NFVF CALL FOR PROPOSALS: YOUTH FILMMAKER PROJECT FACILITATING COMPANY 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites eligible Tier 1 and 2 South African production companies to submit proposals to serve as the Facilitating Production Company for the Youth Filmmaker Project for a period of three (3) years. This initiative forms part of the NFVF’s mandate to advance transformation, skills development, and access to opportunities for filmmakers within the youth demographic (18 – 35 years old) in the South African film industry.

The selected production company will be responsible for the management, implementation and delivery of the programme, including the training, development, mentorship and the production of short films by emerging youth filmmakers.

Applicants are encouraged to propose a distinctive, practical and impactful programme model that responds to the objectives and minimum requirements of this call.

Background

The Youth Filmmaker Project is a national initiative intended to bridge the gap between film education and professional industry practice. It provides emerging filmmakers, particularly those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented provinces, with structured mentorship, practical production experience and the opportunity to make an early professional short film.

The programme seeks to nurture new South African writers and directors by providing the creative, technical and production support required to strengthen their storytelling, understand the professional production environment and establish sustainable career pathways within the screen industry.

The programme will be supported by a broadcast partnership with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), providing participating filmmakers with the opportunity to reach national audiences and gain exposure for their work. The SABC will hold a five-year broadcast licence for the completed films structured as follows:

• Years 1–2: Exclusive broadcast licence

• Years 3–5: Non-exclusive broadcast licence

Applicants should take this arrangement into account when proposing distribution strategies or additional partnerships.

Programme Overview

• Programme duration: Three years.
• Total programme allocation: R12,375,000.
• Annual allocation: R4,125,000.
• Annual development target: 10 youth filmmakers.
• Annual production target: 8 completed live-action fiction short films.
• Film duration: 23–25 minutes per film.
• Geographic scope: National. The recruitment process must demonstrate credible, targeted and equitable outreach across all nine provinces, including rural areas and communities outside the main film and television centers. Selection will be merit-based and the NFVF does not prescribe a fixed provincial quota. However, applicants must demonstrate how the proposed recruitment and selection approach will actively advance meaningful geographic diversity in the final cohort.
• Target participants: Emerging South African writers and directors aged 18–35.

The appointment will be subject to the conclusion of an NFVF funding agreement and satisfactory performance throughout the programme period.

Objectives

The objectives of the Youth Filmmaker Project are:

• To nurture, support and promote emerging filmmakers in South Africa through structured training and mentorship
• To provide practical opportunities for emerging filmmakers to develop and produce short films
• To identify and develop regionally diverse storytelling voices
• To strengthen participants’ pathways into sustainable careers in the screen industry.
• To contribute to the long-term transformation and sustainability of the industry

Scope of Work

The appointed Facilitating Production Company will be responsible for the design, management and implementation of the programme. Applicants must propose a credible approach to delivering the programme, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Recruiting and selecting youth filmmakers nationally through a merit-based process
• Ensuring meaningful reach across all nine provinces and equitable participation by selected filmmakers, regardless of where they live;
• Shortlisted candidates will be selected alongside the NFVF and relevant project partners,
• Developing participants’ creative, technical and professional skills;
• Structuring mentorship and access to appropriate industry practitioners;
• Supporting projects from concept development through production and final delivery;
• Managing the programme budget, governance, reporting, monitoring and risks;
• Delivering completed films and associated marketing materials
• Identifying marketing, festival and distribution opportunities for the completed films
• Submitting regular programme and financial reports to the NFVF.
• The programme is intended as a filmmaker development initiative. The Facilitating Production Company must ensure that participating filmmakers remain actively involved in the creative development and production of their films and are supported through mentorship and professional guidance throughout the programme.