2020 WGSA MUSE AWARDS: CALL FOR ENTRIES

The Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA) cordially invites you to enter the 2020 WGSA Muse Awards.

Launched in 2013, the WGSA Muse Awards is the only awards in South Africa to honour performance writers. The awards celebrate and promote local content production by acknowledging the creativity and craft excellence of South Africa and African writers.

The 2020 Muse Awards categories cover:

       
       - Film
       - Television
       - Documentaries
       - Stage
       - Radio
       - Animation
       - Mobile/Web Series.
 

Entries for the 2020 Muse Awards close on:

• 30 November 2020 - Early Bird - R150.00
• 31 December 2020 - Standard Entry - R250.00
• 31 January 2021 - Final Entry - R400.00

The 2020 Muse Awards Ceremony is set to take place on Saturday, 15 May 2021.

 

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY HERE TODAY        VIEW GUIDELINES AND CATEGORIES HERE

 

LAUNCHING MOBILE FILM FESTIVAL - WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT

 

We are launching the call for films for the 16th Mobile Film Festival, whose theme this year is Women's Empowerment.

www.mobilefilmfestival.com 

 

Through this feminist theme, it is the point of view of women on women and female directors that we wish to support.

The format is pretty unique 1 Mobile, 1 Minute, 1 Film and the call for films is open until October 20, 2020.

We are supported this year by UN Women, YouTube, BNP Paribas, the Women's Forum, Simone Media and Sens Critique and many NGOs around the world.

The jury chaired by Agnès Jaoui, famous french director, (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0418450/) will award 7 prizes, among them 2 grants to produce film of 23.000 $ each.

Through this edition, we are looking for committed and militant films.

Here are our social accounts where we have started to communicate;

 

https://www.youtube.com/mobilefilmfestival

 

https://www.facebook.com/MobileFilmFestival

 

https://www.instagram.com/mobilefilmfest

 

https://twitter.com/MobileFilmFest

 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mobile-film-festival

 

More posts:

https://www.facebook.com/MobileFilmFestival/posts/10158482429213798 

Annisa (International Gran Prize 2018 edition #StandUp4HumanRights)

https://www.facebook.com/MobileFilmFestival/posts/10158514609598798 

 

On Twitter :  https://twitter.com/MobileFilmFest/status/1300751325605638144

 

For more information, please contact:

Léa Bouchier Di Benedetto

Assistante Communication

Mobile Film Festival 

Tel : +33 658 02 53 41 - +33 140 09 89 65

CANADA-SOUTH AFRICA CO- DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE FOR TELEVISION PROJECTS GUIDELINES 2020

Guidelines for Canada-South Africa Co-Development Incentive for Television Projects 2020

These Guidelines are divided into seven Sections as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Project Eligibility
3. Application Process
4. Important Information and Required Documentation
5. Evaluation Criteria
6. Contacts for the Program

INTRODUCTION

The Canada-South Africa Co-Development Incentive (“the Incentive”) is a collaboration between the Canada Media Fund (CMF or “Party”) and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF or “Party”) (the CMF and NFVF collectively the “Parties”) to fund the co-development of eligible television projects between producers from Canada and South Africa.

The Parties have partnered on this Incentive for a period of 3 years (2018 to 2020). The 2020-2021 Guidelines apply to the third and last year of this current partnership.

The amount available for this year of the Incentive will be CAN$195,000 (or approximately ZAR2,400,000) with CAN$97,500 (or approximately ZAR1,200,000) contributed by each of the CMF and NFVF. The Canadian contribution will take the form of a repayable advance while the South African contribution will take the form of a repayable contribution.

To be considered for funding through the Incentive, projects must comply with both Parties’ general funding criteria, with the CMF determining eligibility for the Canadian portion of a project and NFVF determining eligibility for the South African portion of the project. Projects will be evaluated and chosen by a committee comprised of representatives from each of the CMF and NFVF through a selective process (using the Evaluation Criteria listed below). It is important for Applicants to note that eligibility to or financing through the Incentive does not guarantee the Applicant eligibility or financing for further CMF or NFVF funding in development or in production.

The total maximum contribution for each project funded through the Incentive shall be the lesser of CAN$65,000 (approximately ZAR 800,000), consisting of (a) a CMF contribution which shall be the lesser of CAN$32,500 (approximately ZAR400,000) or 75% of the Canadian portion of the development budget and (b) a NFVF contribution which shall be approximately CAN$32,500 (ZAR400,000) or 75% of the South African portion of the development budget.

The total contribution from each of the CMF and NFVF for each project will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

While the ownership, financial control and creative contributions shall be determined in the co-development agreement between the applicable international co-producers, the minimum minority co-producer share shall not be less than 20%. As a general guideline, the CMF and NFVF encourage that such elements be proportional to each country’s respective funding contributions.

Project Eligibility

Eligible projects must meet the following criteria:

• Is a television project;
• Be one of the following formats – drama, documentary, and children & youth;
• Fulfil the themes, objectives of mandate and vision of both the CMF and NFVF;
• Involve at least one Canadian producer (eligible under CMF criteria) and one Qualifying producer (eligible under NFVF’s criteria);
• Comply with the rules pre-established in the Canada-South Africa Audio-visual Co-production Agreement, signed November 5, 1997;
• A project that has already received funding from CMF or NFVF in the same fiscal for the same stage of development is not eligible to the Incentive.
• The project must be supported by an eligible Canadian Broadcaster through a Letter of Commitment. However, such Letter of Commitment is not mandatory at application stage but will be required for selected projects before any contracts are signed or funding released. The Letter of Commitment must include a Development Fee of 10% of the Canadian share of the development budget by an eligible Canadian Broadcaster.

For clarity, any of the following will be considered a “Canadian Broadcaster”:

1. A Canadian programming undertaking, public or private, licensed to operate by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)^[1];
2. An online service^[2] owned, controlled and operated by a Canadian CRTC-licensed programming undertaking;
3. An online service^[3] owned, controlled and operated by a Canadian broadcasting distribution undertaking (“BDU”), licensed to operate by the CRTC; and
4. CRTC-licensed VOD services. 

Ineligible projects include:

• live recordings, TV games, talk shows, reality shows or teaching and ‘how-to’ programs to be shown directly in schools;
• documentaries promoting tourism, "making-of", reports, news and current affairs programs and "docu-soaps";
• projects including pornographic or racist material or advocating violence;
• works of a promotional nature;
• institutional productions to promote a specific organisation or its activities;
• any other genres of programming listed in section 3.2.TV.2 of the 2020-2021 CMF’s Performance Envelope Program, and any exclusion as set out in NFVF’s funding policy

KWAZULU-NATAL FILM COMMISSION: CALL FOR CULTURAL ADVISORS - PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

 

https://kznfilm.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Cultural-Advisors-Callout-2020-Final.pdf

KWAZULU-NATAL FILM COMMISSION: COVID-19 FILM RELIEF FUND

The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission's Covid-19 Film Relief Fund is now open, for more information visit their website at www.kznfilm.co.za or https://kznfilm.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/KwaZulu-Natal-Film-Commission-Call-for-Covid-19-proposals.pdf

INVITATION FOR SOUTH AFRICAN FILMMAKERS TO SUBMIT FILMS FOR THE 93RD ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS (OSCARS) INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM CATEGORY

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, is extending a call to all South African producers to submit their films for entry into the 93^rd Annual Academy Awards (Oscars). The Academy has opened a call for entry for International Feature Film Award, inviting South Africans to submit their feature films for consideration.

The NFVF is officially recognised by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to make submissions on behalf of the South African Film industry.

The closing date for submissions is the 12 October 2020, 16h00. The South African Academy Selection Committee will choose one film as the country’s official submission for the International Feature Film Award. 

The unprecedented coronavirus/COVID-19 global pandemic mandated the closure of commercial motion picture theatres worldwide. Until further notice and for the 93rd Awards year only, country selected films that had a previously planned theatrical release but are initially made available through a reputable commercial streaming distribution service or video on demand may qualify for awards consideration in the International Feature category for the 93rd Academy Awards under these provisions:

• Provide (original document(s) of government mandated theatre/cinema closure dates, previously planned theatrical release and steaming distribution or video on demand agreements.
• The film be made available on the secure Academy Screening Room member site within 60 days of the film being officially selected;
• That it meets all other eligibility requirements

When theatres reopen in accordance with national and local specified guidelines and criteria, and on a date to be determined by the Academy, this rules exemption will no longer apply. All films released thereafter will be expected to comply with the standard International Feature Film category theatrical qualifying requirements.

Film festival participation does not qualify a film in the International Feature Film category. Films must comply with all other eligibility requirements for the 93rd Academy Awards.

To be eligible this year, films must have been released in the submitting country for a theatrical run of at least seven consecutive days beginning no earlier than October 1, 2018 and no later than September 30, 2019.

DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE (DSAC) RESPONDS TO SECTOR ORGANISATIONS ON RELIEF FUND SECOND WAVE AND THE RE-OPENING OF THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY

 

15 Sep 2020

On 13 March 2020, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture met with the sectors to discuss challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of these consultations was to share vital information on the status of the Coronavirus in South Africa and to assess its adverse consequences, with a view to develop mitigation strategies thereof. These workshops were successful and together with the sectors, the Department formulated a coordinated national response in the form of the COVID-19 Relief Fund. Furthermore, the organisations submitted names of representatives from various sub-sectors, who were integral in the process of adjudication and later, the appeals process.

The first wave was extended to accommodate disadvantaged applicants; and to allow sufficient time for them to secure the required documentation. The appeals process that was introduced served as an enabler; and ultimately led to a total of 4 772 applicants benefiting from the first wave of the COVID-19 Relief Fund. This was out of a total of 5 786 applicants.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 48 HOUR FILM RACE A FIRST FOR THE GARDEN ROUTE

10 September 2020

Are you an amateur, semi-professional or professional film or video producer? Then the Garden Route 48 Hour Film Race is just for you. The concept is simple. You will have 48 hours from the moment that you receive the mystery genre, prop, character and dialogue to conceptualise, script, shoot, edit, and deliver your finished film. There are great prizes to the value of R40 000 to be won which includes Kloppers vouchers, Godox video lights, and a corporate video production master class. This competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 and production can be done on something as simple as a cellphone. According to the organiser Cara Botha “The days when you needed expensive gear to make movies are gone forever. There are excellent examples of feature films that was shot on a cellphone on the internet today. It's all about imagination and how you use your camera to bring your stories to life”.

The 48 Hour Film Race is hosted in association with the Garden Route International Film Festival which take place from the 21st of September to the 11th of October 2020. The Film Race will be hosted within the confines of Covid-19 regulations. Although the kick-off event will take place live it will happen without an audience. Instead the participants will be able to view the event live online through Facebook and Youtube live streaming. Once the participants has been briefed the race is on. All teams will be required to do an online Covid-19 safe sets safety course in advance for which a certificate will be issued. The entries will be uploaded via the internet instead of being handed in.

A team can consist of 1-3 members and a maximum of two actors are allowed although using actors is not compulsory. The film must be at least 3 minutes long but must not exceed 5 minutes. The best entries will be screened at the Garden Route International Film Festival on the 9th and 10th of October. We are also in final discussions with Ster-Kinekor to screen the 10 best films at the Garden Route Ster-Kinekor theatre on Sunday 11 October. Entry is free. Tips and production tools will be emailed to the registered teams regularly so early registration is highly recommended. Online registration closes on the 23^rd of September. To enter or for more information go to www.filmrace.co.za

DURBAN FILMMART VIRTUAL EDITION – CELEBRATES 1057 REGISTERED DELEGATES

The Durban FilmMart Institute is pleased to announce that the 11th Durban FilmMart virtual edition reached its halfway mark on Tuesday, 8 September with 1057 delegates registered.

“Our film  co-production and finance market, through this edition, has made its mark in solidifying its position as the most important platform on the continent for development and birthing of the content for African cinema,” says Head of the Durban FilmMart, Toni Monty. “We made a bold call to go virtual this year and not wait for a post-pandemic physical event. This call was indeed heard by the industry as they have come out in full force to robustly engage with each other in this virtual space.”

Since Friday, 4 September the market has offered filmmakers from around the globe, representing 66 countries, including 32 African countries (13 of which were French-speaking African countries), opportunities to engage in relevant discussions about the state of the industry, the future of film in Africa, and to learn from experienced film experts and share knowledge.

The event was streamed live from a production hub in Durban, where 75 different sessions by 170 speakers and panellists with 24 moderators, was broadcasted  to an accumulative audience of 5850 people using 50 gigs of data. In addition, the team recorded an incredible 75 hours of webinars and “hangouts” and presented pitches by 69 African filmmakers to financiers, investors, sales agents, and international markets.

“These numbers are certainly impressive, and if there was one good thing to have evolved out of this is the necessity to rethink the way of doing the business of film.  The virtual edition has drawn key role players to  “Durban”  to discuss, plan, unpack, and find ways forward for the industry. It has exposed emerging filmmakers and talent to experienced ones, provided benchmarking, and stimulated much creative thinking,” says Monty. 

Whilst the live streaming ended yesterday, the content from most of the panel discussions, presentations, and all the pitches are still up for viewing on the virtual event platform and available until  30 September for registered delegates.

The 69 projects that have been pitched to panels are currently taking meetings with potential investors, producers, financiers, and markets, and on Sunday 13 September at 3pm the official awards will be live streamed.  These prizes include finance packages or opportunities to pitch at international markets which enable the projects to develop further.

For more information go to wwww.durbanfilmmart.com

The Durban FilmMart 2020 is produced by the Durban FilmMart Institute with principal funding from the Durban Film Office and Ethekwini Municipality.  The DFM 2020 virtual event is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Film and Publications Board, Gauteng Film Commission, IEFTA,  Institut Francais – South Africa, Candian High Commission of SA, Wesgro/Film Cape Town and Namibia Film Commission with the following programme partners – Berlinale Talent, Documentary Filmmakers Association, DOK.fest München, Dok Leipzig, FidaDoc, Hot Docs Blue Ice Fund, Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Incoproduction, Independent Producers Organisation, Miradas Doc, Netflix, Norwegian South Film Fund, Produire au Sud, Rotterdam, Cinemart, Realness Institute, San Francisco Black Film Festival, SASFED, SWIFT, TRT 12 Punto, Writers Guild of  South Africa, University of Cape Town’s Screen Incubator programme.  DFM media partners include Awotele, Callsheet and Variety.

SANEF LAUNCHES ROUND TWO OF ITS MEDIA RELIEF FUND

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has announced that in conjunction with the Social Justice Initiative (SJI), it is now inviting applications for a second round of emergency funding for journalists who have lost their livelihoods as a direct result of the Covid-19 national disaster. In our first round we received 320 applications and 227 journalists were selected for payments. Journalists received a small donation of R5000 to purchase necessities like food and clothing.

“SANEF is happy to announce that round two is now open. We call on all on everyone to spread the word,” it said.

In terms of the criteria the following people can apply: Practising journalists who have not received retrenchment packages, freelance or contract journalists who have been retrenched or had their contracts cancelled from the date of implementation of the national lockdown on 26 March 2020 and thereafter as a result of Covid 19. Photographers, print, broadcast and multimedia journalists are all included.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 30 September 2020. Please see a link to the application form: Application form_emergency funding_September 2020_final 

COVID-19 RELIEF FUND 2ND WAVE CALL FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020

 

08 Sep 2020

On 17, August 2020 Minister Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa, announced 2^nd Wave COVID – 19 Relief application process as a form of assistance to artists, athletes, technical personnel, fitness instructors / practitioners and the core ecosystem with the objective of softening the economic impact sparked by the COVID– 19 Pandemic.

In facilitating this process, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in collaboration with Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) and the National Arts Council (NAC) committed to reach the wider sectoral audience by using their applications platforms as another facilitation process for prospective applicants to submit their requests for relief.  The Department also engaged and appealed to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), the Federations and other sport and recreation bodies to reach out to sports persons to apply for the Relief.   

Initially submission of applications for relief deadline was set for the 31 August 2020 and 2^nd September respectively. It was then extended for the 9^th September 2020 only to those who did not complete loading their on-line applications to finalise their application process.  

In light of the application process challenges that are still precipitating, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa in consultation with BASA  and the NAC has therefore deemed fit to further extend the submission of Relief applications process to Friday, 11^th September 2020.The Department is once more making that call to all prospective relief applicants to take note of the window period and urgently submit their applications for processing and also call upon those who are still to finalise the status of their applications to take advantage of the extension and urgently submit.

The Department further makes another appeal to those who are still battling with satisfying the tax mandatory requirement to urgently check their Tax Registration Status by consulting the South African Revenue Services (SARS) for assistance. Note that in the initial Department discussions with SARS in light of this mandatory requirement, SARS has outlined that all those potential applicants who are still experiencing challenges, can urgently register as Tax Payers on the link beneath and will be informed of their status or their tax numbers will be made available within 24 hrs of submitting their applications.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

To get the required Tax documents or register as Tax Payers, potential applicants should visit;

https://www.sars.gov.za/ClientSegments/Individuals/TCS/Pages/How-to-request-your-TCS.aspx

The applicants would be able to provide Proof of Tax registration enabling them to submit their applications.

All Sectoral prospective applicants who have commenced with their application process and left them incomplete, can still visit the following platforms and finalise their application process (i.e.): 

• NAC website https://nac.praxisgms.co.za/default.aspx
• What’s up applications on 087 153 1027 under the control of BASA

As a reminder, the second wave relief caters for the following individuals:   

• South Africans working in the sport, arts, culture and heritage sectors
• Individuals who belong in the sector and do not have a regular / consistent salary source,
• Individuals who rely solely on their creative work as a source of income
• Their earnings must have been interrupted or impacted upon by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Applicants who were not beneficiaries of the first relief. 

 

For applicants the COVID – 19 financial relief requests to be successful, the following mandatory documents must accompany all applications:

• Certified copy of South African identity document (ID) with date of certification not older than three months;
• Valid proof of bank account;
• Detailed bank statement showing income earned within the creative sector during the period of 12 months (March 2019 – February 2020),
• letter from industry body confirming that you are a sectoral practitioner / summary of your profile / portfolio work / copy of your academic achievement,
• Valid tax clearance certificate or tax number.

Note that sport applications for relief has been equally extended and all prospective applicants should urgently submit their application to the below mentioned email link or address: 

www.srsa.gov.za/media/covid-19-sport-relief-funds-2nd-wave and closing date as well is equally 11^th September 2020 and only athletes, coaches, technical support personnel, fitness instructors or practitioners who didn’t benefit from the first wave are eligible to apply.

  In relation to the sport relief application, the following mandatory documentation must accompany all applications: 

• Certified copy of your South African Identity Document not older than 3 months,
• Bank stamped proof of valid bank account, minimum three months detailed bank statements showing income earned from sport competitions, events, activities and fitness instructor / practitioner services rendered between March 2019 - February 2020 / signed and dated letter from your federation or organization confirming your sporting activities,

NB: If the prospective applicant is a fitness instructor / practitioner, letter (signed and dated) from an institution or organization that one has been providing health and fitness work to date and tax clearance certificate or valid tax number. All sport applicants who are experiencing challenges in getting their tax compliance documents, they must equally visit the above-mentioned SARS link and submit their tax clearance certificate requests.      

 To get more information about the application process, which documents and links to utilize, contact the following Number 0800 724 278 or visit the following sites for more information:

• Sport specific enquiries to: sportreliefenquiries@dsac.gov.za System / technical related enquiries may be sent to noogH@dsac.gov.za
• Dsacrelief@nac.org.za / www.Dac.gov.za / www.basa.org.za / www.nac.org.za
   

All available systems will be accepting applications and outstanding documents until Friday, 11^th September 2020 at 23h59:59 thereafter, the system will then cease to accept applications.  

 

Media enquiries:

Mr Mickey Modisane: Chief Director Marketing and Communications (Sport)

Tel: 082 992 0101 | Email: MickeyM@dsac.gov.za

Ms Zimasa Velaphi: Chief Director Marketing and Communications (Arts and Culture)

Tel: 072 172 8925 | Email: ZimasaV@dsac.gov.za

COVID-19 RELIEF FUND 2ND WAVE, CALL FOR APPLICANTS WHO DIDN’T FINALISE THEIR APPLICATIONS TO DO SO BEFORE 09 SEPTEMBER 2020

 

05 Sep 2020

On 17, August 2020 Minister Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa, announced 2^nd Wave COVID – 19 Relief application process as a form of assistance to artists, athletes, technical personnel, fitness instructors / practitioners and the core ecosystem with the objective of softening the economic impact sparked by the COVID – 19 Pandemic.

In facilitating the implementation of the commitment, the department has worked closely with both Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) and the National Arts Council (NAC) using their platforms to receive and process applications for the fund.

Though the process of submitting individual applications for NAC and BASA has closed on the 31 August and 02 September respectively, the department has noted that a number of applicants that logged and registered in both platforms have not fully completed their application process by submitting all required documents. This is especially prevalent in the Arts, Culture and heritage sector applications.  The missing supporting documents include certified ID documents either by the South African Police Service or by any duly authorized Commissioner of Oath; statements from the bank which are crucial to process payment etc.

The Department has further observed that there also seems to be challenges experienced by sector practitioners in terms of their Tax Registration Status. Unfortunately, this is a mandatory requirement which the Department cannot eliminate.

After consultation, the South African Revenue Services (SARS), they have advised that, potential applicants can register as Tax Payers in order to secure proof of registration and subsequent to individual filing, a tax standing document will be provided which will warrant applicants suitability for funding, the following link should be used:

https://www.sars.gov.za/ClientSegments/Individuals/TCS/Pages/How-to-request-your-TCS.aspx

The applicants would then be able to provide Proof of Tax registration enabling them to submit their applications.

In light of the above, the Department takes this opportunity to extend the closing date to Wednesday, 9^th September 2020 only for all those prospective applicants who did not finalise the status of their applications, to urgently submit all outstanding documents.  

All Sectoral prospective applicants who have commenced with their application process and left it incomplete, can still visit the following platforms and finalise their application process (i.e.): 

• National Arts Council (NAC) website https://nac.praxisgms.co.za/default.aspx
• Submission of document for incomplete what’s app applications can only be done through this link https://basaopenagency.formstack.com/forms/dsac_2nd_wave_supp_doc_resub

As a reminder, the second wave relief caters for the following individuals:   

• South Africans working in the sport, arts, culture and heritage sectors
• Individuals who belong in the sector and do not have a regular / consistent salary source,
• These individuals rely solely on their creative work as a source of income
• Their earnings must have been interrupted or impacted upon by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Applicants were not beneficiaries of the first relief. 

In light of the information mentioned above, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture takes this opportunity to thank all those that have taken the initiative and submitted their COVID – 19 second wave relief applications. All prospective applicants will therefore be informed in due course on the outcomes of their applications. 

To get more information about the application process, which documents and links to utilize, applicants can contact the following Number 0800 724 278 or visit the following sites for more information:

• Sport specific enquiries to: sportreliefenquiries@dsac.gov.za System / technical related enquiries may be sent to noogH@dsac.gov.za
• Dsacrelief@nac.org.za / www.Dac.gov.za / www.basa.org.za /  www.nac.org.za

NB: No new applications will be accepted on any of the available systems, only those individuals that have submitted their applications prior the closing date of the 31 August 2020 and 2 September 2020 respectively, will be allowed to submit outstanding documents. The stated systems will be accepting outstanding documents until Wednesday, 09 September 2020 at 23h59:59. The system will automatically shut down and no further submissions will be processed.

 

Media enquiries:

Mr Mickey Modisane: Chief Director Marketing and Communications (Sport)

Tel: 082 992 0101 | Email: MickeyM@dsac.gov.za 

Ms Zimasa Velaphi: Marketing and Communications (Arts and Culture)

Tel: 072 172 8925 | Email: ZimasaV@dsac.gov.za

SAGA INVITES ACTORS TO A PRACTICAL VOICE ROUTINE WORKSHOP

SAGA invites all actors interested in exploring your voice routine and skills.

Liz Mills shares techniques in sound, space and breath. 

Date: Saturday 12 September 2020

Time: 10:00 - 12:00

Click on the below link to register:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ld--hqDMoGdVDxHuesKCBIHV6TS4SWlI9

 

DURBAN FILMMART WELCOMES NETFLIX AS PROGRAMME PARTNER

 

Netflix, the World’s leading streaming entertainment service, has joined the Durban FilmMart as a new programme partner to the 11th edition of Africa’s premier film industry event which will host its virtual edition from 4 to 13 September 2020.

With 193 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages, Netflix has, in recent times, expanded their African content and distribution in line with global trends as the consumption of content transcending borders increases.

Netflix lead for African Originals,, Dorothy Ghettuba, and Director of Licensing and Co-Productions in Africa, Ben Amadasun will present a session: Netflix: Made by Africans, Watched by the World  – Netflix on taking Africa’s stories to the World in which they unpack Netflix content ecosystem as well as how the team works with local creators to bring their stories to the global streaming service.

Another panel, titled Africa’s Future is Female – Women Filmmakers on Centering Women in our Narratives will feature dynamic women creatives and producers in a conversation about representation of African women’s narratives on popular media. 

Since its 2016 launch on the continent, Netflix has added hundreds of local licensed content from South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Senegal, Angola, Ghana, Malawi and many other African countries. In early 2018, Netflix announced its intention to”amplify local voices to bring new, diverse and never-before-seen stories from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) to the world …believing that great stories can come from anywhere and that some of the world’s best content creators are in EMEA.” By doing this, Netflix nearly doubled the number of produced shows and its investment since the previous year..

Since the announcement, Netflix has added two Originals from South Africa to its offering with the premiere of its first script-to-screen production, Queen Sono, earlier this year, created by South African Kagiso Lediga,and starring Pearl Thusi in the leading role as well as Blood & Water, a young-adult series directed by Nosipho Dumisa and starring a diverse cast of new and established talent like Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema and Gail Mabalane. Other originals announced by the service include JIVA! a dance drama series from South Africa by Busisiwe Ntintili, an animated series Mama K’s Team 4, a ground-breaking partnership with Nigeria’s Mo Abudu for multiple originals and licensed projects and a yet-untitled six-part original series by Akin Omotoso. Lediga and Omotoso will feature in a panel discussion at DFM about their journeys in making their series for Netflix. In addition, Nosipho Dumisa will feature in a discussion around African storytelling.

“We know that great storytelling transcends borders. We have seen this is the success of both our original and licensed series, films and documentaries,” says Amadasun. “These stories from different countries, languages, and cultures are finding a worldwide platform, expanding our local filmmakers’ and talents’ audience base. We are really pleased to be partnering with the DFM, as it brings us closer to the African creative community with whom we can engage, exchange knowledge with  and possibly partner with to create great African stories that will be watched by the world.”

“Netflix is one of the most significant role players in the development of the film industry on the continent, and the world, and its reach is expanding exponentially, so we are delighted that they are partnering with us to share their insights with African filmmakers at the DFM,” says Toni Monty, Head of the DFM. “This is a great opportunity for independent professionals and emerging filmmakers to understand Netflix’s vision for African stories, and how it drives, creates, and selects content.”

The DFM takes place online and registration is open at this link: http://www.durbanfilmmart.co.za/Brave-New-Cinema-2020.aspx

WRITERS GUILD WEBSITE AND MUSE AWARD

The Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA) is pleased to announce the launch of a new website. “Our new streamlined site is finally live!” says Theoline Maphutha, WGSA Chairperson. “The first phase of many more exciting things to come.”

With the launch, comes the opening of submissions for the coveted WGSA Muse Awards for 2020. The WGSA Muse Awards recognize and reward outstanding writing in film, television, documentary, stage, radio, animation, and mobile/web series categories. An award for writers by writers. Launched in 2013, the awards are specifically for performance writers bestowed by their peers, shining a spotlight on the outstanding work of our members, who are often the unsung custodians of South Africa’s arts and culture.

The entry form is available on the WGSA website at www.writersguildsa.org

 

THE SOUTH AFRICAN GUILD OF ACTORS (SAGA) LAUNCHES SKILLS PORTAL

Take part in professional acting workshops and discussions throughout the year. To become a SAGA Member and get access to certain restricted members only events, please contact the SAGA Administrator at admin@saguildofactors.co.za.

SAGA has offered regular skills development workshops since early 2020.  When COVID-19 resulted in events and learning institutions being shut all across the world, the launch of our SAGA distance learning Portal was expedited.  Research shows that online learning increases retention of information and is an efficient use of time.

The education & empowerment Portal is part of the Association's mentorship and skills transfer program. Our objective is to improve professionalism across all acting disciplines, with specific attention to youth and gender equality.

For sustainable growth, SAGA believes that potential talent must be identified and channeled towards legitimate mentorship and acting opportunities. This portal harnesses the institutional knowledge and provides skills transfer to both working actors as well as under-served communities.

The portal allows actors to learn anytime, anywhere and offers online workshops and convenient micro-learning experiences. Subject matter experts guide participants through the learning process, providing interesting, current and relevant content for adult learners.

 

RSVP: 

admin@saguildofactors.co.za

More information

 

 

OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE SESSIONS AT CREATIVE PRODUCER INDABA

Creative Producer Indaba, which started its program yesterday was conceptualized as a vehicle to hone the creative and entrepreneurial skills of producers working in Africa. To request access to the online Plenaries and Talks as an observer please contact: submissions@realness.institute. Space will be made available on a first come first serve basis until they reach capacity.

The schedule for the online plenaries can be found on the Realness Institute website at: 

https://www.realness.institute/creative-producer-indaba.

More about the speakers here: http://ipo.org.za/speakers-announced-for-inaugural-creative-producer-indaba/

EFFIE T BROWN IN CONVERSATION WITH THE NFVF: OPPORTUNITY FOR IPO BLACK FEMALE PRODUCERS

The NFVF will be conducting virtual classes which will be facilitated by local industry experts. Mandla Dube is one of the selected facilitators and he has invited Effie T Brown to be a guest on one of his sessions. Effie will be talking about producing skills and financing opportunities in the USA. She will be presenting on the 10^th September 2020 at 17:00 – 18:00.

NFVF have reserved this session for local black female film producers so that they can empower and celebrate them. They have therefore invited the IPO to nominate ten local black female producers who may be working on their own narrative projects to participate in the session.

Interested IPO members should put their names forward with a 1 paragraph motivation detailing their project status, current challenges and desired outcomes sent to administrator@ipo.org.za by the close of business 2 September 2020.  

 

More about Effie: 

Veteran producer Effie T. Brown (“Dear White People,” “Project Greenlight,” “Real Women Have Curves”) is the CEO of Gamechanger, the first film financing fund by and for women, which launched in 2013. Under Brown’s leadership, Gamechanger will now broaden the fund’s scope to also include projects by and about people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities. Gamechanger will also expand into television and digital content with a new, fully monetized development fund that will enable it to buy, option, and develop IP for those platforms.

 “As a black female producer who’s been in the business for over 20 years, I know how hard it is to not only get into the room but to then secure financing when you have a culturally diverse or gender specific point of view,” said Brown. “What also makes us different is that the diversity of our content is as diverse as our investor pool. Our investors understand that it is going to take all of us pooling our monies together to ensure that these inclusive voices are given the opportunity to own their story from script to screen.”