The Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality’s film
industry development unit, has announced that applications are now open for its
Festivals and Markets Support Programme.
eThekwini film-makers are invited to submit applications for
funding to support their efforts to attend national and international film
markets or festivals to which they have been invited to develop their projects
or screen films.
“One of the aims of the DFO is to support the promotion of
locally based films,” explains Toni Monty, Head of the DFO. “Often one of the
barriers for film-makers to the development of their projects or the promotion
of their films, is mobility. This programme provides funds to help them pay for
accommodation and travel to be able to attend these events, and in some
appropriate cases to assist with marketing materials to do so.
The Durban Film Office festival and market support programme
will sponsor up to a maximum R25,000 in associated costs per project annually.
Applicants may apply for sponsorship of flight, accommodation, registration
fees and marketing materials to be used for a festival or market.
The programme is available to eThekwini film-makers only.
Only individuals or production houses that have been officially invited to
screen their film in a film festival or present a film project in development
at an official co-production market, may apply.
“Film-makers are always looking at how they can network, and
grow new markets for their work, or develop their ideas and projects. In order
to do this, they need to be operating on a bigger level with producers,
financiers and other film-makers on a global level as well. By attending
markets and festivals, film-makers are opened up to opportunities that can
possibly provide a “next-level” for them for example, distribution deals,
script assistance, financial investment and other relevant support. We look
forward to seeing this programme will help nurture and grow local talent, and
to see just how valuable these opportunities are for the growth of the local
industry,” says Monty.
There are strict criteria that need to be met and all
interested parties are urged to familiarise themselves with these criteria
which is available on the DFO website – www.durbanfilmoffice.co.za
- prior to application to avoid disappointment.
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