Students in the Film and TV Department in the Wits School of Arts are to benefit from a Netflix Creative Equity grant from the global streaming entertainment service.
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The Netflix grant will be used to develop creative digital infrastructure in the department at Wits University and will provide students with state-of-the-art equipment in their learning and content-creation journey. This grant will advance the university’s mission to train industry-ready graduates with access to contemporary industry equipment, and Netflix’s goal to advance equity for emerging film and TV creatives.
Described as being a leader in the global south, the university is training the next generations of creatives from the continent to produce and narrate authentic African stories. Over the past 15 years, the department has grown to be a formidable player that is rated among the best in the world. Wits film and TV students are already said to be trail blazers in the industry; a Wits student film was recently accepted and will be screened at this year’s Durban Film Festival and will compete for the prestigious Cilect Award. Wits students also won the best student film award at the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas).
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“These accolades are testament to the potential of our department and students,” said Dr Yolo Koba, head of the film and television department. He said this grant and the equipment will assist them in their commitment of digitalisation and training future creatives and industry leaders with critical and innovative skills.
Allison Triegaardt, manager of content for Africa at Netflix, said they are incredibly proud and happy to extend their partnership with the Wits Film and TV Department by introducing this initiative aimed at nurturing and strengthening the pipeline of the South African film and TV industry.
“At Netflix, we not only invest in growing the production of local films and series, but we also want to continue our contribution to growing the ecosystem by investing in programmes that increase equitable access to training for the next generation of storytellers,” said Triegaardt.
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