South Africa is fast becoming a sought-after film destination, offering production crews incredible scenery, a great climate, and affordability.
With the Western Cape being the first choice for many in the industry, KwaZulu-Natal’s many assets are positioning the province as an attractive destination-with the KZN South Coast a prime location.
According to Statista, in South Africa, the revenue in the cinema market is projected to reach US$182.53m in 2025.
Revenue is expected to exhibit an annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 4.52%, leading to a projected market volume of US$217.85m by 2029. Within the cinema market in South Africa, the number of viewers is expected to reach 6.2m users by 2029.
User penetration will be 9.1% in 2025 and is anticipated to increase to 9.6% by 2029.
CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, indicated that the KZN South Coast presents many opportunities for investors, and that this incredible investment boost shows the country's potential to become a global hub for film production.
“By attracting the film industry here, we’re fulfilling our mandate of securing investment while showcasing the region’s incredible tourism assets to the world,” Sibiya said.
Amongst the film industry attractions, SCTIE lists its accommodation facilities ranging from top-end resorts and hotels to bed and breakfasts, self-catering units, and award-winning seaside campsites.
It said that regardless of the budget, there is ample space to host film crews on site, with hospitality providers going the extra mile to ensure comfort, convenience, and support.
Meanwhile, RE/MAX Wildlife Properties said a quiet buzz has swept across the bushveld, with Hollywood having officially found a new home in Hoedspruit.
This was with the recent arrival of international film crews, including global superstar Chris Pratt, filming scenes for the upcoming season of the Amazon Prime Video series "The Terminal List".
It said this saw Hoedspruit’s name quickly becoming synonymous with blockbuster productions and star-studded visits.
Annie van den Berg, broker/owner of RE/MAX Wildlife Properties, said it was not a secret, but they were asked not to share the exact location while filming is still underway.
“But yes, they’re here—and it’s not the first time film crews have graced our landscapes…” said Van den Berg in a press release.
Hoedspruit has already hosted a growing list of international productions, including "I Am a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!" (an Australian reality TV show), "The German Bachelor", "Holiday in the Wild", featuring Rob Louw, "Mission: Impossible 8", starring Tom Cruise, the acclaimed short film "Cry My Beloved Country" (2023), and the documentary "Secret Creatures" (2024).
According to her, these film crews and celebrities were not just flying in and out but were living in Hoedspruit for the duration of production.
“We handle the accommodation side, including the rentals for housing the crew, chefs, stars, and support staff, while the filming takes place out in the bush or on custom-built sets.”
The Limpopo-based real estate agency said though film crews receive discounted rates, the rentals still fetch higher than average returns due to short-term, per-person nightly billing.
“Romano Pieterse from our office had a record-earning month thanks to managing these high-profile rentals,” Van den Berg said.
Over and above the short-term economic boost, the exposure from these productions is driving lasting benefits for the local property market.
Hoedspruit is quickly becoming a top destination for real estate investment, in addition to tourism, according to Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.
“The consistent presence of international film crews elevates the town’s profile, showcasing its natural beauty to a global audience. This kind of spotlight often leads to increased demand for both short-term rentals and long-term property ownership,” Goslett said.
Van den Berg said it is not just investors taking notice, as many A-list visitors are extending their stays post-shoot, inviting family to experience the magic of an African safari.
“More and more celebrities are making Hoedspruit one of their preferred global destinations. And when they leave, they take the magic of this place with them-often recommending it to others.”
The SCTIE said that other reasons film producers, both foreign and domestic, are choosing to create television shows, documentaries, and feature films on the KZN South Coast included the region’s sardine run, great aquatic locations, diverse landscape, wildlife experiences, cultural and heritage sites, subtropical climate, ease of doing business and accessibility.
Sibiya said alongside the many documentaries featuring the world-famous Sardine Run, the KZN South Coast has provided settings for many epic films and television shows.
He said Discovery, National Geographic, and Nat Geo Wild are some of the global companies that have visited the region, with episodes of Netflix's "The Kissing Booth" and SABC’s "The Longest Date" being some of the television shows filmed in the region.
The annual Ugu International Film Festival (UGUIFF), organised by Zindela Pictures Group, also attracts local and international stakeholders from the film industry, and is developing this sector to attract investors to the region.
Independent Media Property