The City of Cape Town has approved a lease agreement for part of a city-owned property in Paardevlei, Somerset West, paving the way for the development of a R900 million (€47.2 million) film studio. The project, led by Cape Point Film Studios (CPFS), is set to strengthen Cape Town’s creative economy by attracting local and international productions, creating jobs and fostering innovation.

The agreement was finalised following a recent site visit by James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.

CPFS plans to repurpose existing buildings on the site into a film studio facility that meets international standards. Once operational, the studio will include a specialised sea and underwater sound stage production precinct, further enhancing Cape Town’s appeal as a filming destination.

Economic impact

The lease is expected to drive significant economic benefits with projections indicating the creation of hundreds of jobs and an injection of nearly R1 billion (€52.4 million) into the local economy. According to the South African Cultural Observatory’s 2022 mapping study, the cultural and creative industries contributed R161 billion (€8.4 billion) to national GDP in 2020. This development aligns with ongoing efforts to bolster Cape Town’s reputation as a global creative hub.

Henry F Herring, Director of CPFS, emphasised the importance of strategic interventions in the rapidly growing content and film-making industry. “World-class sound stages not only support filmmakers in telling their stories but also contribute significantly to the sustainable growth of the sector and its broader value chain.”

Vos highlighted the transformative potential of the project. “This lease will catalyse the growth of Cape Town’s creative economy, generate substantial economic benefits and enhance tourism. It will further solidify our city’s position as a leading destination for local and international productions.”