Foreign Film & Television Production and Post-Production Incentive (FFTPPPPI)
The Foreign Film & Television Production and Post-Production Incentive (FFTPPPPI) aims to attract large-budget international film and television productions to South Africa. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition administers this programme to stimulate employment, enhance South Africa’s global profile and strengthen local creative and technical skills.
Production and Post-Production Benefits
Producers who shoot on location in South Africa can claim 25% of Qualifying South African Production Expenditure (QSAPE). The programme caps this incentive at R50 million per project.
Producers can also qualify for an additional 5% of QSAPE if they conduct both production and post-production in South Africa and use the services of a black-owned service company. This structure encourages deeper local participation and industry transformation.
Post-Production Benefits
Producers who conduct post-production in South Africa can claim 20% of Qualifying South African Post-Production Expenditure (QSAPPE).
If a production spends at least R10 million of its post-production budget locally, it can claim an additional 2.5% of QSAPPE. This increases the cumulative rebate to 22.5%.
Foreign productions that incur QSAPPE of R15 million or more can qualify for a 25% rebate on post-production expenditure. These benefits position South Africa as a competitive destination for high-value international post-production work.
Eligibility Requirements for Production
Applicants must meet minimum expenditure thresholds. Productions must incur at least R15 million in QSAPE across all qualifying formats. However, service companies with Level 1 B-BBEE contributor status may qualify with a minimum QSAPE of R12 million.
Productions must film at least 21 calendar days in South Africa and complete 50% of principal photography locally. The dtic may waive this requirement for productions with QSAPE of R100 million or more.
Eligibility Requirements for Post-Production
Applicants must incur at least R1.5 million in QSAPPE for qualifying post-production activities. Productions must conduct post-production in South Africa for a minimum of 14 calendar days. However, if the production completes 100% of its post-production locally, the dtic may waive the 14-day requirement.
Applicants must secure at least 80% of the total production budget before submitting a claim. In addition, the holding company must achieve at least Level 3 B-BBEE contributor status. The Special Purpose Corporate Vehicle (SPCV) must achieve at least Level 4 status in terms of the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice.
General Conditions FOR Foreign Film & Television Production
Applicants must procure at least 20% of qualifying goods and services from entities that are 51% black-owned by South African citizens and have operated for at least one year.
Applicants may submit an application no earlier than 45 days before principal photography begins. They must also comply with an industry-specific Code of Professional Standards that addresses sexual harassment policies and health and safety protocols.
Importantly, producers may not begin principal photography until they receive formal approval from the dtic.
Professional Assistance
The Foreign Film & Television Production and Post-Production Incentive offers significant financial benefits to qualifying international productions. However, applicants must meet strict financial, operational and transformation requirements.
Contact us for professional guidance and financial assistance with applying for the Foreign Film & Television Production and Post-Production Incentive.