Call for Film Projects for Durban FilmMart 2020

Project submissions for the 11th Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s leading film industry co-production market is now open and close on 31 January 2020.

A Durban FilmMart Workshop

 The 11th DFM is scheduled to take place from 17 to 20 July 2020, during the 41st Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) in Durban, South Africa.

A joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO), the eThekwini Municipality’s industry development unit and the DIFF, the DFM aims to support and stimulate the growth of the African film industry and develop connections between African filmmakers and the world. The project-in-development section of the DFM offers opportunities for film-makers to pitch to industry experts with the view to advancing their ideas closer to production.

The 2020 edition of DFM over four days will include pitching sessions for projects in development, workshops, panel discussions and seminars with industry experts and the ever-popular networking sessions enabling film-makers to connect and re-connect with an array of significant representatives from the industry both locally and internationally.

“We are very excited about the 11th edition of the Durban FilmMart,” says Head of the Ethekwini Municipality’s Durban Film Office Toni Monty. “The importance of the market to film-makers continues to make an impact. The 10th edition attracted influential individuals and organisations from across the globe. We also witnessed significant growth in our delegate numbers, and we able to expand the programme with a number of new offerings including the important Locations Africa aimed at attracting more filming on the continent, a larger isiPhethu Hub for emerging filmmakers within the DIFF as well as the Engage

@DFM which was a curated think tank of conversations and panels on the future perspectives of the African film.”

Last year the market drew a record number of over 1000 delegates, including film-makers, distributors, broadcasters, agents, financiers and investors from around the world.

The selection panel will choose up to ten documentaries and ten fiction feature length film projects from the submissions. Selected projects will be announced in early May 2020, and will participate in a programme of mentorship and project packaging before presenting their projects to potential investors at the Durban FilmMart in July 2020.

Full length feature and documentary film projects with Africans in the major creative roles (writers, directors and producers) that are looking for co-producers, financiers, sales agents and funders, are invited to submit.

For more about the Durban FilmMart 2020, project submission criteria and how to submit a project, visit www.durbanfilmmart.com.

For further enquires contact: info@durbanfilmmart.com or call +27 31 311 4243.

Deadline to submit: 31 January 2020

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton

Opportunity for Female Filmmakers

Blue Ice Pictures in partnership with The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) will be hosting a four week

mentorship and hands on training programme for emerging female filmmakers in September 2017.

Blue Ice Pictures is an independent film and television production company based in Toronto with an office in Cape Town. The company’s highly skilled team develops and produces critically acclaimed and commercially viable films, television shows, documentaries, and reality series, with a longstanding involvement in international co-productions and studio production services.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture that was

created to ensure the equitable growth of South Africa's film and video industry. We do 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 research and produces industry statistics that provide both the public and

stakeholders with valuable insights into the South African film industry.

The two successful candidates will be working closely with a director and producer on the set of Blue Ice Pictures

television series production in Toronto. The programme offers accommodation, travel and a stipend whilst in Toronto.

Criteria:

Applicants must have a minimum experience of 2 – 3 years proven track record in producing /

directing a Fiction / Drama (NO DOCUMENTARIES)

South African citizen or permanent resident and must reside in South Africa

Previously disadvantaged individuals are encouraged to apply

Requirements:

Full comprehensive CV

A short career profile within the film industry

Certified ID copy

Certified valid passport

Must be AVAILABLE for 45 uninterrupted weeks whilst based in Toronto

Important Notice:

1. Incomplete applications will be disqualified

2. Only certified documents will be accepted

3. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered

4. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for a one on one interview

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 31 July 2017

EMAIL SUBMISSIONS TO: applications@nfvf.co.za

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton 

CineFAM South Africa Short Film Challenge at DIFF and DFM

CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, in partnership with Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), invites South African women filmmakers to participate in the inaugural CineFAM South Africa Short Film Challenge. 

The CineFAM South Africa Short Film Challenge aims to create opportunities to garner international recognition and global distribution and is presented at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) (13 to 23 July) and the Durban FilmMart (DFM) (14 to 17 July).

SWIFT is a newly formed organization that aims to advance the participation of women in the South African audio‐visual sector. CaribbeanTales is a group of companies that produces, markets, and sells Caribbean‐themed film and television content for global audiences. It includes CaribbeanTales Inc. a registered Charity based in Toronto, Canada; the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) which takes place annually in Toronto in September; the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator Program.

The challenge also aims to connect South African filmmakers with those in the Diaspora as well as a

global audience.

SWIFT will present a preparatory workshop on no‐budget filmmaking at the Durban FilmMart on Monday, July 17 from 12:30pm to 2pm at the Tsogo Sun Maharani Hotel. This workshop will provide participants with useful tools for making a short film with constraints in time, budget and other resources.

This is a free workshop and no booking is necessary.

Following the workshop (which is not mandatory to enter the Challenge), the CineFAM South Africa Short Film Challenge will take place from 19‐23 July and will be open to teams with the roles of writer, director and producers filled by women and queer filmmakers from South Africa. The theme from the challenge will be announced on 18 July on the CaribbeanTales website www.caribbeantales‐tv.com and the teams will have five days to write, shoot and edit a film of no longer than 5 minutes. Entering teams need to feature female identifying crew in the key positons of writer, director and producer.

Completed films must be uploaded by no later than Sunday, 23 July at midnight (GMT +2) on the CaribbeanTales website. Teams unable to upload the films for submission, from their own internet connections, should contact cinefamza@gmail.com on the first day of the challenge to make arrangements for submission.

A shortlist of up to ten short films will be selected and posted on the CT website for online voting. The challenge will recognize three winning films including best story, best direction and audience choice. Two of these films will be given their World Premiere Screening at the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival and all will be given the opportunity to acquire distribution by CTWD.

“We are very excited to be collaborating with both SWIFT and Caribbean Tales on this initiative and hope it will lay the foundation for more cooperation between filmmakers on the continent and those from the Diaspora,” says Toni Monty of the Durban FilmMart.

Sara Blecher said “Short films are brilliant ways that filmmakers and their projects can get noticed.

“We are delighted that this new programme to encourage South African filmmakers to take the short film challenge during the festival focuses on women in line with the Women Led Film theme for this year’s festival,” says Chipo Zhou, DIFF manager.

For more info contact cinefamza@gmail.com .

For more info about the DIFF go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za  and for the DFM go to www.durbanfilmmart.com.

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton 

Opportunity For Filmmakers

France South Africa coproduction Workshop

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the National Centre for Cinema (CNC) of France, in conjunction with the French Embassy in South Africa, are organising a 2 day coproduction workshop between the two countries, which will be held in Paris the week of 27 March 2017.

This workshop is part of the ongoing collaboration between these institutions to strengthen the cooperation in the film industry between France and South Africa, and to encourage coproductions within the framework of the coproduction treaty existing between the two countries.

The workshop that will be organised in Paris specifically aims to create a platform for South African filmmakers/producers with developed feature film projects to meet with their fellow French producers, and find potential partners with a view to coproduce their projects.

In order to be considered for the coproduction workshop organised in Paris, a project must meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below:

1. Application is for feature length film projects only (80 minutes minimum).

2. Project must have a director and producer attached to it.

3. Film producers and directors are either citizens or permanent residents of South Africa.

4. Previous industry experience is required. The director and producer must have experience in their respective role (no less than one feature film for the producer, at least 2 shorts for the director).

5. The project must be fully developed and relevant for the French/European market

How to Apply?

Send your complete application in English by email to: coproductions@nfvf.co.za 

To be considered, applications must include the following:

1. Covering letter

2. Synopsis

3. Director’s treatment

4. Full script

5. Director and producer’s profiles.

6. Tentative budget

7. Finance plan

Closing date for applications is 15 December 2016.

Selections will be made according to the above criteria and successful

applicants will be notified by the 31 January 2017.

Transport and accommodation costs of selected participants will be covered by NFVF (One participant per project).

For more info and to download  the application form visit: www.nfvf.co.za

Opportunity for African Writers and Directors at 9th Talents Durban

Call for Entries 9th TALENTS DURBAN @DIFF 2016

In cooperation with Berlinale Talents at the 37th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF).

17 – 21 June 2016.

This year, Talents Durban opens submissions to 15 African writers and directors with fiction, documentary and hybrid projects in development. For the first time, the reconceptualized

initiative includes high quality projects of all media formats, such as film, television series, web series and content for mobile platforms. In order to build on sustainable networks, the call for entry is also aimed at alumni of Talents Durban who participated in any previous editions of the programme and now want to come back to work on a project.

Like before, Talents Durban will be again hosting mentorship and hands on training for 5 emerging film critics.

The Talent Press programme is a cooperation with FIPRESCI and the GoetheInstitut.

Talents Durban is also excited to announce a new partnership with REALNESS, a South African residency programme where five African screenwriters are invited for a seven week residency to develop a new draft of their original feature screenplay. These five screenwriters will also be participating in this year's edition of Talents Durban and benefit from the international networks of the Durban FilmMart.

Talents Durban will take place from 17 – 21 June as part of the 37th Durban International Film Festival (16 – 26 June). The overall 20 selected participants from across Africa will be given a chance to forge relationships in an intensive five day programme of one on one

project consultation and industry networking activities with renowned mentors and professionals in the fields of production and distribution.

The 9th edition of Talents Durban runs under the motto Degrees Of Separation: Connecting People And Story.

Film has always had the almost magical ability to connect people with story. Whether that be one as familiar to you as a simple tale of romance or whether it be as far removed as life on other worlds, film blurs the borders of yours and transforms human existence into something that is shared.

Talents Durban aims to connect African screenwriters, directors and film critics to recognise, explore and celebrate both the differences and similarities that make this connectedness through film and media possible. More than ever before, the redesigned programme will focus on quality content itself and delve into the adage of Africa having many stories to tell. Talents Durban aims to address and rectify the reality where these stories are often not told by those who have lived these experiences and what this does to either further separate or connect emerging audiences.

With access to the DIFF screenings and through participating in conversations with experts from around the world, Talents Durban seeks to span the gaps that separate us through one of the most important aspects of the programme, collaboration; as the collaborative process opens the doors of creativity and opportunity.

Applications are now open and can be done online at the following URL: http://www.berlinaletalents.de/bt/durban/ap/info/index

Or visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za

Deadline for application May 2, 2016.

For more info contact 031 260 2506 or talentsdurban@gmail.com.

Talents Durban is an initiative of the Durban International Film Festival in cooperation with Berlinale Talents and is supported by the KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the German Embassy in South Africa, the KwaZuluNatal Film Commission, the GoetheInstitut South Africa and the Gauteng Film Commission.

Youth Filmmaker Project - Deadline 26 January 2016

A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO FOUNDATION (NFVF),

KWAZULU-NATAL FILM COMMISSION (KZNFC), NATIVES AT LARGE IN ASSOCIATION

WITH JUNGLE WORKS

This is a call for young filmmakers to apply for an opportunity to be considered for the Youth

Filmmaker Project 2016.

The Youth Filmmaker Project is a valuable intervention by the National Film and Video

Foundation, to provide recent graduates of film schools and tertiary institutions, particularly

those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, with an opportunity to make their first

professional fiction film in collaboration with mentor/producers Ramadan Suleman, Neville Josie

and Bhekizizwe Peterson.

Based on the strength of your submitted synopsis short listed candidates will be invited to an

interview. After the interview process fifteen participants will be selected to join the story and

script development workshops over a 6 months period. The six months involves working

independently and through participation at the workshops. Attendance at all workshops is

compulsory. Finally ten of the strongest scripts will be selected to go into production in 2016.

The successful projects and teams will then be provided with a directing mentor and a

professional production crew to shoot their film.

The story and script development process will include 5 x 3 day mandatory residential

workshops between the months of February 2016 and June 2016 with facilitators and mentors,

working on developing the script with the participants. The process encourages writers to hone

their approach to story and eventually direct their films or partner with a first time

director/graduate. During the preproduction process, each director will also be provided with the

necessary tools to break down scripts for camera as well as detailed strategies for extracting the

best performances from the actors.

Natives At Large in association with Jungle Works will produce the films.

The mentoring process will continue during production, editing, post production to final delivery

of the film.

ELIGIBILITY

The applicant must meet the following requirements:

1. Have graduated from university, film school or a tertiary institution no more than five years

ago.

2. Have studied in one or more disciplines or have experience including (but not exclusive to):

writing, directing, editing, cinematography, producing, performance, visual art, photography or

any other relevant subject.

3. Be a historically disadvantaged individual as defined in the constitution of South Africa.

4. Be able to set aside the requisite time over a period of 14 months to complete the programme.

5. Not older than 35 years.

6. Should not have made a professional narrative/fiction film.

7. This is a funded project so no payment is required.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Eligible candidates for the project must:

* Submit a strong written synopsis for a short (approx. 24 minutes) fiction film with a clearly

thought out premise or controlling idea.

* Demonstrate a familiarity with cinema, story telling, literature, performing and visual arts.

Familiarity with the tools of scriptwriting including software will be an advantage.

* Demonstrate a willingness and ability to work with others in pursuit of the same objective.

* Understand the value of and is able to work under pressure and tight schedules.

Shortlisted submissions will be invited to present their proposal in person.

THEME

"SA 2030"

The series of films that will be produced need to be packaged as a cohesive series, and in order

to achieve this, we have put forward a theme around which writers can submit their story idea for

a 24 minutes fiction film.

In an effort to avoid stereotypical and clichéd themes, we want to explore current themes that

resonate with young South Africans, themes that explore the values and expectations of South

African society today and in the future. The overall theme for this submission speaks to the

future: SA 2030 ³We, the people of South Africa, have journeyed far since the long lines of our

first democratic election on 27 April 1994, when we elected a government for us all. We began to

tell a new story then. We have lived and renewed that story along the way. Now in 2030 we live

in a country which we have remade. Our new story is open ended with temporary destinations,

only for new paths to open up once more. It is a story of unfolding learning. Even when we

flounder, we remain hopeful. In this story, we always arrive and depart.² An excerpt from South

Africa¹s National Development Plan¹s vision statement.

2030 is in the future but a future that¹s not really far off it is a mere 15 years away. But as we

know from history and experience much can change and much remains the same. The synopsis

of the story that you submit must give a strong sense that it is unfolding in South Africa 2030.

The story can be hopeful or pessimistic but should be driven by strong characters with clear

needs and wants. The synopsis of your story and the ideas you present should also indicate that

you have thought about and researched the subject matter.

There are many issues and concerns related to the cultural, social, political, economic, gender,

technology and environment among others that could be a starting point for your story but we

are interested in how you imaginatively and creatively explore these concerns through a

characters journey in a 24 minutes fictional story located in South Africa 2030.

These are just some of the ideas that can be explored with this theme. We believe there is a

multitude of stories that can come out, but the ultimate goal is to make stories that will resonate

with audiences today, told from a youth perspective and stories that we can recognize ourselves

in.

APPLICATIONS

All applications should be able to provide the following documentation for

consideration:

1. Not more than a two to three pages detailed synopsis for one 24 minutes film. DO NOT

SUBMIT SCRIPTS

2. A covering letter with a strong motivation stating why you want to participate in the project.

3. CV and certified copy of ID document.

CLOSING DATE EXTENDED

The extended closing date is the 26 January 2016.

All applications must be submitted electronically to yfilmproject2016@gmail.com by the extended closing date. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

All enquiries must be directed to:

Natives At Large Nonkululeko Dube: 011 782 1552 /1453

NFVF Xolelwa Mayatula (Production & Development Coordinator): 011 483 0880