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.

IPO Membership 

IPO GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

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BECOMING A MEMBER

Please complete our MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM to request to join the IPO.

Note that all membership applications need to be approved by the current IPO Executive Committee. Once your application has been approved, an invoice will be emailed to you for payment. Once payment is made you will receive a welcome letter and will be officially added to our database. By becoming a member you are also automatically added to our monthly newsletter and regular newsflashes which are exclusive to the IPO’s membership. These are a valuable resource containing important news and opportunities.

By joining the organisation, you agree to abide by our MOI and other governing policies and guidelines.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
  • As a member you are represented through our engagements with key stakeholders such as government departments from the DTIC to DSAC, agencies such as the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and provincial film commissions, broadcasters and streamers, sister organisations and the South African Screen Federation (SASFED).
  • We lobby government around key bills such as the Copyright Amendment and Performers Rights Amendment Bills, which affect all producers.
  • We engage the DTIC with regards to new guidelines for funding incentives for the industry.
  • We raise funds for industry transformative programmes such as our recent GET ON SET young producers mentorship programme. We have many further ambitions to role out a Black HODs training programme, among others. These programmes are available to members, and to the industry as a whole, ensuring meaningful development and transformation.
  • We have several future-forward-looking programmes and policies underway such as the implementation of Fringing for the IPO to properly capacitate our work and our commitment to establish a South African Guild of Producers – an inclusive and more powerful body that will hold greater sway with government.
  • Membership means access to an extensive network of experienced producers and associated resources, including our Secretariat and Executive Committee.
  • Membership includes free access to all our webinars and knowledge share sessions.
  • You will have access to all submissions and policy discussions that affect the working life of producers (see our resources section for examples). 
  • You will have access to our monthly newsletter and weekly newsflashes which include useful information such as early notice of funding, festivals and markets opportunities. 
  • Across our platforms, you will gain insights into local and international industry developments.
  • There are multiple member benefit opportunities such as access to free and/or reduced registrations such as for the Durban FilmMart.
  • There are opportunities to selected for fully-funded participation in major international development programmes such as the Global Media Makers’ LA residency programme, where the IPO is invited to nominate x5 members each year for this special career-boosting opportunity.
  • There is the potential to participate in juries for local and international awards and industry panels.
  • There is access for younger members to be selected for internships or mentorships programmes
  • You are also able to share your knowledge and contribute your time and efforts to help develop the industry by joining IPO subcommittees and workgroups on critical industry issues (see our subcommittees section for information).
  • There are multiple opportunities to network with industry peers and  to be part of South Africa’s leading family of content creators. We are keen to start organising provincial get togethers such as around free film screenings, to enable networking and knowledge sharing.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEES

Student member: R50.00

Introductory Member: R500.00

Individual Member: R500.00

Producer Member Tier 5: (annual turnover 0 – R500 000): R1 000.00

Producer Member Tier 4: (annual turnover R500 000 – R1 500 000): R5 000.00

Producer Member Tier 3: (annual turnover R1 500 000 – R5 000 000): R10 000.00

Producer Member Tier 2: (annual turnover R5 000 000 – R10 000 000): R15 000.00

Producer Member Tier 1: (annual turnover R10 000 000 and more): R20 000.00

Honorary Member: R500.00

Associate Member: R500.00

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY DEFINITIONS

Student member:

Individuals who are studying – undergoing training with a registered training institution.

Introductory Member: 

An introductory member is a “new producer” (an individual or legal entity) who has not yet produced in the South African film, television, commercial, video, or multi-media production industry. 

Individual Member:

An individual member is an individual employed as an “in-house” producer by another independent producer or production company or a “freelance” producer or “line producer”, employed from time to time as a producer. Any number of individual members who are employed by an independent producer or production company, and who are bona fide producers, shall qualify for membership in this category. No person employed (not contracted or commissioned) by a broadcaster on a full-time basis will qualify for individual membership.

Producer Member:

A producer member is an independent legal entity (e.g. company, close corporation, partnership) principally engaged in, or pursuing the business of producing in the South African film, television, commercial, video or multi-media production industry, and formally carries ultimate responsibility for his/her/its productions; and which has a production history (i.e. has produced a finished product). Legal entities shall nominate one representative from that legal entity. The nominated representative does not qualify for any (other) membership category. The membership fee structure is based on the annual turnover of the company for the most recent tax year.

Affiliate Membership:

The Independent Producers Organisation (IPO) offers Affiliate Membership with four tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each tier provides unique benefits and opportunities to engage with the industry. Below is a breakdown of the annual fees and benefits associated with each tier.

Bronze Tier

Annual Fee: R15,000.00 (Fifteen thousand ZAR)

Membership Benefits:

  • Your logo displayed on our website under the ‘Bronze Members Honour Roll.’
  • Invitations to IPO Producer networking events such as DIFF, DFM, FAME Week Africa, and other festivals, FilmMarts, and industry events throughout the year.
  • Non-voting invitation for CEO and partner to attend the IPO’s annual AGM and after-party.
  • Facilitated introductions to up to five Producer members at the CEO level.
  • Advance notice of five new productions from IPO members.
Silver Tier

Annual Fee: R25,000.00 (Twenty-five thousand ZAR)

Membership Benefits:

  • Advertorial in our IPO monthly newsletter, which reaches all active members – twice per year.
  • Your logo displayed on our website under the ‘Silver Members Honour Roll.’
  • Invitations to IPO Producer networking events such as DIFF, DFM, FAME Week Africa, and other festivals, FilmMarts, and industry events throughout the year.
  • Non-voting invitation for CEO and partner to attend the IPO’s annual AGM and after-party.
  • Facilitated introductions to up to 10 Producer members at the CEO level.
  • Advance notice of 10 new productions from IPO members.
Gold Tier

Annual Fee: R50,000.00 (Fifty thousand ZAR)

Membership Benefits:

  • Advertorial in our IPO monthly newsletter, which reaches all active members – twice per year.
  • Advertorial posted on each of our social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn – once per year.
  • Your logo displayed on our website under the ‘Gold Members Honour Roll.’
  • Your company listed on our ‘IPO Preferred Supplier List,’ which is an available resource on our website.
  • Invitations to IPO Producer networking events such as DIFF, DFM, FAME Week Africa, and other festivals, FilmMarts, and industry events throughout the year.
  • Invitation for company CEO and partner to join us in the IPO’s VIP section at the annual South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs).
  • Non-voting invitation for CEO and partner to attend the IPO’s annual AGM and after-party.
  • Access to our Member Database (for those IPO members who have agreed to release details).
  • Facilitated introductions to producer members unknown to the Affiliate Member.
  • Advance notice of IPO producer members’ upcoming productions.
Platinum Tier

Annual Fee: R100,000.00 (One hundred thousand ZAR)

Membership Benefits:

  • Advertorial in each of our IPO monthly newsletters, reaching all active members.
  • Advertorial posted on each of our social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn – two posts per platform, per year.
  • Your logo displayed on our website under the ‘Platinum Members Honour Roll.’
  • Your company listed on our ‘IPO Preferred Supplier List,’ available on our website.
  • Invitations to IPO Producer networking events such as DIFF, DFM, FAME Week Africa, and other festivals, FilmMarts, and industry events throughout the year.
  • Invitation for company CEO and partner to join us in the IPO’s VIP section at the annual South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs).
  • Non-voting invitation for CEO and partner to attend the IPO’s annual AGM and after-party.
  • Access to our Member Database (for those IPO members who have agreed to release details).
  • Facilitated introductions to producer members unknown to the Affiliate Member.
  • Advance notice of IPO producer members’ upcoming productions.

If you are interested in becoming an affiliate member please email co************@ip*.za or ad***********@ip*.za.

Honorary Member:

An honorary member is an individual who, based on his/her contribution to the industry as a producer, is invited by the membership to join the organisation in this category. A motivation statement for people who feel they should stand in this category should accompany the application form.

Associate Member:

An associate member is an independent individual who is actively involved in the local production industry but who is not principally engaged in or pursuing the business of producing and therefore only produces or pursues the business of producing on an ad-hoc basis (for example editors, writers etc.). It also includes individuals working in a related industry discipline; or an individual who is employed (not contracted or commissioned) as an “in-house” producer by a broadcaster. This category also includes producers who have been inactive and without production work for six months or more.

If you’re unclear as to which membership option you should choose, please email ad***********@ip*.za

Note: All membership fees are due upon receipt of the invoice, which will be issued following the completion, signature, and return of the membership agreement. Membership is effective from the date of full payment and lasts for one calendar year.

Thank you for your interest in joining the IPO!