Experience

Martin Cuff is an economic development specialist with a unique focus on the film & media sectors. His career has been dedicated to understanding how film sectors function, the pressures and trends that influence their successes or failures, and the role of governments in providing dedicated services and programs that support its growth. He is internationally recognized as an authority on Film Commissions and Film Offices, and on government interactions with the film sector. He has provided support to governments at national, state, provincial and city levels, and is the only professional globally to have set up Film Commissions on three different continents. He is also the only foreigner ever hired into the USA as a Film Commissioner.

International experience includes:

  • USAID’s SERBIA COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAM – Film & Tourism Consultant
  • SERBIA FILM COMMISSION – Film Commission establishment, Incentives, Film-friendliness Program
  • GEORGIAN NATIONAL FILM CENTER – Film Commission establishment and Film Incentive Development
  • TURKEY REGIONAL FILM COMMISSIONS ESTABLISHMENT – establishment of 3 regional Film Commissions
  • ARTECA CITY MEDIA CITY, ROMANIA – Feasibility Study & etablishment
  • COLORADO FILM COMMISSION – Executive Director, Film Commission Establishment & Incentive Development
  • KENYA FILM COMMISSION – Development Support
  • ASSOCIATION OF FILM COMMISSIONERS INTERNATIONAL – Official Film Commission Training Manual – Workforce Development
  • ASSOCIATION OF FILM COMMISSIONERS INTERNATIONAL – Official Film Commission Training Manual – Building a Film Incentive
  • ASSOCIATION OF FILM COMMISSIONERS INTERNATIONAL – Presenter of “Film Commissioner as Economic Developer” at AFCI Cineposium 2007

Martin is a member of the AFCI’s Professional Development Committee – the team that determines standards for Film Commissioners globally – and regularly participates in AFCI educational and information forums.

His regional experience includes:

  • SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF STILLS PRODUCERS – Association Manager
  • V&A WATERFRONT – Film Sector Development Strategy
  • ZULULAND FILM OFFICE – Strategic Consultant
  • EASTERN CAPE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION – Film Sector Strategy
  • NELSON MANDELA BAY DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Film Feasibility Study, Film Office Establishment
  • DURBAN FILM OFFICE – Film Sector Review & Strategy, Film Office Business Plan
  • KZN FILM COMMISSION – Film Commission Establishment
  • GAUTENG FILM COMMISSION – Film Permit Review
  • AMATHOLE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY – Film Development Strategy
  • MIRAGE LEISURE GROUP – Durban Film Studio Feasibility Assessment
  • SOUTH AFRICAN SCREEN FEDERATION – Strategic Planning
  • BUFFALO CITY MUNICIPALITY – Economic Development Plan
  • WESGRO Western Cape Development Agency – City of Cape Town Business Constraints – Film Sector review
  • CAPE FILM COMMISSION – Acting Executive Director
  • SOUTHERN AFRICAN FILM & TELEVISION MARKET – Chief Operations Officer
  • CAPE TOWN FILM PERMIT OFFICE – Acting Manager

Martin fully understands destination marketing and has planned and executed outbound missions of film professionals to various international expos and festivals including Cannes Film Festival (France), MIPCOM/TV (France), FESPACO (Burkina Faso) and AFCI Locations Trade Show (Los Angeles). He also managed South African delegations to the Indian International Film Convention in Mumbai (2003 and 2004). He has further participated in numerous panels and presentations on the film sector, from Sarajevo to London to Los Angeles to the Australian Gold Coast.

Martin was the first and only African representative elected to the Board of the Association of Film Commissioners International and has been involved in several film sector bodies, including:

  • ASSOCIATION OF FILM COMMISSIONERS INTERNATIONAL – Director
  • SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF STILLS PRODUCERS – Chairman
  • SOUTH AFRICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC RENTAL ASSOCIATION
  • NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MODEL AGENCIES – Chairman
  • SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF STILLS PHOTOGRAPHERS – Chairman
  • INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS ORGANISATION – National Executive Council Member
  • SOUTHERN AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL FILM & TV MARKET – Director

With broad experience of the drivers and constraints of film sector development, and undertaking constant research the film industry marketplace, Martin Cuff is armed with a vast array of projects and programs that can be applied to any city, region or country – harnessing film sector activity locally, and generating maximum economic benefits for the destination.