Johannesburg — GAUTENG had become the leader in the local audiovisual industry, beating its main competitor, Western Cape, as it achieved revenue of R1,1bn last year, a Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) study revealed yesterday.

The study showed that about 70% of SA's TV productions were set and produced in Gauteng, and generated more than R700m last year. A n estimated 44% of all local commercials were shot in the province.

Gauteng was also increasingly being used as a base for the facilitation and provision of logistical and technical services for foreign productions.

"With an economic contribution in excess of R2bn per annum, the research shows that Gauteng is indeed at the creative heart of the South African film industry," GFC CEO Terry Tselane said.

The GFC study said the province was the number one choice location in the industry because it was the economic hub of SA, had a good business environment and public infrastructure, and also an increased tourism profile.

Filmmakers also preferred Gauteng because the province was home to the SABC headquarters, MultiChoice and e.tv studios. That infrastructure could be used in the making of films.

Although the industry was doing well compared to other provinces, industry players complained about lack of transformation, infrastructure, skills development, funding and incentives.

A number of filmmakers and other stakeholders gathered at the Gauteng Film Indaba yesterday to discuss these challenges and come up with solutions.

Seipati Bulane -Hopa, secretary-general of the Pan African Federation of Filmmakers, said a film fund had to be established to support film projects and train and develop new talent.

Local actor and producer Akin Amotoso said that the biggest challenge the local film industry was facing was creating a sustainable industry.

He said the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) was successful because it had an audience, but South Africans did not watch local films..

Tselane told delegates that the commission had received R18m from the provincial government and that money would be used to promote Gauteng "as a film destination".