The National Film and Video
Foundation (NFVF) is an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture
that was created to ensure the equitable growth of South Africa's film and
video industry. The NFVF does this by providing funding for the development,
production, marketing and distribution of films and also the training and
development of filmmakers. In addition, the NFVF commissions researches and
produces industry statistics that provide both the public and stakeholders with
valuable insights into the South African film industry.
The NFVF in collaboration with
the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) are pleased to announce that
the call for writers to submit proposals for the Youth Filmmaker Project is now
open. The filmmakers will be guided by the team at Triangle Post and Animation
Studios, facilitators of the NFVF project.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The concept for the Youth
Filmmaker Project is to provide ten young filmmakers,
particularly those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, with an
opportunity to make a film in collaboration with other filmmakers.
We are looking for 10 - 15
aspirant young filmmakers who will be guided in developing their concepts into
24-minute scripts. Only the best 10 scripts will be produced by Triangle Post
and Animation Studios. Successful writers will be paired with a qualified
mentor who will teach them the much needed writing skills and techniques used
in the industry.
This project is targeted
towards aspirant young filmmakers who have a desire to break into the industry
and would like to pursue a career in script writing. This platform
will ensure that each participant has a completed film that will form part of
their portfolio in the future.
OBJECTIVES
- To nurture, support and promote young
filmmakers in South Africa through strategically developed training
laboratories and workshops.
- To seek out remarkable writers, who will bring new perspectives to our South African, African and global audience.
WORKSHOPPING
Successful candidates will go
through a series of intensive workshops facilitated by qualified industry
mentors who will equip them with the right tools in writing these short
films. The writer’s workshop will take place over a one-week period.
Thereafter one-on-one mentoring for each individual project will commence –
until a satisfactory polish draft is delivered.
Successful candidates must be
able to set aside 9 -12 months in order to fully partake in the programme.
These workshops will take place
to ensure that the aspirant writers are taught the full development process
with the final output of a polished script. This will range from learning how
to write loglines, synopsis, treatments, character bibles, script formatting
etc. Each successful writer will be involved from the start of production until
the post-production phase of their films. Workshop attendance is mandatory as
it helps with the development of the film and writer alike.
THEME
BEYOND has been
selected as the 2020 theme and can be interpreted and unpacked in various ways. BEYOND is
an adverb that means “in addition” or “farther along”, it means you’re doing
more than was expected!
It deals with stories of
life beyond major events such as but not limited to: a life
after Covid-19, beyond tragedy, success/achievement, failure, exclusion,
sickness, abuse, divorce etc. It allows for a variety of stories that
essentially all talk to restoration, new beginnings and hope.
We look at the theme BEYOND to
describe the following: outside the understanding, limits, or reach of; beyond comprehension; beyond endurance; beyond help.
This idiom can be used to show a variety of emotions. It expresses an extreme
emotional response, such as joy, thankfulness, shock, or even anger beyond
words.
ELIGIBILITY
In order for a filmmaker to be
considered for this opportunity, the applicant must meet the following
criteria:
- Applicants must be between the age of 18 to 35
years old.
- Must be new in the industry and have passion for
writing, no experience required.
- Must be a South African citizen or have a permanent
residency. Applicants can be from any province within South Africa but
preference will be given to those residing outside the main regions of
Gauteng and Western Cape.
- Applicant must make sure that she/he is available
without fail for the duration of the programme (workshops, shoot,
post-production).
- Please note that if your film is selected as 1 of
the 10 to go into production then you will not automatically be attached
as a director, you will however be given an opportunity to pitch for this
opportunity and the most suitable candidates will move onto the directing
phase.
- Be a historically disadvantaged Individual as
defined in the constitution of South Africa.
- There will be no stipend paid out to successful
participants
- Only fictional narratives will be accepted.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Eligible candidates
for the project must meet the following criteria:
- Must demonstrate a passion for writing.
- Must demonstrate familiarity with the tools of
scriptwriting including taking feedback, understanding that aspects of
their original story might change for the purposes of producing the script
- Have a strongly written concept for a 24-minute
stand-alone film with a clearly thought out premise or controlling idea
that would allow it to be packaged with other projects under the
theme “BEYOND”.
- Preference will be given to marginalized indigenous
language proposals.
- Be willing to meet the demands of the film industry
and be present at every training workshop.
- Demonstrate willingness and ability to work as a
part of a team in the pursuit of the same objective.
- Understand the value of and is able to work under
pressure and tight schedules.
- Optional: Have a portfolio of work to show their
capability e.g. a show reel or, in the case of writers – script samples,
that demonstrates their creative abilities.
- Can write a script with a maximum of 2 locations, 4 cast member and 6 extras.
REQUIREMENTS
All applicants are
required to submit the following documents in order to be considered:
- A one-page synopsis of their 24-minute film.
- Motivation letter (Who you are and why you are
passionate about filmmaking, how you would benefit from the programme)
- Detailed CV of the applicant
- Narrative treatment of the script (if available)
- Certified copy of ID document (not older than 3
months)
- Show reel/work portfolio (if available)
Applicants who do not
submit the above-listed mandatory documents will be automatically disqualified.
Please make sure that you attach
all required documents because any missing documents will lead to automatic
disqualification. All shortlisted candidates will be notified via email.
Writers outside Johannesburg will have to find their own accommodation and
transport if chosen.
CLOSING DATE FOR
APPLICATIONS: Tuesday, 30th June 2020 – midnight.
