NFVF Fiction Slate Funding Call for Proposals

The National Film and Video Foundation invites all eligible production companies to respond to the Call for Proposals for Fiction Slate Funding. Over the past seven years the NFVF has awarded slate funds to seven production companies with specific developmental and sustainability objectives.

The initiative was developed out of best practice internationally and was rooted in the notion that when a small company is granted operating capital towards development and cornerstone financing for production over a predetermined period, a great deal of uncertainty is removed from running the business.

The first slate was very clearly targeted at providing black directors a shot at their first feature in a supportive environment and it also involved the training of black heads of department. The second slate, which is in the second year of running, was awarded on the basis of a unique low budget commercial concept by the production company and will be tested when the first of the 4 films comes to the big screen later this year. The institution has drawn lessons from the first two slates and now wishes to extend the programme of slate funding to three eligible production companies. In 2012 three companies were awarded the slate funding: Fineline Productions (Hard to Get, 2014), Real Eyes (Ayanda, 2015) and Fuzebox (Golden Highway, 2015).

Slate Funding Objectives

The aim of the National Film and Video Foundation in putting out this call are broadly the following:

Cultivating sustainable and viable production companies.

Assisting production companies to identify and produce films that demonstrate audience awareness in the South African and international market.

Finding original ways of reaching audiences nationwide.

Encouraging increased opportunities for emerging writers and directors to have their work developed by reputable production companies.

Increasing the marketing and export of South African film products to the global market.

Promoting greater cooperation between production companies and distribution companies.

Previously the NFVF awarded 3 fiction slates, however for the year 2015/16 the slate will be divided into fiction, animation and distribution. The call for animation and distribution will be released in the coming week.

Eligibility

One fiction slate will be awarded to one of the following types of eligible companies and will be administered over a period of three years:

Black owned and managed companies with a unique proposal

Female owned and managed companies with a unique proposal

Any small company with a proven track record of delivery and a unique commercial proposal

In order for a production company to be considered for slate funding, the producer / production company must meet the following requirements:

Producer/s must be either a South African citizen or be a permanent resident of South Africa.

Production Company to be at least 51% owned and managed by applicant.

Production Company should have completed at least one narrative feature film, feature length documentary or television drama series which have been released theatrically or broadcast nationally.

Producer should demonstrate understanding of packaging and marketing of feature films.

Producer and Production Company to have clean industry record.

Production Company to have clear training and development strategy in place.

Producer or Production Company to have established relationship with local distributor and/or international sales agent.

Previous recipients of slate funding from the NFVF are ineligible.

Documentary slate funding proposals are ineligible.

Selection Criteria

Criteria that will be taken into consideration when assessing applications include:

1. Criteria for Applicant

Capacity of company to develop and produce at accepted global standards.

Quality of development strategy.

Consistency of budgets.

Quality of financing strategy.

Quality of distribution strategy.

Unique selling point in respect of sustainability and contribution to transformation in the industry.

2. Criteria for Projects

Quality of story

Knowledge of target audience

Potential of creative team

Potential for production

Box Office potential

Local and Global distribution potential

Solid finance and recoupment plan

Applications

All applications should be able to provide the following documentation in 1 X hard copy for consideration:

Production Company executive summary

Potential projects (if any) with signed letters of Intent / Option agreements

Development and Training strategy

Business plan indicating:

Production Company's capability to raise additional funding

Budget model

Recoupment model

Estimated sales estimates (if available)

Finance Plan

Marketing and Distribution strategy

CLOSING DATE: 24 July 2015 by 12 noon. Applications may be submitted by email to slates@nfvf.co.za by the closing date.

http://nfvf.co.za/home/index.php?ipkMenuID=&ipkArticleID=281

Call for Entries

South Africa

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