Calling on emerging black filmmakers

The Emerging Black Filmmakers Transformation Fund was launched in 2014 and provides financial, marketing and other related support to emerging black filmmakers.

It was designed for black directors who have released fewer than five feature films.

The IDC and NFVF are hopeful that the fund will create a sustainable South African film industry. It will strengthen the local film production industry, making sure that filmmakers and producers create compelling content for the public. Funding will be limited to six qualifying and viable feature films per annum over three years.

Black directors and producers are requested to submit proposals based on the following 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 Department of Trade and Industry (dti) South African Emerging Black Filmmakers Incentive.
• Both emerging producer and director must collectively own at least 75 percent of the film rights.
• Where the producer is black, but not emerging (less than five feature films) – then the black director must own at least 50 percent of the film rights.
• Where the producer is not black – then the black director must own at least 75 percent of the film rights; and a young black producer must be mentored.

Applicants must submit:

• A second draft of a script.
• A two-page concept document outlining the genre, target market, log line, synopsis and directors treatment.
• CV’s of each member involved in the production team which includes the producer, director, writer and director of photography.
• Summary budget which refers to the amounts to be spent on pre-production, production and post-production.
• Declaration that the applicant owns the rights as per criteria above.
• Declaration that the application complies with the dti criteria for the Emerging Black Filmmakers’ incentive.
• Tax clearance certificate.
• Production schedule.
• Cashflow schedule.

Project information which includes the location of principal photography, the jobs created (in the same format/details provided for the dti application) and a skills development and skills transfer plan.

Details of the post production company and their experience.

Production company experience and previous productions involved in.

Chain of title documentation including script, music etc.

Interested parties are invited to send their applications via e-mail to production@nfvf.co.za.

Applications will close on 8 January next year. All queries should be e-mailed to production@nfvf.co.za

Details: www.nfvf.co.za