NFVF CALL FOR PROPOSALS: FEMALE FILMMAKER PROJECT FACILITATING COMPANY 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites eligible Tier 1 and 2 South African production companies to submit proposals to serve as the Facilitating Production Company for the Female Filmmaker Project for a period of three (3) years. This initiative forms part of the NFVF's mandate to advance transformation, skills development, and access to opportunities for female filmmakers within the South African film industry.

The selected production company will be responsible for the management, implementation and delivery of the programme, including the training, development, mentorship and the production of short films by emerging female filmmakers.

Background

The Female Filmmaker Project is a strategic intervention by the National Film and Video Foundation aimed at addressing the underrepresentation of women in key creative and leadership roles within the South African film industry. This means all women, including but not limited to queer women, women of colour, women with disability, trans women.

The programme provides emerging female filmmakers, particularly those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, with the opportunity to develop their storytelling skills and gain practical production experience through a structured mentorship and production process.

Through this initiative, emerging filmmakers will collaborate with experienced mentors and industry professionals to develop original concepts and produce short films that serve as professional calling cards for future work in film and television.

The programme will be supported by a broadcast partnership with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), providing participating filmmakers with the opportunity to reach national audiences and gain exposure for their work. The SABC will hold a five-year broadcast licence for the completed films structured as follows:

Years 1-2: Exclusive broadcast licence

Years 3-5: Non-exclusive broadcast licence

Applicants should take this arrangement into account when proposing distribution strategies or additional partnerships.

Objectives

The objectives of the Female Filmmaker Project are:

To nurture, support and promote female filmmakers in South Africa through structured training and mentorship

To provide practical opportunities for emerging filmmakers to develop and produce short films

To identify and develop regionally diverse storytelling voices

To strengthen the pipeline of women directors and writers within the South African film and television industry

To contribute to the long-term transformation and sustainability of the industry

Scope of Work

The appointed Facilitating Production Company will be responsible for the design, management and implementation of the programme, including but not limited to:

Designing and administering a national call for emerging female filmmakers

Managing the selection process in collaboration with the NFVF

Coordinating training workshops and development labs

Appointing and coordinating experienced industry mentors

Supporting filmmakers in developing their concepts to final script stage

Managing the production of selected short films from pre-production to post-production

Overseeing programme administration, contracting and financial management

Delivering completed films and associated marketing materials

Identifying marketing, festival and distribution opportunities for the completed films

Submitting regular programme and financial reports to the NFVF.

The programme is intended as a filmmaker development initiative. The Facilitating Production Company must ensure that participating filmmakers remain actively involved in the creative development and production of their films and are supported through mentorship and professional guidance throughout the programme.

Programme Structure

The programme will run over a three-year period.

Each year the programme will support:

Up to ten (10) emerging female filmmakers participating in development and mentorship activities

Female applicants with a minimum of two years' experience in the industry in any department. Preference given to women who have not had an opportunity to make a film.

Script development and mentorship for selected projects.

Upon completion of the development of the scripts, the Company and the NFVF will select the best scripts for production.

The production of up to eight (8) short films

Short films must:

Be between 23 and 25 minutes in duration

Be led by women in key creative roles, particularly writing and directing

Demonstrate strong storytelling and production quality appropriate for festival, broadcast or digital exhibition

Budget Framework

The Female Filmmaker Project is funded at a total value of R18 000 000 over three years, with R6 000 000 allocated per annum.

Programme Budget (NFVF Allocation)

Applicants must submit a detailed budget demonstrating how the programme will be implemented within the allocated funding of R6 000 000 per annum.

This budget must include:

Programme facilitation and administration fees

Training workshops and development activities

Mentor fees and development support

Production of short films

Marketing, delivery and distribution activities

Programme facilitation and management costs may not exceed 20% of the annual programme budget.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate how the programme will be implemented within the allocated funding.

Intellectual Property

All intellectual property rights in the films produced through the Female Filmmaker Project must vest with the participating filmmakers.

The Facilitating Production Company will act in a programme management, mentorship and production support capacity and may not require participating filmmakers to assign intellectual property rights as a condition of participation in the programme.

The Facilitating Production Company must assist filmmake

LINK:	https://www.nfvf.co.za/nfvf-call-for-proposals-female-filmmaker-projec...
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