The IPO represents, protects and promotes the interests of independent South African film, television and digital media producers and, in turn, all who work in and are suppliers to the industry value chain.

ABOUT US

The Independent Producers Organisation (IPO) represents, protects, and promotes the interests of independent South African film, television, and digital media producers and, in turn, all who work in and are suppliers to the industry value chain in South Africa.

VISION

Fostering an empowered, transformed, vibrant and flourishing production industry which maximises its economic contribution and job-creation potential, striving to ensure a sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive production industry which celebrates and affirms our country’s diversity.

MISSION

The IPO endeavours to effect positive change in the industry through its interaction with stakeholders comprising the Parliament, Broadcasters, Department of Communication, Treasury, Arts and Culture, the DTIC, NFVF, IDC and film commissions. The organisation is succeeding in leading dialogues that would guarantee that producers, particularly producers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, triumph in becoming accomplished film and television business owners. The organisation continues to map the way forward on issues regarding policy, strategy and transformation.

  • Represent, promote and protect the specific needs and interests of producers.
  • Represent and promote the economic and cultural interests of the South African film, television and video production industry locally, continentally and abroad.
  • Develop, support and implement growth strategies for the industry to increase local, continental and international markets.
  • Promote the development and establishment of aspirant and emergent producers and production companies.
  • Overcome historical disparities within the industry, based on race, gender, disability and sexual orientation.
  • Promote the industry for the good of the broader South African economy.
  • Promote a stable and viable industrial environment within the industry.
  • Encourage professionalism and high technical and creative standards in the industry.
  • Keep producers at the forefront of technological, economic and cultural changes.
  • Interact with and create negotiating channels and standard agreements with industry-related organisations.
  • Regulate relations between members and employees or trade unions.
  • Promote health and safety standards for the industry.
  • Play a key role in education, training and enhancement of skills within the industry.
  • Inform and enlighten non-industry organisations (e.g. educational institutions, government bodies, financial institutions) about the industry.
VALUES

Leadership – we are brave, bold, assertive, protectors, ethical, warriors, vigilant, inclusive, supportive

Strategic thinking – we are analytical, objective, tactical, focused, agile, visionary, responsive, collaborative, detail-oriented but big-picture focused

Committed – we are relentless, confidential, trustworthy, accountable and recognise that our role on Exco is not about status but about contribution and service

Innovative – we are pioneering, trailblazing, creative, progressive, disruptive, alert/early adopters, risk-taking

Communicative – we are open, factual, transparent, respectful, tolerant

OUR HISTORY

The IPO was launched on the 14th of November 1996 in Cape Town, coinciding with the Southern African Film & Television Market (Sithengi) held there at the time.

From its conception the Independent Producers Organisation was instituted to be a professional, dynamic and proactive organisation implementing positive programmes to advance the interests of producers and the industry as a whole squarely based on the needs of its membership, offering concrete services and benefits including the networking of information, legal and business clinics or services, publications, a channel for lobbying, industrial relations regulation, special business and production advantages, international relations and training and development opportunities.

The IPO’s early goal was also, and still is, to institute training and education programmes to bring new voices into the South African Film and Television industry and also provide the much needed platform for its members to negotiate new relations with the SABC, MNET, eTV, the independent Broadcasting Authority and future broadcasters as well as contributing to the development of a stable labour relations environment in our industry, promoting the interests of all South African Producers and building the South African Film and Television Industry.

HOW IT BEGAN

After months of groundwork and consultations headed by steering committees in Gauteng and the Western Cape, a national workshop was held in Johannesburg on Saturday 26 October 1996, to which all independent producers in South Africa were invited.

Approximately a hundred people attended. The concept of an independent producers’ organisation received unanimous support from the group. Decisions taken at the workshop form the basis of the founding principles of the Organisation.

THE FGM

The Founding General Meeting was held on 22 February 1997 with some 150 members present in the countries major centres: Gauteng, Kwa Zulu Natal and the Western Cape (With a live video link between the locations). The occasion is a milestone for the South African Film Industry. A constitution was adopted and a new executive committee was voted into office with a mandate to carry the Organisation forward. The IPO will serve as the official organ of the independent producers speaking in one voice.

Mfundi Vundla, Chairman of the then IPO commented,

“South Africa has got everything it takes – the stories, the skills, the locations, yet our industry is producing fewer feature films than some neighbouring countries and our television industry is out performed by countries half our size. With the establishment of the IPO we can correct this unacceptable situation”

SUMMARY OF DATES

26 October 1996 – National workshop was held in Johannesburg (Indaba Hotel) to which all independent producers in South Africa were invited and around 100 attended. Decisions taken at the workshop form the basis of the founding principles of the Organisation.

14 November 1996 – IPO was launched in Cape Town, coinciding with the Southern African Film & Television Market (Sithengi).

22 February 1997 – FGM with 150 members present via Video Link in Gauteng, Kwa Zulu Natal and the Western Cape.

For further information about the IPO, please contact the us by sending an email to ad***********@ip*.za">ad***********@ip*.za or co************@ip*.za">co************@ip*.za.