Cape Town's multibillion-rand film industry "could shut down" if draconian bylaws limiting it are not changed. Over the past two years the industry and the city have discussed changes to the "overly restrictive conditions".And last week the city approved changes, which will now undergo a public participation process.The mayoral committee member for tourism, events and economic development, Garreth Bloor, said the growth in the film industry had led to the city "relooking at the way it regulates filming".But Rudi Riek, who represents the Commercial Producers Association and the SA Association of Stills Producers, said laws stipulating onerous conditions to filming on location were "a nightmare"."The fact that the planning department suggested a time-frame of up to 150 days to obtain permission for occasional use would in essence shut down our multibillion-rand industry," he said.One regulation stipulates that not more than 15 people are "engaged in the filming activity". Another rule dictates that filming is only allowed between 7am and 8pm on weekdays and between 8am and 1pm on weekends. These are set to change.Riek said the amendments were a step in the right direction but that it is a "very complex problem" requiring mutually beneficial solutions."In the end it is not only about the tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of businesses that our industry supports, it is about ensuring that we conduct our business in harmony with the community and in line with international best practice," he said.Despite Cape Town's "nanny state" reputation it is still a preferred filming destination outside of Hollywood, raking in approximately R5-billion for the economy annually.The city has favourable exchange rates, excellent film crews and weather and the film industry employs about 15000 people.Last year the city granted 437 permits for feature films and 553 for television series.Recently Bill Gerber, producer of Sean Penn's The Last Face, which was shot in South Africa, told the Hollywood Reporter that the local crew was "spectacular"...