
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 ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
30/03/2026
Manifold Technologies, a Germany-based provider of cloud infrastructure for live broadcast production, will demonstrate support for 400GbE COTS FPGA accelerator...
30/03/2026
Boland Communications will introduce its QD4K315HDR10, a 31.5-inch QD-OLED monitor, at NAB Show 2026 (Booth C3519, April 18-22). The company is also introducing...
30/03/2026
PTZOptics will demonstrate its Move 4K PTZ cameras and Horizon web-based control platform at NAB Show 2026 (Booth N1902).
Move 4K with Horizon is now available...
30/03/2026
Net Insight will demonstrate the next version of Nimbra Edge, its orchestration and control layer for live media services across multi-domain environments, at N...
30/03/2026
Appear ASA will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W1531, April 19-22, Las Vegas). The company completed an IPO in November 2025.
Our customer-first approach is ...
30/03/2026
Harmonic has announced new capabilities for its sports streaming platform, covering multiview, programmatic advertising, in-stream advertising, and content wate...
30/03/2026
Ateme (Booth W1723) will demonstrate broadcast, streaming, and AI-driven media workflow solutions at NAB Show 2026.
GenAI and Agentic AI
Ateme will demonstrat...
30/03/2026
Bitmovin has announced new capabilities for Player Web X, its web video player, ...
30/03/2026
The 2026 NAB Show (April 18-22, exhibits April 19-22, Las Vegas Convention Center) will host Brazil's Minister of Communications, Frederico de Siqueira Filh...
30/03/2026
EVS will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth N1841), highlighting new products and updates across its live production portfolio, including the debut of T-Motion med...
30/03/2026
Solid State Logic will demonstrate its virtualized System T platform at NAB Show 2026 (Booth C6907). Demonstrations will include the VTE1 virtual DSP engine, ne...
30/03/2026
Globecast will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W3335), highlighting its hybrid service model spanning satellite, IP, fiber, and cloud.
The company will demonst...
30/03/2026
The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA), and the Video Services Forum (VSF) have announced that the IP Showcase w...
30/03/2026
At NAB Show 2026 BBright will present a demonstration of its One Stream for the World concept, showing how a single ST 2110 playout stream can simultaneously ...
30/03/2026
OpenDrives will demonstrate new products at NAB Show 2026, with two locations in the West Hall: a pod (W3443-E) in the Sports Business Hub and a cabana at W1158...
30/03/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and repo...
30/03/2026
The economics of live sports streaming have changed. New rights models, cloud production tools, and lower-cost distribution have made it possible for high schoo...
30/03/2026
MPE-capable chamber strings library announced
Alongside their collection of Kontakt instruments, Sonora Cinematic have been steadily introducing a series of...
30/03/2026
Latin-inspired percussion instrument announced
Built on a newly developed engine and interface, UJAM's latest instrument has been designed to create Lat...
30/03/2026
Latest Eduardo Tarilonte collaboration announced
The latest library to join Best Service's ever-growing range includes four solo wind instruments that c...
30/03/2026
We want to hear from you!
Complete our SOS Quick Survey and enter the prize draw for a chance to win one of three $50 Amazon vouchers!
Sound On Sound carri...
30/03/2026
CC-330 Husky. 2024 Eric Desbiens Photography.
Used with permission for the announcement and related communications. No residual rights....
30/03/2026
L3Harris Technologies will provide WESCAM CMX -8 sensor systems for integration on new Uncrewed Aircraft Systems from MDA Space, enhancing the Royal Canadian Na...
30/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/03/2026
Synamedia today announced that Mileto Tecnologia, one of Brazil's largest pay-TV operators, has chosen the Synamedia Go platform to support its rapid OTT ex...
30/03/2026
FOR-A's Software-Defined, AI-Powered Development Advances with Nippon TV and...
30/03/2026
Give Your Astrophotography REAL Depth - After Effects Tutorial
Graham Quince March 30, 2026
0 Comments
In this tutorial, I talk you through the full w...
30/03/2026
Alfalite returns to NAB Show alongside FOR-A, showcasing LED solutions for broad...
30/03/2026
Introducing WO Aurora WideOrbit is pleased to introduce WO Aurora, a new name fo...
30/03/2026
Sky welcomes Karen Blackett CBE to its DAC and thanks Baroness Prashar and Ndidi Okezie as they step down after five yearsMonday 30 March 2026
Sky announces ch...
30/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces the Reunion for Love is Blind: Sweden Season...
30/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix unveils new images from the second season of Gangs of Galicia
Entertainment
30 March 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Do...
30/03/2026
Back to All News
The Latest on Netflix Anime, Unveiled at AnimeJapan 2026
Entertainment
30 March 2026
GlobalJapan
Link copied to clipboard
From romance an...
30/03/2026
Leading Taiwan Broadband Operator Drives Fiber Deeper with Harmonic SAN JOSE, Calif. - March 30, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that KBRO, a lea...
30/03/2026
Tyngsboro, Mass., March 30, 2026 - City councils, county commissions, school boa...
29/03/2026
Cloud-based production, real-time engagement, and creator-driven storytelling ai...
28/03/2026
Now features DiGiCo console integration
Harrison's live recording and virtual soundcheck software has just reached its third major version, which among ...
28/03/2026
MPE-capable chamber strings library announced
Alongside their collection of Kontakt instruments, Sonora Cinematic have been steadily introducing a series of...
28/03/2026
Globecast, the leading provider of broadcast, media and entertainment managed services, will showcase its reimagined approach to media operations at the 2026 NA...
28/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
27/03/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
27/03/2026
Comcast Business deployed network infrastructure for the 2026 PLAYERS Championsh...
27/03/2026
Czech production company CS live has equipped its newest outside broadcast van w...