The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), in partnership with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), invites eligible South African producers to apply for an opportunity to attend the European Film Market and participate in the Berlinale Co-Production Market Visitors Programme 2027, taking place in Berlin, Germany, from 10 to 16 February 2027.Important Eligibility Threshold
This opportunity is specifically intended for producers who have produced one completed feature film and at least one completed short film in a substantive producing capacity. The feature film must have been formally released or distributed through a recognised cinema, broadcaster or streaming platform, or officially selected for and screened at a leading Tier 1 film festival.
Applicants who have not yet produced a completed feature film, or who have produced more than one completed feature film, will not be eligible. Applicants who do not meet this threshold should not apply.
Background:
South Africa has been selected as the Country in Focus at the European Film Market (EFM) 2027.
This recognition provides a significant platform to showcase South Africa's diverse storytelling, creative talent, production capacity and potential for international collaboration. The Country in Focus programme will connect South African filmmakers, projects and production companies with international producers, financiers, buyers, sales agents, distributors, broadcasters, streamers and other industry decision-makers.
As part of South Africa's participation as Country in Focus, the NFVF will support ten South African producers to participate in the Berlinale Co-Production Market Visitors Programme.
2. About the Berlinale Co-Production Market: Visitors Programme
The Berlinale Co-Production Market is a key industry platform held as part of the European Film Market. It brings together producers, financiers, sales agents, distributors, broadcasters, funding bodies and other film professionals from around the world.
The Visitors Programme is intended for producers who have established production experience in their local film industries but are not yet internationally experienced. It provides an introduction to the international co-production environment and enables producers to strengthen their knowledge, networks and readiness to pursue international partnerships.
Professional activities include:
Industry Sessions: Focused discussions on co-productions, financing, and distribution strategies in the global film market.
Film Market: Networking and business opportunities with international film professionals.
Masterclasses: Exclusive sessions with industry leaders designed to provide in-depth knowledge on international co-productions.
Networking Events: Opportunities to connect with producers, financiers, and other film industry professionals from around the world.
3. Brief:
The NFVF will select ten South African producers to attend the European Film Market and participate in the Berlinale Co-Production Market Visitors Programme.
The opportunity is intended for producers who have established credible producing experience within the South African film industry but have not yet served as lead producers on completed official international co-productions.
Applicants must have a current or upcoming feature film project with identifiable international co-production potential. They must demonstrate how participation in the programme will support the advancement of the project, their production company and their professional development.
The NFVF will seek to support a nationally representative cohort. Provincial representation, will therefore be prioritised as part of the final selection.
4. Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible, an applicant must:
Be a South African citizen, permanent resident with valid supporting documentation.
Apply through a South African-registered production company.
Be the lead producer or a formally attached producer of the project submitted with the application.
Have produced one completed feature film and at least one completed short film in a producing capacity.
Provide verifiable evidence of their producing role on the completed feature film and short film(s).
Demonstrate that the completed feature film has been formally released or distributed through a recognised cinema, broadcaster, streaming platform, or officially selected and screened at a leading tier 1 film festival such as Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, TIFF, Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, Locarno, San Sebasti n, Busan, Karlovy Vary, Tokyo, Shanghai, Tallinn Black Nights, Annecy, Hot Docs, IDFA, FESPACO, DIFF, Encounters, Silwerskerm, CTIAF or Joburg Film Festival.
Have a current or upcoming feature film project with identifiable international co-production potential.
Hold the rights or necessary authority to represent and negotiate the submitted project.
Be in good standing with the NFVF and compliant with all obligations relating to current and previous NFVF funding.
5. Exclusions/Ineligibility:
Applicants will not be eligible if they:
Do not meet the required experience threshold of one completed feature film and at least one completed short film.
Have produced more than one completed feature film.
Have previously served as a producer on a completed international co-production.
Have previously received NFVF support to participate in the Berlinale Co-Production Market Visitors Programme.
Are not in good standing with the NFVF.
Submit a late or incomplete application
6. Required Documents:
6.1 A one-page letter of motivation outlining why you should be selected to attend the Berlinale Co-Production Market 2026 and how this opportunity will benefit your career.
6. 2 A project pitch deck or description of no more than three pages for a current or upcoming feature film with identifiable international co-pro
