
Invitation to submit proposals for the NFVF/Netflix Micro Budget Films Project.
The NFVF and Netflix release the call for Micro-budget fiction films.
The closing date for submissions is 07 May 2021.
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport Arts and Culture and Netflix in association with Indigenous Film Distribution, are proud to announce that the call for micro-budget film proposals is officially open. This collaboration looks to create new opportunities for emerging filmmakers in the local film industry after many productions have had to cancel or postpone due to COVID-19 and the nationwide lockdown. The aim of this fund is to help alleviate the pressure filmmakers face to raise funding and will assist in the alleviation of low job creation currently faced by the sector.
This partnership will fund 6 micro-budget feature films at 100% of the production budgets. Specific attention will be paid to creatives who have at least 2 short films and venturing into their first and second time as feature writers, directors and producers. Preference will be given to compelling, character-driven narratives in genres that are original and demonstrate a filmmaker's unique vision. Films should also be culturally-authentic with a global appeal.
All projects should be at final stages of development.
DEFINITIONS:
Micro Budget film - A motion picture shot within tight financial parameters, usually with minimal cast, crew, and equipment.
Fiction An audio-visual production which places an emphasis on an imaginary account of a story. It may be based on fact or adapted from a literary or other work.
Feature film - A motion picture with a minimum run time of 80 minutes and a maximum run time of 120 minutes.
Emerging Filmmaker - Women and Youth filmmakers (writers, director, producers, DOPs) working on their first or second time feature films, these filmmakers must have a body of work (shorts films, 1 features) that shows their artistic style and vision.
Tier 1 - Experienced filmmakers with a proven track record for developing and producing 3-5 theatrically-released feature films.
Tier 2 - Filmmakers with limited experience but have developed and produced 1-2 theatrical feature films, television fiction, documentaries, 2-3 short films and/or commercials seeking to venture into feature film development and production.
Tier 3 - New entrants into the industry, particularly recent film school graduates from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. This intervention is geared towards first time filmmakers having a calling card in the film industry.
BUDGET:
Stream one: Films @ R4 000 000 Cap: Feature Films by emerging talent. [Tier 2 or Tier 3 talent]
Stream two: Films @ R6 000 000 Cap: Only eligible for established filmmakers with a minimum of two features [Tier 1 or Tier 2 talent]
APPLICATIONS:
Applications must include the following Creative information:
Brief project summary (maximum 5 pages) that includes Synopsis, Logline, Genre, Target market
Fiction: Full Script (at final draft).
CVs of the key creative: Producer, Director, Writer, DOP, Editor, and Leading Cast.
Letter of intent from director
Producer's notes.
Director's Treatment (maximum 20 pages).
Detailed budget (Amounts to be spent at pre-production, production, and post-production) and Cash Flow.
Production schedule
A document explaining the stage at which the project has reached as of the date of this application and identify its needs in terms of production (max 600 words).
Applications must include the following Administrative information:
Tax Clearance
Certified ID copy (6 months)
Company registration / or SPV is applicable.
BBBEE Certificate
A list of the films/ audio-visual projects produced by company/ies.
Links of the director's previous work
Chain of title documentation/ Contracts proving the acquisition of necessary rights (e.g. option contract, script writer's contract, music etc.).
Interested parties are invited to apply online: click here or https://nfvf.praxisgms.co.za/
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Late submissions will not be considered.
Projects that do not meet the criteria will not be considered.
Projects that do not have developed scripts will not be considered.
Companies that have been awarded NFVF production funding can not apply with the same project.
Slate beneficiaries are not eligible.
Budgets that are above the capped amounts will not be considered. Filmmakers must tier themselves correctly.
The parties reserve the right to require other documentation from applicants for the completion of the assessment of the project.
Applications open 1 April 2021
Applications will close on 07 May 2021.
Kindly email all application queries to Applications@nfvf.co.za and all content queries to Refiloe Hlabioa at refiloeh@nfvf.co.za or Nadine Cloete at nadinec@nfvf.co.za
DISCLAIMER
All funding is subject to the approval of all three parties (NFVF, Netflix and Indigenous Film Distribution). Selected films will be licensed exclusively to Netflix for a period to be determined by the partners.
End:
About NFVF
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 Africas film and video industry. The NFVF does this by providing funding for the development, production, marketing, and distribution of films and 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.
About Netflix
Netflix is the worlds leading streaming entertainment service with 204 million paid memberships in over 190 countr
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
22/10/2026
IBC today announced the official call for Challenge submissions for its 2027 Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, inviting organisations from across the glob...
22/10/2026
Leading video software provider, Synamedia, today announced that Odido, one of the Netherlands' leading telecommunications providers, has selected its award...
22/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/10/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-Scripps Research today announced that Ron Burkle, founder and managing partner of The Yucaipa Companies, has been named chair of its Board of Direc...
22/10/2026
Sonnet Updates Popular Echo III PCIe Card Expansion Chassis Family with Thunderb...
22/10/2026
Blackmagic Design Announces Special Pricing for DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton October 21, 2026
0 Comments
Now customers can upgrade to the power...
22/10/2026
Former State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy brings a scientific perspective to Ireland's last witch trial in a new one-hour documentary airing Thursday 29 Oct...
22/10/2026
Lock in and load out this GFN Thursday. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 arrives o...
21/10/2026
Three investigative journalists have been chosen as the finalists for the 2026 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award. The successful candidates from Nigeria...
21/10/2026
The lifelong Terps fan is making the most of his dream school, producing and directing broadcasts while gaining professional reps across the Washington, DC, spo...
21/10/2026
University of Washington Intercollegiate Athletics has brought its new Sundodger...
21/10/2026
The Pac 12 has appointed its first ever Chief Commercial & Growth Officer, compl...
21/10/2026
The Wildcats' $875 million home blends an intimate 35,000-seat design with 3...
21/10/2026
M-Tron Select & Axxess free until 1 December 2026
Soft synth gurus GForce Software have just announced that they are relaunching with updated branding, a fr...
21/10/2026
A simplified approach to multiband compression
DDMF's latest plug-in has been designed to simplify the process of applying multiband compression, and in...
21/10/2026
Full-size keys, more controls and XYZ touch matrix.
Arturia have announced the release of MiniFreak 49, a larger version of their six-voice hybrid synthesiz...
21/10/2026
SBS appoints Kathryn Fink as Chief Content Officer in new executive structure
21 October, 2026
Media releases
SBS has announced a new executive structure a...
21/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/10/2026
Clear-Com is debuting the Mentrix panel at NAB Show New York (Booth 739) today. Combining physical controls with a touchscreen interface, Mentrix is designed ...
21/10/2026
Amagi, the media industry cloud company, today announced a strategic partnership with Sistemas de Video Comunicaci n S.A. (SVC) to expand access to its cloud-ba...
21/10/2026
Lipsie Launches LipsieSync, a Human-First AI Dubbing Workflow for Multilingual V...
21/10/2026
Mayday Parade Music Video Shot with Blackmagic PYXIS 12K
Brie Clayton October 20, 2026
0 Comments
Multi scale sensor allows DP to capture 12K, 8K and ...
21/10/2026
USS Defiant Pulse Phasers in After Effects - No Plugins!
Graham Quince October 20, 2026
0 Comments
I love the USS Defiant from Star Trek: Deep Space N...
21/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/10/2026
Governments need modern solutions to serve the public while keeping sensitive information under their control.
Open models provide a path forward, letting gove...
21/10/2026
Weather forecasts shape more than daily plans; timely weather information is cru...
21/10/2026
European retailers are using open models and physical intelligence across use cases - from a commerce platform cutting inference costs by 90% to to a fulfillmen...
21/10/2026
Companies around the world are building on the NVIDIA DSX AI Factory Platform to plan, simulate and run the grid and the AI factory as one system, from the subs...
21/10/2026
To help developers rapidly build world models, which help physical AI systems understand and simulate the real world, NVIDIA has expanded the Cosmos platform wi...
21/10/2026
At GTC Berlin, banks, payment companies and financial data providers are showing...
21/10/2026
Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over returns for a seventh series in 2027, with Stacey Dooley MBE getting exclusive access to the homes and lives of Kerry Katona, Lauryn G...
21/10/2026
Expansion builds on broadcasters successful FAST launch and grows portfolio to 12 channels
New channels dedicated to iconic brands including Top Gear, EastEnde...
21/10/2026
Comscore Launches New Monthly Report Highlighting Ad Exposure Figures Across Tel...
21/10/2026
Since 2012, Saorsat has provided coverage in areas where Saorview reception may be challenged. Services from RT , TG4 and Oireachtas TV are currently available ...
21/10/2026
NVIDIA builds tools to enable safe agents across the stack. The NVIDIA OpenShell...
21/10/2026
NVIDIA cuDSS, launched today in general availability, is an NVIDIA CUDA-X librar...
21/10/2026
To increase productivity, accelerate innovation and create new opportunities for...
21/10/2026
Demand from AI-natives is pulling the European AI cloud ecosystem forward faster...
21/10/2026
General availability of the instances is coming next month, with planned expansi...
21/10/2026
At GTC Berlin, NVIDIA is showcasing its full lineup of local AI hardware. RTX Spark, which launched last week, powers personal agents on Windows PCs; DGX Spark ...
20/10/2026
Sony's Beyond Sports technology will power real-time animation of the game, ...
20/10/2026
The NBA is putting on a full-court press when it comes to digital offerings this year, and that includes some great new features on the NBA App as well as a new...
20/10/2026
Testing what works is an important part of developing successful fan engagement....