Limpopo Film Hub pushes local talent with ‘The Bad Bishop’ screening

POLOKWANE – The Made in Limpopo Film Hub is proving that Limpopo holds untapped potential for excellence in the film industry.

This was showcased on April 12 with the screening of ‘The Bad Bishop’, a R9.5m film shot in Thohoyandou, at the Library Gardens Auditorium.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the production created over 200 jobs during filming.

The screening event reinforced the hub’s commitment to nurturing local talent and building a sustainable film industry within the province.

The day also featured a panel discussion under the theme ‘Leveraging Film as a Marketing Tool for Local Businesses’.

Given that many investors in the film were local entrepreneurs, the conversation focused on how film can serve as an effective and cost-efficient marketing platform with broad audience reach, compared to traditional advertising.

Producer Vuyani Bila said the team was offered a R2m incentive from the Durban Film Commission to shoot the movie in Durban.

“We collectively decided to bring it home and invest in the province. We’re still unsure if it was the right decision because we faced major production challenges due to a lack of support from the provincial department.”

Kgathane Veronica Mokgonyana, the chief director for cultural affairs in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, responded by affirming the importance of seeing local stories on screen.

She pledged departmental support for a district-wide tour of the film to help it reach more viewers and further its impact.

The director of the Made in Limpopo Film Hub stressed the need for the industry to be taken seriously.

“We want our work to speak for itself. It’s high time that this sector receives proper recognition. Our goal is to guide the department by bringing in high-level filmmakers who can elevate Limpopo’s stories and talent.”