Screen Sector Fundraising Appeal
Despite Netflix’s generous contributions to our sector, thousands remain in dire need. As recently announced, to try and address this, the IPO and SASFED, with support from Gray Global Advisors, have set up the Screen Sector Support Initiative, an umbrella organisation which seeks to offer relief to our sector through the Screen Sector Support Fund, and thereafter to assist in recovery and development efforts for the sector. The Fund is administered by Tshikululu Social Investments, the country’s oldest and leading social funds managers.
The Fund’s founding donors are Sony Pictures International ($250k), the National Arts Council (R570k) and the NFVF (R100k), to whom we are deeply grateful. A small portion has been set aside to assist industry organisations which have been hard-pressed to support their members during the pandemic, leaving only enough to provide some 200 grants of R15k each to workers in the sector – yet the Fund has received thousands of heart-wrenching applications from our industry colleagues who remain in the most dire straits. The recently-announced 2nd tranche of the Netflix Covid-19 relief Fund (a collaboration between Netflix, SASFED and the IPO), while very generous at $500k, will only be able to assist a further 500 or so, leaving thousands without. More must be done to support our colleagues in need.
Attached is a letter of appeal for donations to the Fund, with details of how donations may be made. We offer Section 18A Certificates to allow donations to be tax deductible, logo placements and other PR exposure if desired. The spirit of this Fund ‘by the industry, for the industry’. As a member of the industry, please consider donating if you are able – any amount will be welcome. And please forward the appeal letter to your suppliers or others you know who may be willing to contribute.