Call for Applications: South African Producers to Participate in the Producers Spotlight at the Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM) 2027

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites eligible South African producers to apply for selection to the South African Producers Spotlight, presented as part of South Africa’s designation as the European Film Market’s Country in Focus in 2027. The programme will take place in Berlin, Germany, from 10 to 16 February 2027.

Important Eligibility Threshold

This opportunity is intended for experienced South African producers who have produced or co-produced at least two completed feature films or two completed episodic series in a substantive producing capacity. The productions must have been formally released, broadcast, streamed or distributed, or officially selected for and screened at a leading Tier 1 film festival. Verifiable evidence must be provided.

Applicants must also have a suitably developed project or slate with international potential and a portion of the required financing secured.

Applicants who do not meet these minimum requirements should not apply.

1. 1.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 Producers Spotlight programme.

• About the Producers Spotlight

The Producers Spotlight is intended to:

• Showcase the creative and commercial strength, diversity and international potential of South African producers and production companies.
• Introduce compelling South African projects and slates to international partners and decision-makers.
• Facilitate opportunities for co-production, financing, sales, distribution, commissioning and other forms of international collaboration.
• Strengthen the international networks of participating producers.
• Create opportunities for sustained collaboration between the South African film industry and the global screen sector.

Applications are open to producers applying through a South African-owned and registered production company.

The producer will be the principal participant and must be authorised to represent the production company and the submitted project or slate.

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• Be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee with valid supporting documentation.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a producer, lead producer or co-producer attached to a South African production company with a demonstrable track record in the film and television industry.
• Have produced or co-produced, in a substantive producing capacity, at least two completed feature films or two completed episodic series that have been formally released, broadcast, streamed or distributed, or officially selected and presented at a recognised national or international festival or market, including Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, TIFF, Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, Locarno, San Sebastián, Busan, Karlovy Vary, Tokyo, Shanghai, Tallinn Black Nights, Annecy, Hot Docs, IDFA, FESPACO, DIFF, Encounters, Silwerskerm, CTIAF, Joburg Film Festival or Series Mania. Verifiable evidence must be provided.
• Provide verifiable evidence of their producing role and the formal release, broadcast, distribution or festival history of the completed productions.
• Hold, or be able to demonstrate access to, the rights and authority required to present and negotiate the submitted project or slate.
• Have a project or slate that is sufficiently developed to benefit from international market engagement.
• Have secured a portion of the financing required for the submitted project and provide documentary evidence of the secured financing.
• Demonstrate a clear need for and objective at the EFM.
• Be in good standing with the NFVF where the applicant or production company has previously received NFVF support.

Only one producer per production company may apply.

4. Eligible Formats and Project Stages

Projects may be submitted in the following formats:

• Fiction feature films.
• Feature-length documentaries.
• Animated feature films.
• Animated series.
• Scripted episodic series.

Projects must be in:

• Advanced development.
• Financing.