South Africa is rapidly becoming a popular film destination, offering production crews incredible views, stunning climate and affordable prices. The Western Cape was the first choice for many in the industry, but many assets on Kwazulu-Natal place it as an attractive destination. The KZN South Coast is a major location.
According to the good news, foreign film production investment in South Africa is expected to exceed R5 billion by October 2025.
“This incredible increase in investment really shows the country's potential to become a global hub for filmmaking, and KZN South Coast offers investors many reasons to consider setting up in the region,” commented Dr. Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprises (SCTIE). “By attracting the film industry here, we are fulfilling our mission to ensure investment while introducing the region's incredible tourism assets to the world.”
SCTIE shares 10 reasons why foreigners and domestic film producers have chosen to create television shows, documentaries and feature films on the KZN South Coast.
1. Sardine's Run
For decades, the annual sardine run (known as the “large shallow water on earth”) has captivated documentary makers around the world. This underwater scene offers filmmakers unique shots of marine life, as they watch them chase a shallow water of silver sardines along the coast of the KZN South Coast. With ongoing activity over the winter months, there is still great potential for documentaries on the area's natural environment.
2. Amazing aquatic location
There are three marine sanctuaries on the South Coast of KZN, two of which (Aliwal Shoal and Protea Bank) are world-renowned diving sites, featuring the best Marine viewing on the planet. For underwater shots, this area cannot beat, but there are so many other aquatic locations for epic filmmaking. From its blue flag beaches (the best numbers in KZN), tides, rivers, lakes, dams and estuaries to many spectacular waterfalls, this is the perfect backdrop.
3. Diverse landscapes
Beyond the edge of the water, the KZN South Coast offers incredible landscapes to a variety of cinema environments. As diverse as those found here, it ranges from 11 idyllic golf courses to nature and gaming sanctuaries, parks, cliffs, valleys, valleys and even the smallest desert in the world. There are also a variety of agricultural environments, from banana plantations and sugar cane to macadamia, coffee and vegetable farms. Filmmakers don't have to travel far to get different backgrounds for the shots.
4. Wildlife experience
Sardine run is just one aspect of the local wildlife that appears in the film. The KZN South Coast features a variety of South African wildlife experiences that provide great on-screen viewing. Moving humpback whales and messing up dolphins is a common sighting, and Aliwal shawl is one of two known shortfin devil lake cleaning station areas in the world. On land, the local game reserve is home to African wildlife such as zebras, giraffes and bucks. Nature reserves are small wildlife, such as citizens, gennets, and velvet monkeys. Not to mention the incredible birdlife in the area – many species are endemic to the area, attracting fine-tuning players from across the board.
5. Cultural and Heritage
Filmmakers seeking to incorporate historical or cultural elements into their production are spoiled for their choices on the South Coast of KZN. At Kwaxolo Caves, centuries-old sun paintings adorn the walls, traditional sites such as the Isivivane Senkosi Ushaka, Kwanzimakwe Multi-Trails and the Ntelezi Msane Heritage site showcase African heritage, while Gamarake offers a genuine township. Archaeological sites such as the world's smallest desert, the red desert, and the fossils and petrified forests of Muzamba date back centuries, but traditional lighthouses and shipwrecks create a wonderful background.
6. Top Accommodation
From top-end resorts and hotels to bed and breakfasts, self-meter units and award-winning seaside campsites, KZN South Coast has no end to accommodation. No matter your budget, there is plenty of space on the premises to host a crew of movies, with hospitality providers further distanced to ensure comfort, convenience and support.
7. Proven film destinations
In addition to many documentaries featuring the world-famous sardine run, KZN South Coast offers a setting for many epic film and television shows. Discovery, National Geographic, and Nat Geo Wild are episodes of Netflix Show, Kissing Booth and SABC, with several episodes of the TV show filmed here. The annual UGU International Film Festival (UGUIFF), hosted by the Zindela Pictures Group, attracts local and international stakeholders from the film industry and develops the sector to attract investors to the region.
8. Subtropical climate
Filmmakers know the cost of delayed production due to bad weather. Luckily, the KZN South Coast boasts a subtropical climate all year round, with sunny days than those that don't, allowing for uninterrupted shooting to keep features on budget. Especially in winter, the less rainfall there is, the more milder it is.
9. Ease of business
SCTIE has partnered with Kwazulu-Natal (Tikzn) in trade and investment to establish the UGU One Stop Shop (OSS) to remove barriers to regional investment, paving the way for the film industry to grow. The OSS provides investors with assistance in terms of funding, permitting and other necessary processes, working with key entities to ensure cooperation with the government and smooth operation. It also serves as a bridge between external investors and local industries to lift potential investments and drive investments.
10. Accessibility
The KZN South Coast is very well located for access along National Highway n2. From Scottburg, Durban is just a 30-minute drive from Shaka International Airport, 45-minute drive away, and the upgraded Margate Airport is easy to access. Recent improvements to the road network starting with the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project connecting KZN to the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga. Once completed, travel time is expected to be dramatically reduced by 1.5-3 hours due to shorter routes and more flatter alignment.
Now is the time: visit, invest, thrive on the KZN South Coast!
With sardine fever here, don't miss out on seeing the biggest shallow waters on the planet! Visit the KZN South Coast website at www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za. Following on to sightseeing on the South Coast on Facebook. A YouTube South Coast Tourism and Investment Company. @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; South Coast tourism and investment company on LinkedIn. Click here to check out our previous SCTIE press releases. Find out why the KZN South Coast is a top tourist destination here.
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