Collaboration to improve working with SANParks

In what seems to be an industry first, the IPO, Commercial Producers’ Association, SA Stills Producers Association and a group of freelance wildlife fixers and producers are working together on a strategy to address numerous challenges related to working with SANParks and the Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries. It has become increasingly difficult and costly to shoot in these locations and our marine environment, to the extent that shoots are moving to private reserves or even starting to be lost to other countries, due to the costs, restrictions and delays in processing permit applications.

We’re working on a comprehensive plan for high-level engagements with SANParks, DEFF and other key stakeholders, the hopes that they will see the immense value these shoots showcasing the country’s magnificent natural history and wildlife bring to their parks, tourism, hospitality and, ultimately, the country – delivering more advertising and marketing value for the country than any government department’s advertising budget could achieve.  We hope this will result in an improvement in their service to and relationship with our sector.

We’re collating information (detail on the nature of problems the sector is experiencing) and footage of shoots in these locations to support our lobbying. Should you have information or footage you’re willing to share for this cause, please email it to tl********@ip*.za