The film industry of South Africa refers to the films and film industry of the nation of South Africa. Although few local productions are known outside South Africa itself, many foreign films have been produced about South Africa (usually involving race relations). One exception was the film The Gods Must Be Crazy in 1980, set in the Kalahari. Leon Schuster's You Must Be Joking! films are in the same genre, and hugely popular among South Africans. Arguably, the most high-profile film portraying South Africa in recent years was District 9.
The first film studio in South Africa, Killarney Film Studios, was established in 1915 in Johannesburg. During the 1910s and 1920s, many South African films were made in or around Durban. These films often made use of the dramatic scenery available in rural KwaZulu-Natal, particularly the Drakensberg region. KwaZulu-Natal was also served as the appropriate location for historical films. Sarie Marais, the first Afrikaans-language sound film, was released in 1931. Subsequent sound releases such as Die Wildsboudjie (1948), a 1949 Sarie Marais remake, and Daar doer in die bosveld (1950) continued to cater primarily to white, Afrikaans-speaking audiences.
The 1950s saw an increased use of South African locations and talent by international filmmakers. British co-productions like Coast of Skeletons (1956) and American co-productions like The Cape Town Affair (1957) reflected the a growing trend of shooting in real locations, rather than using backlots.
Best International Feature Film Wins[]
- 78th Academy Awards, 2005
- Tsotsi — Gavin Hood
Best International Feature Film Nominations[]
- 78th Academy Awards, 2005
- Tsotsi — Gavin Hood