The Youth Filmmaker Project stems from a partnership between the National Film
and Video Foundation (NFVF), the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission (KZNFC), and
Natives at Large in association with Jungle Works.
The project is an intervention by the NFVF, to provide recent graduates of film
schools, particularly those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, with an
opportunity to make their first professional fiction film in collaboration with
mentors/producers Ramadan Suleman, Neville Josie and Bhekizizwe Peterson.
Based on the strength of submitted synopses, short listed candidates will be invited
to an interview. After the interview process fifteen participants will be selected to
join the story and script development workshops over a six months period. These
six months will involve working independently and through participation at the
workshops. Attendance to all workshops is compulsory. Finally ten of the strongest
scripts will be selected to go into production in 2016. The successful projects and
teams will then be provided with a directing mentor and a professional production
crew to shoot their film.
The story and script development process will include 5 x 3 day mandatory
residential workshops between the months of February 2016 and June 2016 with
facilitators and mentors working on developing the script with the participants. The
process encourages writers to hone their approach to story and eventually direct
their films or partner with a first time director/graduate. During the pre-production
process, each director will also be provided with the necessary tools to break down
scripts for camera as well as detailed strategies for extracting the best
performances from the actors.
Natives At Large in association with Jungle Works will produce the films. The
mentoring process will continue during production, editing, post-production to final
delivery of the film.
Eligibility
In order for a filmmaker to be considered for this opportunity, the applicant must
meet the following requirements:
• Have graduated from film school no more than two years ago.
• Have studied in one or more disciplines including (but not exclusive to)
writing, directing, editing, cinematography or producing.
• Be a historically disadvantaged individual as defined in the constitution of
South Africa.
• Be able to set aside the requisite time over a period of 14 months to complete
the programme.
Selection criteria
Eligible candidates for the project must:
• Have a strong written concept for a short (approx. 24 minutes) standalone
film with a clearly thought out premise or controlling idea that would allow it to be
packaged with the other projects.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the tools of scriptwriting including software.
• Demonstrate a willingness and ability to work with others in pursuit of the
same objective.
• Be able to work under pressure and tight schedules.
Short-listed submissions will be invited to present their proposal in person.
Theme
The series of films that will be produced need to be packaged as a cohesive series,
and in order to achieve this, writers must submit their story idea for a 24 minutes
fiction film under the theme “SA 2030′.
“We, the people of South Africa, have journeyed far since the long lines of our first
democratic election on 27 April 1994, when we elected a government for us all. We
began to tell a new story then. We have lived and renewed that story along the
way. Now in 2030 we live in a country which we have remade. Our new story is
open ended with temporary destinations, only for new paths to open up once more.
It is a story of unfolding learning. Even when we flounder, we remain hopeful. In
this story, we always arrive and depart.’ – An excerpt from South Africa’s National
Development Plan’s vision statement.
The synopsis of the story that candidates submit must give a strong sense that it is
unfolding in South Africa in 2030. The story can be hopeful or pessimistic but should
be driven by strong characters with clear needs and wants. The synopsis of the
story and the ideas presented should also indicate that you have thought about and
researched the subject matter.
Applications
All applications should be able to provide the following documentation for
consideration:
• Not more than a two to three pages detailed synopsis for one 24 minutes film.
DO NOT SUBMIT SCRIPTS.
• CV and certified copy of ID document.
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is 8 January 2016. All applications must be
submitted electronically to yfilmproject2016@gmail.com.
All enquiries must be directed to:
Natives At Large, Nonkhululeko Dube: 011 782 1552 /1453
or
NFVF, Xolelwa Mayatula (Production & Development Co-ordinator): 011 483
0880
