focused around joint discussionsas to how Cape Town and the Western Cape can better position itself as aMuslim-friendly film and media destination.

The programme is a collaboration betweenCape Town and the Western Cape's Film and Media Promotion Unit, based at Wesgroand Cape Town International Film Market and Festival.

As part of the programme, the team hostedthree international guests: Anwaar Abulkhair, a Saudi Arabian producer whorecently produced a TV series in Cape Town; Anis Lassoued, an award-winningdirector and producer from Tunisia; and Intishal Al Timimi, Festival Directorof Egypt’s El Gouna International Film Festival. The international guests werejoined in panel discussions by local producers with years of experience workingin, and co-producing with, the MENA regions.

Monica Rorvik, Wesgro’s head of film andmedia promotion and certified African film commissioner, commented: "TheHalal sector has been identified as a key economic enabler across sectors andthe discussions had today have assisted us to promote our Muslim-friendly filmsector as well as upskill new producers. Panel guests included local producersand international industry experts who provided an understanding of thebroadcast and theatrical needs of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countriesas well as the regional funding opportunities."

"Africa Halal Week will contributetowards an environment that will maximize the growth potential of the industryas well as unlock opportunities and ultimately contribute to the localeconomy," said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety andSecurity; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.

Developing a Halal lifestyle

Minister of Economic Opportunities, AlanWinde said: "When we initially started looking at the potential of Halal,our focus had been solely on food, but we were advised that Cape Town and theprovince had the potential to really develop an entire Halal lifestyleoffering. With our established film industry staffed by skilled filmprofessionals and the Western Cape’s 300-year history of Islam, we are uniquelypositioned to become a Muslim-friendly film and media destination. Exploringthe opportunities in this space will help us to develop our film industry evenfurther, create more jobs and contribute to economic development in theregion."

Wesgro CEO, Tim Harris, concluded:"Africa Halal Week is intended to foster business linkages andconversation around opportunities within the halal industry in Cape Town andthe Western Cape, South Africa and the rest of Africa. Africa Halal Week hasgiven us the opportunity to showcase to industry experts in the film sectorwhat our city and province has to offer as a film destination, as well as learnas to how we can become even more Muslim friendly."

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