Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has dissolved the Council of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), citing governance and legal compliance concerns.
McKenzie announced the decision on 23 September 2026, in terms of the National Film and Video Foundation Act.
The dispute dates back to 7 July, when the Minister raised concerns about the Council’s appointment of one of its members as Acting Chief Executive Officer.
McKenzie said the Council was given two lawful alternatives but did not adopt either. He subsequently issued a notice of intention to dissolve the Council on 14 September and considered its written response before making the final decision.
In its response, the Council acknowledged that the appointment of an Acting CEO from outside the Foundation was not permitted under the Act and that the arrangement was unlawful.
“A Council that knows what the law requires and proceeds anyway has not made a technical error, but a choice,” said McKenzie.
The Minister said the recent resignation of the Council chairperson and the handling of the former Acting CEO’s suspension also contributed to his decision.
He stressed that the dissolution was an institutional accountability measure and not a finding of dishonesty against individual Council members.
Despite the dissolution, McKenzie said approved funding, including the current PESP6 Blockbuster cycle, would continue to be processed to prevent disruptions to filmmakers, production companies, cast and crew.
The Foundation’s CEO will assume the responsibilities of accounting authority under the Public Finance Management Act until a new Council is appointed.
An independent investigation into whistleblower allegations will also continue, while the process of appointing a new Council has begun.
“I am acutely aware of what happened the last time this Council was dissolved, when funding approvals stalled for three months,” McKenzie said.
“That is exactly why we shall move quickly to appoint a new Council, and to ensure that processing continues in the legal manner.”
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