
Call for Documentary Project: Life and Legacy of the Lion of The Midlands, Harry Themba Gwala has been extended
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), would like to extend the invitation for TIER 1 and 2 filmmakers ONLY, to submit proposals reflecting on the life and legacy of Harry Gwala.
Background:
From 1960, Gwala was involved in the ANC underground. In 1964, he was imprisoned on Robben Island for sabotage and recruiting for Umkhonto we Sizwe. He was released in 1972 but restricted to Pietermaritzburg. There, he established a laundry collection business as a cover for continued ANC activity and attempts to revive the South African Congress of Trade Unions. In 1975, Gwala was arrested again, this time sentenced to life imprisonment under the Terrorism Act.
But when people become conscious of what they want, and are prepared to fight for it, those people are free, because what is freedom, if not as Engels says the realisation of necessity Harry Gwala
The call seeks to award funding to the value of R1 000,000 (1 Million Rand only) for the production of one feature-length documentary in keeping with the theme of commemorating Harry Gwala.
Terms of Reference:
The proposals must demonstrate the promotion of Gwala's values, principles, and aspirations, especially considering his tenacity and fight for justice and equality.
Proposals must have a clear central idea, captivating and compelling story, inspiring character/s, a bold visual style, and accurate representation of Gwala's life.
The film that is produced out of this initiative will have to meet the NFVFs requirements for content that informs, educates, entertains, and offers unique perspectives of this legacy.
Concepts must be production-ready.
Selection Criteria for Projects Proposal
Applications must include:
1 2-page motivation
1-page synopsis
Visual Treatment
Detailed outline
Archive Research Plan
CVs of key creative team with showreel/portfolio of work
Budget
Finance and recoupment plan
Proposed development and production schedule
Marketing and distribution strategy and plan.
Eligibility
In order for a production company to be considered for this opportunity, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
Producer/s must be either a South African citizen or be a permanent resident of South Africa.
51% black-owned and managed companies with a unique proposal.
Tier 1/2 Production Company. This is defined in the NFVF Funding Policy as:
Tier 1 (Experienced filmmakers who have a proven track record for developing and producing 3-5 feature-length documentary films.)
Tier 2 (Filmmakers with limited experience in the film industry, but who have developed and produced 1-2 feature-length films, television fiction and/or, 2-3 documentary short films seeking to venture into feature film development and production)
Production company should demonstrate an understanding of packaging and marketing of documentary films.
Who does not qualify?
Previous recipients of NFVF slate funding including animation slate, documentary slates, youth and female filmmaker project are NOT eligible for this fund.
Individuals and/or Production Companies that have 4 (four) active NFVF funded projects across the value chain i.e., development, production, post-production, marketing and distribution, training, and festival funding support.
Compulsory Requirements:
All applicants must submit the following compulsory documentation:
BBBEE certificate.
Valid Tax Clearance Certificate or Tax Clearance Status Pin Document (not older than one year) *
Recently Certified ID copy (dated certification stamp not older than six months) *
Company registration document
Applicants need to register and complete the online application form using the following link: https://nfvf.praxisgms.co.za/
Failure to submit the above-mentioned compulsory documentations will render the application incomplete and therefore disqualified.
The Closing date for applications is 31 March 2021 at 5PM. Any queries maybe directed to Nadinec@nfvf.co.za
Please note that failure to submit the above-mentioned key and compulsory documentation will render the application incomplete and therefore disqualified.
No late applications will be accepted.
About the NFVF:
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture, was mandated to ensure the equitable growth of the South African film and video industry. The NFVF does this by providing funding for the development, production, marketing, and distribution of films and also 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.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
03/08/2026
SVG's annual TranSPORT conference returns to New York City for a full day of sessions focused on the current state of live-sports-transmission technology. S...
03/08/2026
A five-time Emmy winner, this esports vet has built a production career on live storytelling, audience connection, and meeting viewers wherever they are
The sp...
03/08/2026
Live production in the cloud is a growing trend across the industry and Major Le...
03/08/2026
(L-R) Nyah B., Nala B., Shannon Elizabeth S., Celia K., Olive G., and Nikki B. attend the Q&A for Cookie Queens by Alysa Nahmias, an official selection of the...
03/08/2026
Recreates a 1977 Hohner Clavinet D6
After launching a software recreation of their own electric piano, Rhodes set about capturing another classic instrument...
03/08/2026
A modern solution for an old technique
Peak Tamer is a new standalone application that automatically applies gain automation to keep rogue peaks under cont...
03/08/2026
Plug-in gains object metadata automation export
Sound Particles have just released an update that adds a new Metadata Automation function to their their rec...
03/08/2026
SGL Carbon and X-energy today announced a binding agreement to double SGL's production capacity for medium-grain isotropic graphite ( NBG-18 ), a specialize...
03/08/2026
Glensound will launch the Greater Divine Supernal at PLASA Show 2026, extending its intelligent loudspeaker range for professional studio monitoring and live au...
03/08/2026
How Agua Tinta's Class Project Launched Her Songwriting Career Two years after graduating from Berklee, the songwriter has a Latin Grammy nomination, a So...
03/08/2026
Leiden University's new Campus Spui, located in the heart of The Hague, the diplomatic and administrative centre of the Netherlands, opened in February 2026...
03/08/2026
Bitfocus, the specialist in media control and monitoring, has received a further boost to its plans for continuing growth, particularly in Europe and North Amer...
03/08/2026
Jason Flemyng, Tessa Peake-Jones, Lee Ingleby and Georgia Tennant join the cast ...
03/08/2026
Building on the momentum of a landmark year for soccer in North America, Leagues...
02/08/2026
Classic EQ design goes virtual
Following on from the launch of the 500-series version of their BAX EQ unit, Dangerous Music have now teamed up with modellin...
02/08/2026
The Government's Missing Dimension
This article was originally published on the National Preparedness Commission website on 25 June 2026.
----------------...
01/08/2026
Latest free Vaults instrument released
The Crow Hill Company's Vaults collection offers a continually rotating selection of virtual instruments and samp...
01/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/08/2026
COW Jobs: Lead Generation Representative - Animation Services
Brie Clayton July 31, 2026
0 Comments
Lead Generation Representative - Animation Service...
01/08/2026
Emilie Lowe Shoots Award Winning Short Film Where Dead Things Grow with Blackmag...
01/08/2026
Early Registration Opens for the 2026 SMPTE Media Technology Summit
Brie Clayton July 31, 2026
0 Comments
Initial Program Announced Alongside New Medi...
31/07/2026
With an emphasis on local, the league is looking beyond the initial four teams t...
31/07/2026
The 2026 Sundance Institute Directors Lab fellows in Estes Park, Colorado (Photo by Gabe Rovick)
Dear Friends,
This has been an extraordinary year for our ar...
31/07/2026
Offers 360-degree sound placement in any DAW
Audiocube have just announced the launch of a new plug-in that embeds a complete 3D acoustic environment inside...
31/07/2026
10 new Chinese C-Pop voices introduced
While Sonarworks are best known to many for their room-correction software, their product range also includes an inno...
31/07/2026
Reimagines the vintage BBD sound character
PSPaudioware have now officially launched the new delay plug-in that they were previewing at GearExpo UK. Said to...
31/07/2026
The Savannah Bananas has built its reputation on refusing to play baseball by traditional rules, and the team's production arm Banana Ball TV (BTV) has draf...
31/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
31/07/2026
SMPTE, the home for media professionals, technologists and engineers, today opened early registration for the 2026 Media Technology Summit (MTS) and announced i...
31/07/2026
Clear-Com announced that Central Christian Church has transformed communication across its live production operations by implementing Clear-Com's LQ Seri...
31/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
31/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
31/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
31/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the finalists for the IBC2026 Innovation Awards, recognising collaborative projects from around the world that solve real-world challenges and ...
31/07/2026
From focus puller to colourist
Caroline Shawley July 30, 2026
0 Comments
Ana Mar a Ormaza shares her story of instinct, storytelling and finding a cre...
31/07/2026
Amazon Prime Documentary Andata e Ritorno Relies on Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton July 30, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio and Blackmagic Clou...
31/07/2026
Krotos Launches Video to Sound Plugin for DaVinci Resolve
Brie Clayton July 30, 2026
0 Comments
AI-assisted workflow helps editors add synchronized, p...
31/07/2026
Athletics, Camogie, the Dublin Horse Show, the FAI Cup, Golf, Hockey, the UEFA C...
31/07/2026
Luxembourg, July 31, 2026 - Pursuant to the liquidity contract entered into by SES with BNP Paribas as of 7 April 2026, please see the below update on the progr...
31/07/2026
Luxembourg, July 31, 2026 - SES today published a restatement of its FY2025 EU Taxonomy (Article 8) disclosure. The restatement updates the FY2025 EU Taxonomy d...
31/07/2026
RT Commercial has today announced Mercedes-Benz Ireland will return as the offi...
31/07/2026
RT Supporting the Arts is delighted to spotlight a diverse range of arts, culture and heritage events taking place across Ireland this August. From major festi...