Yesterday, at Cannes, South Africa’s National Film and Video Foundation’s and the Kenya Film Commission signed what they’re calling a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The MOU’s purpose is to afford filmmakers from both countries an opportunity to access facilities, promote filmmakers from both countries, encouraging skills transfer, conducting business together, with the all-around goal being to work collectively to tell African stories by Africans, in order to help better position the continent on the global film stage.

National Film and Video Foundation’s CEO Zama Mkosi said: “As African countries we are steadily earning a place on the global stage, and working together will guarantee joint development of content as well as marketing of both the countries’ films and talent.”

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Film Commission chief, Peter Muthie, added: “we are pleased as Kenya Film Commission and the whole of Kenya film industry to be commencing this partnership with South Africa. This is the beginning of a strong relationship that will ensure that we tell authentic African stories. We are also celebrating our first official participation in Cannes and already, opportunities are opening up for our filmmakers.”

Working together… All for the greater good…

The National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa is the official host of the South African presence at the Cannes International Film Festival this year. The SA Pavilion 120 is situated at the International Village and offers all South African filmmakers a business environment equipped with facilities to make it easy to conduct daily business.