Cape Town’s top film producers and industry specialists will be honoured at the second annual awards ceremony to showcase and recognise excellence in the local film industry.

The Imbongi Awards ceremony will be hosted by the Cape Film Commission (CFC) and the City of Cape Town on Saturday 6 March 2010 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

“Over the past nine years, Cape Town’s film industry has grown from an exotic, niche industry into a flourishing multi-billion rand industry attracting big budget features, commercials and stills production,” says Alderman Felicity Purchase, Mayoral Committee Member: Economic Development and Tourism.

“The phenomenal growth in this industry has injected millions of rands into the local economy, providing a tremendous return on the City’s ongoing investment in Cape Town’s infrastructure and positioning Cape Town and Western Cape as a globally competitive industry destination,” says Purchase.

“The prestigious Imbongi Awards will showcase the very best film production talent and facilities in Cape Town and the Western Cape,” says Mansoor Mohamed, Executive Director: Economic, Social Development and Tourism.

“As one of the biggest commercial and stills production destinations in the world, Cape Town and the Western Cape enjoy increasing attention from advertising agencies and big brands employing internationally experienced production crews with the facilities to back it all up. The Imbongi Awards builds upon Cape Town’s strong reputation for production craft by honouring individuals and companies for outstanding achievement in pre-production, production and post production,” says Mohamed.

Awards will be made in 10 categories including the Chairman’s award and the 2010 awards. The 10 categories are: Best contribution to marketing Cape Town and the Western Cape through film content, Technical Service Provider of the Year, Best Producer/Production Manager, Best Locations Professional, Excellence in Animation, Excellence in VFX and Post Production and Best contribution to Skills Development and Transformation.

“The film industry has been able to attract a significant amount of productions to Cape Town and the Western Cape which in turn contributed significantly to the growth of the film industry and the economy of the Western Cape. In addition these productions have further contributed to the marketing of Cape Town and the Western Cape as a desirable location and industry for film productions. The Imbongi Awards is thus our way of paying homage to those individuals and companies who have all contributed to this success,” says Laurence Mitchell, Head of the CFC.