NFVF calls for Female Filmmakers

The National Film and Video Foundation, an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture, calls for female filmmakers to apply for an opportunity to be considered for the Blingola filmmaker project 2015/16.

The concept for the Female Only Filmmaker Project is a valuable intervention by the National Film and Video Foundation, to provide recent female entrants into the industry, particularly those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, with an opportunity to make a film in collaboration with other women. Successful applicants will be guided in the development of their stories into a 24-27minute script over a period of 5 months.

Ten to fifteen shortlisted submissions will go through a development process in preparation for the production of the films, which will be shot over a five-week period. However only 10 of the scripts will be selected to go into production in 2015.

The development process will include 3 x 3 day workshops between the month of May and early July 2015, working with facilitators and mentors, who will work with the writers on developing the script. During this 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.

The successful projects and teams will then be provided with a professional production crew to shoot their film. A post-production supervisor will be appointed to assist them in the editing and final delivery of the film.

Finally, a special premiere of three of the best completed films as chosen by their peers will be held at a suitable venue to be confirmed with the cast, crew and creative personnel as well as NFVF council and staff.

Eligibility

In order for a filmmaker to be considered for this opportunity, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

Have worked in the industry for at least two years.

Have worked in one or more departments including (but not exclusive to): writing, directing, editing, cinematography, producing, assistant director, production managers and actresses.

Be a Historically Disadvantaged Individual as defined in the constitution of South Africa.

Be able to set aside the requisite time over a period of 8 months to complete the programme.

Selection Criteria

Eligible candidates for the project must:

Have a strong written concept for a half hour (approx. 26 minutes) standalone film with a clearly thought out premise or controlling idea that would allow it to be packaged with at least 5 other projects.

Demonstrate familiarity with the tools of scriptwriting including software, formatting, scheduling and editing.

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.

Have a show reel that demonstrates their creative abilities.

Have written, directed, photographed or edited two or more short films, documentaries or commercials.

Short-listed submissions will be invited to present their proposal in person.

Theme

Negotiating Spaces

The series of films that will be produced need to be packaged as a cohesive series, and order to achieve this, we have put forward a theme around which writers can submit their story idea.

In an effort to avoid stereotypical and clich d themes usually associated with women films, we want to explore current themes that resonate with modern day African women, themes that explore the values and expectations of modern African women today.

How do women negotiate their position as mothers, wives, daughters, career women and professionals, girls etc. - in an ever-changing society? The pressures and expectation imposed by society on women requires them to continuously negotiate and navigate their place and position and within their own personal desires. Our proposed theme is thus: Negotiating Spaces

The theme offers a variety of subjects to be explored including:

Family (responsibility and expectation);

Taboos (cross cultural);

Love

Life lessons (lived experiences and how they mold us);

The heroine inside and outside the family etc.

These are just some of the subjects that can be explored and we believe there is a multitude of stories that can be explored within this theme. The ultimate goal is to produce relevant stories that will resonate with audiences today, told from a female perspective and stories that we as a country can recognise ourselves in.

Applications

http://nfvf.co.za/home/index.php?ipkMenuID=&ipkArticleID=185

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

Narrative treatment for one 26 min film including character bible, detailed synopsis, major turning point document.

CV and copy of ID document.

Show-reel.

Closing Date

27 February 2015. All applications must be submitted as hard copies to the National Film and Video Foundation offices, by the closing date.

Address: 87 Central Street, Houghton, Johannesburg

Tel: 011 4830880

All enquiries must be directed to:

Bongiwe Selane - 083 2607929

Or email bongiwe@blingola.co.za

NB: Please note that no email entries will be accepted.

Important Dates

27 February 2015 - Closing date for submissions

30 March 2015- Announcement of top 10 shortlisted submissions

9 and 10 April 2015 - Shortlist presentation to NFVF panel and producers.

http://nfvf.co.za/home/index.php?ipkMenuID=&ipkArticleID=185

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