Emerging film makers – call for proposals

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) are inviting emerging black filmmakers to submit proposals for consideration under the Emerging Black Filmmakers Transformation Fund (EBFTF).

Black directors who have released fewer than five feature films are eligible to apply.

Launched in 2014, the EBFTF provides financial, marketing and other related support to emerging black filmmakers.

The fund aims to create a sustainable South African film industry and to help ensure that filmmakers and producers have the means to produce compelling content for South African consumption.

Funding will be limited to six qualifying and viable feature films per year over three years.

Here are the proposal criteria:

Budget capped at R5,2 million (excluding marketing and company statutory costs).
Director and producer must be black South African citizens.
The films must be commercially viable.
The films must demonstrate economic and creative merit.
Films must be at the level of theatrical release.
Scripts must be at second draft.
Cast must be South African.
Compliance with the DTI South African Emerging Black Filmmakers Incentive (go to www.thedti.gov.za to find out more)
Rights (all including film, merchandise etc):

o Emerging black producer and black director – both emerging producer and director must collectively own at least 75% of the film rights;
o Where the producer is black, but not emerging (ie >5 feature films) – then the black director must own at least 50% of the film rights;
o Where the producer is not black – then the black director must own at least 75% of the film rights; and

§ And a young black producer must be mentored.

For more on these and the rest of criteria as well as on the NFVF in general, go to www.nfvf.co.za. Email proposals (and all queries) to production@nfvf.co.za. Applications will close on Friday 08 January 2016.