Gathered at the Durban ICC are: Sakhile Gumede, who serves as the director of the Durban International Film Festival; King David Mukwevho, series producer for Stained Glass; Pinky Radebe representing KZN Tourism and Film; film fixer Nerusha Maharja Sadapal; filmmaker and hospitality executive Chris Q Radebe; and Richard Horlock.
Image: Supplied
KwaZulu-Natal’s growing reputation as a film destination came under the spotlight at Africa's Travel Indaba 2026, where industry leaders explored how film and television productions can drive tourism, investment and economic growth in the province.
The discussion, titled “Filming the Future: Driving Tourism, Distribution and Community Growth through Storytelling”, was held at the Durban International Convention Centre and brought together voices from film, television, hospitality and tourism.
The panel explored how storytelling and screen productions can position KwaZulu-Natal as a globally competitive tourism and film destination while supporting local communities and attracting international audiences.
Pinky Radebe, the head of PR and communications at the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, who also served as the session's facilitator, noted that the province is putting more emphasis on the film industry as a significant contributor to both the economy and the creative arts.
“When audiences connect with stories filmed in KwaZulu-Natal, they are also connecting with the province as a destination. That is why the relationship between tourism and film is becoming increasingly important for investment, destination marketing and local economic growth,” she said.
Introduced in November 2025, South Africa's new Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme (STAGES) is being hailed as a significant advancement for the sector.
The digital visa initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Home Affairs, fast-tracks visa applications for accredited international production companies to help attract global productions to the country.
David King Dave Mukwevho, head of productions at Stained Glass TV, said KwaZulu-Natal’s rich culture and history made it a natural setting for powerful storytelling.
“KZN is such a colourful province, and Durban is even more colourful. When we are here in Durban, in KZN, we are standing on the shoulders of giants,” he said.
“When we talk of Durban, it’s not only about Shaka Zulu. There’s a lot more. We’ve got people like Dorothy Nyembe, Princess Magogo, Moses Mabhida and Chief Albert Luthuli. When we talk of locations in the city, there are plenty of places to choose from.”
Screenwriter, actor and producer Chris Q. Radebe explained that while his productions are often filmed in Johannesburg due to budget constraints, he still incorporates KwaZulu-Natal into his projects through establishing shots captured in the province.
“What I will do is send someone who is based in KZN to take beautiful establishing shots of the area, and then I incorporate those into the film, and it looks like it was shot in KZN,” he said.
Hospitality leader Richard Horlick stressed the need for stronger collaboration between filmmakers, tourism operators and hospitality providers.
“Tourism and film have to be adapted to each other. They have to understand how hospitality and film work together,” he said.
“Educate the tourism sector to film and the location organisers to the film sector, and the hospitality sector to all these components.”
Horlick added that KwaZulu-Natal’s proximity to beaches, mountains, wildlife reserves and urban locations gave the province a unique competitive advantage for productions.
Durban International Film Festival director Sakhile Gumede highlighted the importance of film festivals in showcasing local stories and attracting global audiences.
“We use film festivals strategically because the Durban International Film Festival remains the longest-running film festival in the country,” he said.
Gumede added that every July, filmmakers, producers and creatives gather in KwaZulu-Natal, creating opportunities for industry networking while showcasing the province to local and international audiences.
“There was a hunger for KZN stories,” he said, reflecting on engagements with students and filmmakers during a visit to São Paulo, Brazil.