The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission
(KZNFC) and Natives at Large in association with Jungle Works, have extended the
application period for the Youth Filmmaker Project 2016 to 26 January. The Youth Filmmaker 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-month period. These
six months will involve working independently and through participation at 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 scripts 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:
• 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 (approximately 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 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-minute
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.
Submitted synopses must give a strong sense that the film’s plot 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:
• A detailed synopsis for one 24 minutes film (not more than two to three pages). DO NOT SUBMIT SCRIPTS.
• CV and certified copy of ID document.
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
