Cape Town has seen a notable 22% rise in film permits issued during the 2023/24 financial year, marking significant growth in its local film industry. The City of Cape Town’s Film Permit Office reported an increase from 3,910 to 4,757 permits issued between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

Television commercials continued to dominate the scene, accounting for 1,604 permits, while micro-shoots followed with 962 permits. The city also hosted 168 large local and international feature films, nearly double the number from the previous year. This growth has positioned Cape Town as a year-round filming destination, significantly boosting the local industry.

Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security in Cape Town, emphasized the city’s transformation into an all-year filming hub. “We are seeing more productions taking place in the winter months, which is crucial for an industry that contributes billions to the economy and employs over 30,000 people,” he said.

To further support the industry, the city froze filming tariffs for the fourth consecutive year. This included zero-rated fees for metro police and traffic services aiding road closures, saving the industry R700,000 in production costs.

The latest boon to the local film industry is the live-action adaptation of the anime hit One Piece, which has been renewed for a new season by Netflix.

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