CALL FOR FILM WRITERS PROGRAMME - OCHRE MEDIA

 THE WRITERS' TABLE SCREEN WRITING INITIATIVE #2

BY OCHRE MOVING PICTURES, MEDIA

Ochre Moving Pictures and Rififi Pictures in association with Indigenous Films and Times Media Films will be launching the second of its training programmes for screen writing in September 2015. 

Following its initial programme targeting writing for soap opera, the second programme will target the category of feature film writing.

The programme will target the development of low budget film projects that fall under the categories of Comedy, Coming of Age and family orientated films specifically targeting Black South African audiences. 

The programme, which will be offered free of charge to successful applicants, is facilitated through guidance and nurturing by leading industry professionals. Successful applicants will begin the programme with a film project of their own that fits the targeted genre and will be given support and guidance in developing their idea. At the end of the programme at least two projects will be selected and the candidates funded for a script development phase and the projects will then be financed as part of an annual slate of low cost local productions to be produced by Ochre Moving Pictures and Rififi Pictures.

The programme, will consist of full day workshops every week with schedules of work to be completed between each workshop. Applicants must be able to commit to an eight week period and have the time and capacity to deliver the workload to deadlines. 

The programme will begin on the 26th of September 2015.

Applicants are not required to have any formal qualifications, but must provide proven records of their writing skills and experience through the submission of any piece of writing (not necessarily for screen) which has appeared in the public domain (published, produced or appeared online) as well as a short outline of their project in no more than 250 words in English. 

Applicants are also required to be able to verbally pitch an idea in English.

Both pieces of writing, along with a short CV must be emailed to info@ochre.co.za attention Liesl Thomson by 09h00 on Monday 31st of August 2015. No late applications will be accepted.

Successful applicants will be notified by email or phone on 11th of September 2015.

Call for Entries – DISCOP 2015 Pitching Competition

Pitching Competitions Will Take Place In The Context of DISCOPRO 2015 at the Sandton Convention Center During DISCOP Africa Johannesburg.

Following the success of the DISCOPRO Pitching Competition in 2013 and 2014, the program has been extended to 6 PITCHING COMPETITIONS, and the agenda is as follows:

Wed, 04 November 2015:
Comedy – 3:00 PM
TV Series 4:30PM

Thurs, 05 Nov 2015:
Formats – 3:00PM
Documentaries– 4:30PM

Friday, 06 Nov 2015:
Animation – 3:00PM
Educational Content – 4:30PM

IMPORTANT:

• Space is limited to thirty (30) established and aspiring producers. 
• Each participant is allowed to submit one (1) original idea per category. 
• Registration to the market is required for pitching competition project submissions. 
• Short-listing for each of the category will begin on September 10, 2015.

8 Participants will be shortlisted as semi-finalists from different parts of Africa. The eight (8) nominees will be selected for the following categories: 

• TV SERIES, 
• DOCUMENTARIES, 
• FORMATS, 
• ANIMATION, 
• COMEDY AND 
• EDUCATIONAL CONTENT.

A live interactive AUDIENCE WILL VOTE for their favourites during the first segment of each pitching session. A qualified jury (PANEL OF INDUSTRY EXPERTS) will select ONE WINNER and ONE RUNNER-UP per competition based on creative vision, originality and the viability of the idea as a TV program with high production potential. Judges will be looking for strong ideas that meet all criteria, contain clear concepts, are well-prepared and pitches are engaging.

Winners and runner ups in each category will receive $2,000 and $1,000 plus consulting services to develop their project into a pilot and more.

An award ceremony will take place Friday, November 6th from 7:00PM to 8:30PM and will be attended by influential TV industry guests involved in content development, production and distribution.

For additional information on participation and sponsorship opportunities please contact the following:

Sinethemba Magona 
DISCOPRO Project Manager: sinethembamagona@basiclead.com

Thabiso Masudubele
Strategic Relations Director: thabisomasudubele@basiclead.com

Marc Berrey
Marketing Manager: marcberry@basiclead.com
TEL JOHANNESBURG: + 27 11 482 61 10

If you would like to subscribe to the DFA newsletter you can send an e-mail to: dfa.jhb@gmail.com

Or to write to the editor send an e-mail to: liezel.vermeulen@gmail.com

DISCOP Africa 2015: DFA gives members 50% discount

DISCOP 50% discount on Registration

DFA has negotiated a 50% discount on DISCOP Johannesburg tickets for their PAID UP Documentary Filmmakers Association (DFA) members! Should you be interested in attending DISCOP in Johannesburg 4-6 November 2015 please reply to this address  with your name, company name, projects you want to take to DISCOP and motivation of WHY YOU would like to attend.

Please note that this discount is for your DISCOP ticket and does NOT include accommodation or travel expenses to the event. 

This is also ONLY VALID if you are paid up for 2015. DFA will confirm your membership status and send your details on to DISCOP AFRICA for further communication.

If you would like to subscribe to the DFA newsletter you can send an e-mail to: dfa.jhb@gmail.com

Or to write to the editor send an e-mail to: liezel.vermeulen@gmail.com

10th SAFTAS awards call for entries

For the guidelines and categories click here.

2015 Tri-Continental Film Festival

In 2015, TCFF will take place as a travelling film festival. Moving from city to city over a four-month period from August, the social impact films in this year’s selection will be reaching new audiences. In 2015 the festival will travel to Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and  Mbombela.

SOCIAL IMPACT DOCUMENTARIES

What is important about a documentary that seeks to make social impact? Documentaries are first and foremost stories. They provide those moments in art when individual human stories intersect with social contradiction and ethical struggle; the individual viewer watches from a place of freedom and is prompted to think about how things might be different in the future. The social impact documentary takes things further. It prompts the individual to think about their role in making that difference. Social Impact documentaries seek to make active participants of us all, and more. They seek to open hearts and once opened, to direct our consciousness towards activating social change.

JOHANNESBURG SCHEDULE 2015

The Bioscope  
Wed 19th  7:30pm Democrats
Thur 20th  7:30pm Red Lines
Fri 21st     7:30pm Incorruptible
Sat 22nd   2:30pm Dreamcatcher
Sat 22nd         5:00pm The Yes Men Are Revolting
Sat 22nd         7:30pm The March of the White Elephants
   
Westbury Youth Center  
Thur 20th         2:00pm Parole Camp
   
Hillbrow Youth Theatre  
Fri 21st     2:00pm Parole Camp - Director in Attendance
Sat 22nd   3:00pm Democrats

For the full schedule and more information click here.

Important update regarding deadline for public commentary on the new Copyright Amendment Bill

 

As you may know, the library and educational sectors have been lobbying since 1998 for better and more balanced copyright laws. On 27 July 2015, the Department of Trade and Industry published a new Copyright Amendment Bill for public comment. 

The deadline for public comment has been extended by 15 days to the 16th of September 2015.

Interested persons may submit written comments on the proposed Copyright Amendment Bill to:

Director General, Department of Trade and Industry
For Attention: Meshendri Padayachy
Private Bag X84
Pretoria, 0001

Hand deliver to

77 Meinjies Street
Block B, 1ST Floor,
Sunnyside
Pretoria

Email: MPadayachy@thedti.gov.za

For the current Copyright Act click here.