DO SOUTH AFRICA
INCENTIVES
South Africa offers cash rebates on Qualifying South African Production Expenditure (QSAPE) — production costs spent on goods, facilities and services provided by South African companies and individuals. The incentives are administered by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and cover feature films, television drama, documentaries, animation and post-production. A separate provision applies to Qualifying South African Post-Production Expenditure (QSAPPE), covering editing, sound, music, visual effects and related services.
Foreign Film and Television Production and Post-Production Incentive
BENEFITS
A rebate of 25% of QSAPE is available to foreign productions shooting on location in South Africa, with an additional 5% of QSAPE where a black-owned service company is used. For post-production work, the base rebate is 25%, rising by a further 2.5% on spend of R10 million or more, and by a further 5% on spend of R15 million or more.
Eligibility
Qualifying productions must spend a minimum of R15 million in QSAPE (or a minimum of R1.5 million for post-production only), film at least 50% of principal photography in South Africa, and shoot a minimum of 21 calendar days of principal photography in the country. The production company must hold at least a Level 3 B-BBEE contributor status and the service provider at least Level 4, and a minimum of 20% of qualifying goods and services must be procured from entities that are at least 51% black-owned by South African citizens.
SA Film and TV Production and Co-production
Benefits
South African productions and official co-productions qualify for a rebate of 35% of QSAPE, with an additional 5% available where black-ownership, employment and procurement thresholds are met.
ELIGIBILITY
The applicant must be a South African-registered production or special purpose company meeting the dtic's B-BBEE contributor requirements, with the production certified as either a South African production or an official treaty co-production.
WHY SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa has long been one of the world's premier filming destinations, combining world-class production infrastructure with an extraordinary range of locations and a highly competitive cost base. A favourable exchange rate stretches production budgets significantly, while established studios, experienced crews and full service capacity allow productions of any scale to be delivered to international standards.
Few countries offer such location diversity within their borders. South Africa can double for almost anywhere on earth — from the cosmopolitan streets and Cape Dutch architecture of Cape Town to the semi-desert of the Karoo, the peaks of the Drakensberg, the winelands, the Garden Route coastline, sweeping beaches, bushveld and safari landscapes, and the urban energy of Johannesburg. This variety allows productions to capture multiple looks within a single shoot.
The country's climate is a further advantage. Long summer shooting days from roughly October to April run counter-seasonally to the northern hemisphere, making South Africa an ideal base when production slows elsewhere. English is widely spoken, the time zone aligns closely with Europe, and a deep pool of skilled cast, crew and service companies supports feature films, television, commercials and documentaries alike.
OUR PROMISE
We at DO Productions South Africa are all about servicing - but more than that, we’re about delivering scripted and unscripted productions that resonate globally. With South African incentives, locations, and world-class crews, we make sure every project finds its perfect stage.
