Film undoubtedly plays a significant role in destination marketing and tourism. With both industries contributing greatly to the Cape’s economy, the Cape Tourism Showcase 2006 offered an opportunity to find synergies and sharing of information for the Cape Film Commission with tourism-related business.

Held from the 15 to 17 September 2006 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the CFC was invited by Tourism Cape Town to create a platform and information distribution point for businesses to find out exactly what film does for them. The Cape Film Commission was offered three such points. An exhibition stand, A “Soapbox” for film-related forums and a screening venue for film content “showcasing” the Western Cape.

Despite a relatively low attendance by the public and non-exhibiting tourism businesses, the CFC did have a strong presence. The allocated stand was offered to location companies who deal with property and locations hire for film shoots and other similar events. Not only did this offer a chance to showcase the diversity of Cape Town’s locations, but also informed visitors as to other areas of revenue through location and venue hire.

The “Soapbox” area provided exhibitors a platform for presentations and discussions around their business and tourism related issues. The CFC again had a relatively good turnout in comparison to other exhibitors with discussion from Unit Manager Robert Bentley talking to residents’ associations and other business affected by residential film shoots.

The discussion was not an attempt to paint pretty pictures around these shoots, but to help residents understand that production companies take every possible precaution to ensure that these shoots do not interfere with residents. Where they do, they are reminded that there is someone to talk to and that everything can be discussed in a diplomatic manner.

Also on this platform was Producer Justin Bonello presenting his uniquely young and adventurous cooking series “Cooked” and the kind of issues involved in producing such a travelling, cooking series.

The Cape Film Comission’s screening venue seemed to be a popular dining area and chill-out venue for many of the exhibitors with “Cooked” being a favourite. Other screenings included shorts films produced by local filmmakers featuring the beauty and diversity of the Cape’s natural surroundings. Urbanised localities like township life presented in uCarmen eKhayelitsha, a modern adaptation of Bizet’s famous opera “Carmen,” indirectly promotes such tours and also puts focus on the promotion such a feature has. The film which won the Berlin Festivals’ Golden Bear Award for Best Film in 2005 practically promotes South Africa and the Western Cape internationally as is the case with the number of other films and productions that have won praise globally.

The Showcase was a good attempt at two industries engaging one another on a one on one basis. It allowed a fair amount of information distribution as well as promotion of the film industry through the Cape Film Commission brand. The CFC is greatful for the opportunity offered by Tourism Cape Town, and look forward to an even bigger event and presence in future tourism related events.