While South Africa has long had a bubbling entertainment industry, in recent years, the widespread access to the internet and, especially, the mobile internet has opened most of the nation up to international productions. Many of the biggest products would always make their way to the Rainbow Nation, but never to this scale.
Now, with major platforms finding too much competition in their primary Western markets, they’re expanding to South Africa, among other countries. They bring with them all of the world-class and much lesser productions, continuing the trend of international entertainment making its way here. Yet, there’s also an increasing demand for South Africa to export its own creations, as shown by festivals held around the world.
Guaranteed stop for the biggest creations
As studios seek to scale up their international box office revenues when venturing beyond the borders of the US and Canada, South Africa is regularly seen as a viable destination. In 2023 alone, the ZA Box Office yielded $4.8 million for Avatar: The Way of Water, $2 million for Fast X, and $16 million for John Wick: Chapter 4, with each of those movies being shown at 130 or more theaters.
Still, these may be somewhat muted numbers as sometimes streaming platforms will now buy international rights to new movie releases. It’s online where a lot of international entertainment products are now enjoyed by South Africans, which makes gauging a true consumption figure difficult. If anywhere can indicate the relative success of online entertainment industries, though, it’s the iGaming platforms.
Like the localized versions of streaming platforms, the South Africa online casino has adapted its approach to appeal to its country while also infusing the most popular products from other markets. It’s why there are the 35 free spins and 150 percent bonus for ZA players alongside hits like Asgard, Lucha Libre 2, Panda Magic, and Cleopatra’s Gold Jackpot. So, it appeals to the local preference for a two-part bonus while also boasting top games from overseas.
Film festivals connecting the world to South Africa
A globe-trotting cinephile wouldn’t have been hard-pressed to find an African or even a specific South African film festival around the world this year. Given that the diaspora numbers over 900,000 with a strong presence in the UK, US, Australia, UAE, New Zealand, and Canada, it makes sense that these cultural events would pop up and go strong in these major entertainment markets.
Over in Chicago, Illinois, the Chicago African Diaspora International Film Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, which featured Blind Eye from ZA moviemaker Mengameli Nhlabathi. Staying in the United States, the 30th anniversary of the NY African Film Festival featured four filmmakers from South Africa (Evan Wigdorowitz, Nolitha Mkulisi, Julie Nxasi, Mzonke Maloney) and their creations as the centerpiece of the event.
Outside of the United States, another very popular country for South African expats, Canada, continues to showcase the Rainbow Nation’s creative works in film. Best of all, you could tune into the South African Film Festival Canada via streaming if you paid the ticket price in November 2022. On the other side of the world, in Australia, the South African Film Festival made its return to Sydney earlier this year, showcasing 25 flicks.
South Africa revels in imported entertainment, but it’s clear that there’s also a desire to showcase South African creations around the world too.