Why would an insurance company sponsor a film festival?

Chubb Insurance South Africa is one of the major sponsors of the upcoming Jozi Film Festival. Here’s the thinking behind the sponsorship:

“Insurance is a fundamentally important part of the film-making process,” says Chubb’s Gena Jalink. “Insurance is a service that touches every single aspect of life, including filmmaking. Think about all the expensive camera equipment, the risk of damaged kit ruining a day’s shoot, a major star becoming incapacitated, or a law suit for accidental copyright infringement. These can all set a production back quite substantially on the financial front.”

Chubb has been insuring movie-making around the world for more than 30 years.

“We have a massive footprint in Europe, North America and Australia and have been involved in many types of commercial film production, from blockbuster movies and TV shows to commercials and corporate videos.”

Chubb South Africa has been involved in the local film insurance market since February 2018.

“The South African film industry is very active and is growing,” says filmmaker Lisa Henry, who co-founded and organises the Jozi Film Festival. “There are hundreds – if not thousands – of local films, TV shows and commercials produced here each year.

“In addition, South Africa is growing in popularity as a destination for international film production, thanks to the diversity we offer in terms of locations and the relatively cheap overheads available to production companies – in part due to the value of the rand.”

This is good news for the local industry and for peripheral service providers such as Chubb.

“We have definitely seen an increase in locally made productions,” says Jalink.

“Festivals such as the JFF make an ideal platform for amateur and professional, experienced and inexperienced filmmakers to have their work seen by a discerning audience.

“We look forward to this year’s event and the entertainment and networking opportunities it will provide to all who attend.”

Says Lisa, “A big shout out to all the sponsors, without whom the festival would not be able to take place. Thanks to Chubb Insurance, Business and Arts South Africa, EasyEquities, Discovery Real Time, Africa Magic Channel, Left Hand Films, Mushroom Media, Lemon Sawdust, The Bioscope and CN&CO.”

The 2019 Jozi Film Festival takes place at various venues around Joburg from 3 to 6 October 2019. Tickets are on sale now. Visit www.jozifilmfestival.co.za for the schedule and booking details.

(The image above is a still taken during the filming of Our Oceans: A Journey of Discovery, which will be screened at the Delta Park Environmental Centre theatre on Saturday, 5 October at 7pm. You can book tickets for this locally made, feature-length documentary here.)

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