Producer Jeremy Nathan (Zidaka) and AFDA School of Film and Dramatic Art are
looking for writers and directors of 20 x 52 minute films. Together, they will
produce the 20 films as well as 10 x 6 minute webisodes of each film.
These films will be screened on Star Times SA, and the webisodes on the new video-on-demand (VOD) mobile channel, Good TV, towards the end of 2016.
In a statement issued by AFDA, the producers said: “We are looking for a new
generation of filmmakers. You can have just finished studying at a film school, or
been working in the industry for a few years. We are looking for filmmakers with a
unique “cinematic voice’. You should not have directed either a TV series, or a
feature film before.’
Concept:
Zidaka and AFDA will produce 20 films of 52 minutes in length each.
The films will be ultra low budget in nature and style, but the brief states that this should be seen as an opportunity rather than a limitation. This project will make up a complete first season.
All current available digital technology will be utilised in the production of the films,
which will be high quality but low cost. Applicants can shoot their films on a mobile
phone if they wish.
Each production will be limited to a schedule as follows:
Writing and development: Three months
Pre-production: Four weeks
Shoot: One week
Picture editing: Four weeks
Sound edit and mix: Two weeks
Each film will be restricted to a small crew (maximum seven people) and cast
(three or four), few locations and limited equipment. Animation, science fiction
(unless it can be done under these rules), current affairs and documentary films are
not permitted.
After completing the writing phase, each team of selected filmmakers will present their pre-production and shooting plan, as well as their creative ideas, in a
one-on-one presentation. You are encouraged to pitch with your creative teams
attached – Heads of Department.
The producers will manage all of the post-production, through unified technology
and facilities, ensuring overall quality of all the films. This will be done in partnership with AFDA as a transition into the profession – an opportunity for alumni and an internship platform for Honours, as well as an assistant opportunity for the Higher Certificate programme. Additionally, the producers will work with AFDA to provide several interns and assistants from their 3rd and 4th year students for each film.
Emerging young directors and writers, DOPs and sound teams, art directors and cast will be favoured. Filmmakers under the age of 30 are preferred.
The project calls for stories by filmmakers in and set in, the following countries,
areas and regions:
Port Elizabeth/East London/Eastern Cape: Two
Durban/KwaZulu-Natal: Three
Johannesburg/Gauteng: Six
Cape Town: Four
Botswana: Three
Mauritius: Two
Creative:
The themes that will bind the films together are:
1. Summer – LOVE
2. Autumn – MUSIC
3. Winter – FOOD
4. Spring – WOMEN
Each filmmaker will need to explore, in their own way, each of the above themes,
in an entertaining and achievable manner.
Submissions must be made in Word or PDF, as follows:
Two or three page (maximum) synopsis as follows:
• CV – maximum one page
• One page motivation stating why you want to be part of this initiative
• Link to previous work
• Your contact details
Deadline for submissions is on 1 April 2016. The final selection of projects will be
announced on 18 April.
Submit your projects to:
Attention: Nomzamo Nkhukhu
Email: production2@zidaka.co.za
Telephone: (011) 260 6371
