Are you an aspiring filmmaker? Netflix wants to give you R1 million

Netflix keeps expanding in Africa and the streaming service is now searching for young filmmakers on the continent.

In partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) they have set up a innovative short-film competition on ‘African Folktales, Reimagined’ across Sub-Saharan Africa, the statement said.

Netflix is looking to discover new voices and give emerging filmmakers in sub-Saharan Africa visibility on a global scale.

“We want to find the bravest, wittiest, and most surprising retellings of some of Africa’s most-loved folktales and share them with entertainment fans around the world in over 190 countries,” they said.

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The competition is looking for six directors and each will get a $75,000 (R1.1 million) budget for the film and $25,000 (R377,000) for themselves.

How to enter Netflix and Unesco competition:

Applicants need to submit a synopsis of their concept, no longer than 500 words in a creative statement as well as a link to a recent CV and a portfolio of any past audiovisual work they have produced on www.netflix-growcreative.com/unesco

Applications opened on 14 October 2021 and close on 14 November 2021 at 11.59pm (GMT).

Individuals who are seeking a career or venture in feature film development and production can enter. However applicants must have a minimum of two years demonstrable professional experience in the audiovisual industry.

Applicants must have developed and produced one to two theatrical feature films, TV fiction, documentaries, or one or two short films and/or commercials.

Candidates must be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country and currently residing in Sub-Saharan Africa to apply.

Applicants must be 18-35 years old at the time of submission. Click here to find out more.

“This initiative aims to seek out new talents and great folk tales which are a very important part of our heritage and culture in Africa,” said Ben Amadasun, head of original content and acquisitions for Netflix in Africa.

The US company has had considerable success, picking up local shows from around the world and giving them a global audience – most recently with the South Korean hit Squid Game. 

It has already provided scholarships and pandemic relief funds in South Africa and Nigeria. 

Unesco said the new initiative was partly motivated by the desire to preserve certain traditions in danger of being forgotten as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to prevent cultural gatherings. 

Compiled by Sandisiwe Mbhele. Additional reporting by AFP.