The world’s leading streaming service Netflix and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) have announced a R28-million partnership aimed at funding the production of South African “micro-budget” feature films.
The agreement will see both partners National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and Netflix contributing R14 million each in support of the production of local films, which will include exclusive debuts on Netflix.
The partnership will see 6 local films funded, categorised into two streams: four feature films with a budget of R4 million each, and two feature films with a budget of R6 million each.
- Stream 1: Four Feature Films by emerging filmmakers capped at R4,000,000;
- Stream 2: Fictional Feature Films by established filmmakers capped at R6,000,000.
The NFVF said that the funding for the films will alleviate the pressure filmmakers face to raise additional funding and boost recovery of the creative industry from the pandemic, whilst ensuring job creation.
All six films created from this fund will premiere on Netflix first.
“We are excited as the NFVF to be partnering with Netflix and appreciate their investment into local content. The incorporation of digital platforms into our traditional processes can only benefit the industry further. We hope this is simply the start in what will no doubt be a long and fruitful relationship,” comments NFVF CEO, Makhosazana Khanyile.
Netflix’s Director of Content in Africa, Ben Amadasun said;
“The past year has been incredibly difficult with the pandemic hitting so many industries around the world. The creative community, that we are a part of, has supported us through the good times so we want to help them continue to create the stories our members love through the $1 million Covid Relief Fund contribution we started last year in collaboration with SASFED and IPO to help below-the-line workers in South Africa’s creative industry. Now, we’re excited to take this a step further with this joint fund with NFVF for above-the-line talent.”
How to apply for funding
The NFVF announced that the submission portal for funding will go live on 1 April 2021.
“We encourage all filmmakers in accordance with the eligibility criteria to apply by visiting https://nfvf.praxisgms.co.za/ from the 1st of April 2021,” the organisation said.
“More details will be available at www.nfvf.co.za or @nfvfsa on all social media platforms.”
