The EDiT initiative has always sought to recognize emerging talent in the TV industry. To date it has always accepted entries from films made independently at various institutions, which have not been released in theatres.
In 2006, EDiT is casting a wider net by additionally allowing all aspiring filmmakers to enter their completed original short films from 1 April 2006. Successful entrants, whose short films are accepted for exhibition on www.mnet.co.za will be notified by 30 June 2006. The films will go live online on 1 July 2006, so people can log on and view the cream of the entries. They will then be able to vote online, determining which films will be broadcast on M-Net in October 2006.
Viewers will be able to rate the material online. These ratings will be combined with those of an M-Net panel to determine the top three films, which will receive their awards in early 2007.
Commissioning Editor Bongiwe Selane believes that the EDiT Online Festival will inspire South African filmmakers. “Our industry is really buzzing at the moment, after Tsotsi’s success at the Oscars, so this festival provides a great opportunity for anyone with a great film idea to get their work out there,” she says.
The top three films will be awarded R50 000, R25 000 and R15 000 respectively.
The Deadline for entries to arrive at M-Net’s offices in Randburg, along with the signed application form, is Monday 30 June 2006. Only original short films that are ready for broadcast will be considered, and they must have rights cleared (including worldwide broadband). There is no minimum duration for the films, but they should not be longer than thirty minutes. Only films accompanied by an application form (release) will be considered.
Eligibile formats for exhibition include Beta SP (only Pal), DVD or DVCam.
PLEASE SEND YOUR FILM/MATERIAL TO:
The EDiT Online Film Festival
Attention: Henriette de Villers
M-Net
137 Hendrik Verwoerd Drive
Randburg 2194
Gauteng
or check out www.mnet.co.za for more information.
