Film director and production company owner Emelia Ditle has some creative ideas that are likely to boost the television industry in the province but a lack of funding and resources are some of the obstacles blocking her vision.
Ditle, 24, holds a bachelor’s degree in Arts and Motion Picture from the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (Afda). She has worked with various top production companies before and would like to share her knowledge and skills with youth in the province. Ditle recently engaged with Department of Sport, Arts and Culture acting Head, Daddy Phukuntsi to request funding but a supporting letter was the only thing the department was able to assist with for her to seek funding elsewhere. She stressed that the move by the department was a disgrace as one of its mandates was to assist upcoming artists and film directors with tools of trade and money.
She stated that there is a lot of talent in Limpopo but nothing can be done to unearth it if the department continues to shut doors in their faces when they request funds. Ditle claimed that many artists complain about the manner in which the department does things and this forces talented young people to seek employment and opportunities in other provinces.
“We cannot be absorbed by other provinces whereas we have a department that was mandated to help us grow as artists. I have seen a need for a well-established television production company in the heart of the city to serve as a platform for young people to tell their stories.
There is absolutely no such platform for media students to express and showcase their brilliant concepts.
All we need is R5 million to bring our ideas to reality. Any donation is welcomed because we don’t expect the department or any government entity to give us the total budget needed for the project. We have acquired office space but we need tools to start functioning,” Ditle explained.
She further explained that a production company starts operating on its own after a year, adding that she had submitted proposals to various entities and was hoping for the best. Ditle claimed that talent goes to waste due to the department’s alleged failure to meet artists halfway. She commended that she has thus far employed three people on a freelance basis, adding that she would employ more if she gets funding.
She went on to plead with various government departments, entities and potential sponsors to assist with funding as they only strive to better the lives of residents, elevate the province, create jobs and empower youth.
Phukuntsi indicated that the department was unable to give out such funding and reiterated that the supporting letter would assist Ditle in getting funding from other government institutions. He stated that the department was more involved in music fraternity than in film as he indicated that there haven’t been a programme of film they have been flying in Limpopo, adding that there is a lot that they would like to do in the sector of film but they don’t have resources readily available for such an exercise.
He concluded by saying the amount she is requesting was more than what has been budgeted for the development of artists in the province.
Story and photo: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
