Law & Order to start filming in Cape Town !

The Cape Film Commission (CFC) has announced that a major television series, Law & Order Cape Town, will start filming in Cape Town in the coming year. It will be shot on location and will follow the same theme as its American and British counterparts.

CFC CEO Denis Lillie recently met with producers from Africa HD James Makawa (CEO) and Kenny Christmas (COO), who are putting together the series.

“Africa HD has secured the format rights to a South African franchise of Law and Order. They intend to start filming the first 12 part series in May of 2012. The series will be entirely based in Cape Town and will feature a South African cast. In addition, the majority of the crew will be sourced locally. To facilitate this, the producers have partnered with local production company DO Productions. The Cape Film Commission has promised to give them hands-on assistance with securing locations, permits and any other aspects to do with filming that they will require,” said Lillie.

According to the CFC the series will feature Cape Town street scenes and therefore presents a rare opportunity to showcase the City to watchers around the world: “With its wide audience base, this show will tap directly into the homes of potential tourists. In addition to tourism revenue, each of the twelve episodes will generate around R3m for the local economy, and create much needed jobs in the film industry. The road closures and minor inconveniences associated with the shoot will be offset multiple times by the gains that the region will incur,” he emphasised.

There is also the prospect of spin-off business from this new venture. Africa HD is planning a new global satellite and cable channel which will be dedicated to African content in high definition.

The Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town, which both fund the Cape Film Commission and view the sector as an important catalyst for economic growth, have given their full support to the project.

Western Cape Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde, said: “This is a major coup for our region which will create jobs for the local film industry, and give a much needed boost to the region’s economy. We wish the producers all the best, and commit to partner with the CFC in giving them full support with anything that they may need.”

City Councillor for Economic Development, Alderman Belinda Walker, said the City would do its part to assist the Cape Film Commission and the Producers to ensure that the permitting process runs as smoothly as possible.

Tourism, Events and Marketing Councillor, Alderman Grant Pascoe, added: “The City of Cape Town is fully behind this project, and we will ensure that the producers experience Cape Town as the film friendly city that it is. The decision to film this series here in Cape Town will strengthen Cape Town’s brand both as a tourist- and film destination.”