Heritage

Cinema in Gauteng

Cinema has enjoyed a strong presence in Gauteng since 1896, when it was first introduced as "the most startling scientific marvel of the age" - animated photography. 

Between 1916 and 1919 Gauteng was home to a flourishing local production industry, but by the 1920s the popularity of American films had overwhelmed the fledgling industry.

During the 1920s and 30s films were a popular source of entertainment. Read more...

'Jozi' and the movies - a history

By Andrew Worsdale  (September 2007)

Johannesburg is only seven years younger than the movies. Gold was discovered on the reef in 1886 and within a decade the area changed from tent town to wood and iron shacks, then in a flash to bricks and mortar.

Across the world in New Jersey, Thomas Edison constructed the Black Maria in 1893 the world's first ever film production studio. Three years later the Edison Vitascope unveiled a program of 12 short film subjects, including "The Edison Kinetoscope Record of a Sneeze", as supporting entertainment at a New York Music Hall.  Read more...