Co-production Treaties

Co-production is a general term that covers a variety of production arrangements between two or more production companies undertaking a television or film or other video project. International co-production refers to the situation of two or more production enterprises from different countries undertaking such projects. For easy reference in this piece we will only deal with International co-production.

There are two types of co-productions; one is a co-production where the creative control is shared between local and foreign partners, and where there is a mix of local and foreign elements in the creative positions. The other form of co-production is where it encompasses a straightforward co-financing arrangement (finance only) in which one partner provides partial funding while another company undertakes the actual production.

To date South Africa has entered into four Audiovisual Co- production treaties with Canada(1997), Italy (2003), Germany (2004) and the United Kingdom (2007). South Africa will continue to enter into future co-production treaties with various countries in the future for the benefit of the industry.

The effect of these agreements is that a film or television program, which is approved as an official co-production is regarded as a national production of each of the co-producing countries, and is therefore eligible to apply for any benefits or programs of assistance available in either country. A second advantage of international co-productions is that each of the co-producers brings access to his/her domestic market.

The NFVF has prepared guidelines to assist producers in making their application. They outline the application procedure and the requirements for submission of projects applying for an Advance ruling.

In order to assist film makers these guidelines have been drafted under the guidance of best practice in other co-producing countries and their competent authorities policies and the assistance of the main film industry bodies in our country, and a number of producers, lawyers etc, who have been particularly involved with co-production in the last few years.

Application procedure: There is a two-step application procedure for a film to qualify as an official co production.

First, each co-producer needs to apply to the competent authority in their home country at least 30 days prior to the commencement of principal photography for an Advance Ruling.

At the end of the production an application for Final Approval is made on the application form for a Final Approval and submitted together with the required documentation (Please refer to guidelines for Final Approval)

Co-Production Treaties

1. South Africa and Canada
2. South Africa and Germany
3. South Africa and Italy
4. South Africa and United Kingdom
5. South Africa and France
6. South Africa and New Zealand
7. South Africa and Australia
8. South Africa and Ireland

Co-Production Guidelines

1. Co-Production Guidelines

Co-Production Application Forms

1. Advance Ruling Application Form
2. Final Ruling Application Form