Attorney-General and Minister for Communications Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (centre), with chairperson for Film Fiji Shaenaz Voss (fifth from right), Film Fiji chief executive officer Dallas Foon (second from right), with guests of Film Fiji in Suva.
Some people when they hear about Film Fiji they think it’s all about the glitz and glamour. But actually it’s not.
It’s more than that. Film Fiji takes enormous care and responsibility when marketing Fiji and ensures that all areas of the country get good coverage.
Film Fiji tells the world that Fiji is not just about beaches and the sea but that there is so much more in the country to explore, like rivers, jungles, mountains, waterfalls, historic towns, etc.
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It is a major contributor to the country’s economic growth and to providing new opportunities to locals to participate in.
Fiji is developing as a film industry centre and there is much more participation in the industry than previously – more people are being employed, more investment is being done and much more services are being offered to support the industry’s needs.
Film Fiji chief executive officer Dallas Foon said: “Film Fiji is tremendously fortunate and grateful for the very strong support from Government and the private sector in building the industry and taking it to new heights.
“But like everyone else, growth also has its challenges and Film Fiji is working with stakeholders to overcome these challenges and progress further.
“Thankfully, the challenges are being progressively overcome and progress continues at pace.
“Film Fiji has had significant success in marketing Fiji as a filmmaking destination.
“This has in turn led to strengthening multiple folds the Film Tourism segment,” he said.
The growth in film productions and more importantly, the quality and distribution of those productions to over a hundred countries around the world has greatly boosted Fiji’s profile in both the filmmaking destination space and the Film Tourism segment.
This success will continue to grow in 2018 with more productions showing keen interest to come to Fiji.
Productions have brought significant economic activity to Fiji which has greatly contributed to Gross Domestic Productivity.
About Film Fiji
Film Fiji is the Government statutory body responsible for the development and promotion of the audio visual industry in Fiji.
To achieve this Film Fiji undertakes training and development programmes for Fijians.
As well, Film Fiji actively promotes Fiji as a film making destination to international film makers.
Development
The key development programmes are the masterclasses conducted under the Film Fiji Academy banner and the development programme for high school students called the Kula Awards.
These programmes are specifically designed to develop skill and passion for the industry.
Film Fiji Academy
The programme brings expert international trainers to Fiji to train locals in various disciplines in the industry.
Film Fiji has a network of trainers from USA, Australia and New Zealand who provide specialised training in cinematography, directing, visual effects, sound, locations scouting and other skillset based courses.
The aim of this programme is build up Fiji’s local resources so we can reduce the need for foreign productions to import foreign crew.
The training also gives Fijians new opportunity for employment and a career path in the audio visual industry.
Kula Awards
This is the major development programme for high schools that runs over six months.
It is in its 13th year and is an approved Creative Arts programme by the Ministry of Education.
The Kula Awards gives high school students an opportunity to participate in three streams – film, dance and art.
Students are put through a training programme and then use their creativity to produce a short film or a dance routine or a piece of art, depending on which stream they participated in.
These are then entered into competition and judged by an expert panel. The best entries are awarded trophies and cash prizes at a gala awards event that goes over two nights.
The programme gives students an introduction and a stepping stone into the audio visual industry should they wish to pursue a career in this industry.
Promotion
Film Fiji actively promotes the Fiji’s film industry locally and abroad.
The major activities undertaken are through industry exhibitions in USA, India and China, advertising in various international mediums, face to face meetings with industry executives, and through extensive social media platforms.
Film Fiji uses its extensive locations galleries and sizzle reels to showcase the country to film makers around the world.
To further attract film makers, Film Fiji markets one of the world’s best incentives for film making which has proven successful in bringing many major foreign productions to Fiji.
Foreign productions bring large injections of foreign money into our economy in a very short period of time which:
- Generates employment
- Consumes local goods and services
- Upgrades local infrastructure
- Utilises beautiful locations
- Increases tax revenues
- Increases GDP
But ultimately, tourism is the biggest beneficiary through Film Tourism.
When films shot in Fiji are shown in cinemas and televisions around the world, they showcase Fiji’s locations and attract tourists who want to experience the beauty of the country – these are the fundamentals of Film Tourism.
Fiji would need to spend a significant amount of money to try to get the same exposure that a successful film can achieve for the country.
Films put Fiji in the spotlight around the world and Film Fiji is very mindful of this and takes special care when approving productions in the country.
It will not approve productions that do not portray the country in a positive manner and pays special attention to protecting its tourism industry and Fiji’s culture.
Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj
