The Eastern Cape is fast becoming one of South Africa’s most attractive film destinations, offering filmmakers settings that are both striking and versatile. In recent years, the province has hosted international blockbusters, award-winning short films and proudly South African productions that have brought its towns, reserves and natural scenery to global screens.
Among the biggest productions to arrive was Mission: Impossible, Dead Reckoning, which filmed dramatic sequences at Mkambati Nature Reserve on the Wild Coast. With its cliffs, waterfalls and ocean views, Mkambati provided a backdrop as gripping as the film’s action. The acclaimed short film The Last Ranger was shot at Amakhala Game Reserve, telling a powerful story of rhino conservation against the backdrop of wide-open savannahs. Its nomination at the Academy Awards highlighted both the story and the visual richness of the province.
Closer to the city, Glasshouse transformed a Victorian conservatory in Gqeberha into the setting for a sci-fi folk horror. On the shoreline, The Perfect Wave made use of Cape St. Francis, with its waves and the iconic Seal Point Lighthouse offering a true surfer’s atmosphere.
Local productions have also thrived. The Queenstown Kings, filmed in Queenstown and surrounding townships, captured the energy of local communities and football culture. In Keiskammahoek, emerging filmmakers have used the area’s character to bring authentic rural stories to the screen. These projects are strengthening the industry from the ground up by employing local talent and telling homegrown stories.
What sets the Eastern Cape apart is its range of filming options and the support the industry is receiving. From reserves and historic towns to small communities and coastal villages, the province offers filmmakers both scale and character. With ongoing investment and an increasing number of productions choosing the area, the Eastern Cape is stepping firmly into the spotlight as South Africa’s rising film destination.
