by Thinus Ferreira
South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Netflix video streaming service are creating a joint R28 million film fund to help with financial support of local filmmakers in the creation of 6 South African micro-budget films.
The NFVF and Netflix South Africa will each contribute R14 million to the fund to commission 6 feature films that will debut exclusively on Netflix, although they will in time have further distribution windows on other platforms as well.
The R28 million fund will be used to help in the creation of 4 feature films with a budget of R4 million each, and 2 films with a budget of R6 million each - so-called "micro-budget" film productions.
"We are excited as the NFVF to be partnering with Netflix and
appreciate their investment into local content," says Makhosazana Khanyile, NFVF CEO, in a statement.
"The incorporation of digital
platforms into our traditional processes can only benefit the industry further.
We hope this is simply the start in what will no doubt be a long and fruitful
relationship."
Ben Amadasun, Netflix's director of content in Africa, says in the statement that "The past year has been incredibly difficult with the pandemic hitting
so many industries around the world".
"The creative community,
that we are a part of, has supported us through the good times so we want to
help them continue to create the stories our members love through the $1
million Covid Relief Fund contribution we started last year in collaboration
with SASFED and IPO to help below-the-line workers in South Africa’s creative
industry."
"Now we’re excited to take this a step further with this joint
fund with the NFVF for above-the-line talent."
Filmmakers will be able to apply for possible funding from 1 April 2021 at a submission portal.
