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Thursday, August 19, 2021

NFVF LAUNCH OF THUTHUKA FUND

Co-Development fund valued at over R1.4 million per year in total, supporting projects that will be developed in South Africa and Netherlands over a three-year period

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce the launch of the Thuthuka Co-Development Fund that is valued at over R1.4 million per year in collaboration with the Netherlands Film Fund. In total, four projects will be supported each year which will consist of two films from South Africa and the Netherlands respectively.

Following on from a Co-production Treaty that was signed with the Netherlands in December, 2015, and subsequent various collaborations, the Thuthuka Co-Development Fund will finance fiction and non-fiction feature films, which will include documentaries and animation. South Africa and the Netherlands will each contribute over R700,000 to the fund, respectively, annually. The co-development fund will be yet another opportunity that will enable the NFVF to deliver on its mandate to promote the South African Film industry locally and internationally.

The NFVF is constantly on the look-out for opportunities that contribute to the growth of the film industry and create an enabling environment for South African producers.

Makhosazana Khanyile, CEO of the NFVF stated, “The word “Thuthuka” means “to develop” and as an agency mandated to create equitable growth for the film industry, partnerships like this are another way in which we remain committed to ensuring we bring life to meaningful collaborations.

“The Co-production Treaty between the Netherlands and South Africa is very active with at least one project produced annually since it came into effect in 2016. We hope the fund will signify new beginnings in the growth and development of our film industries and creating culturally specific stories while opening us up to the global markets. It is envisaged that the fund will ensure that creative input is mutually shared between filmmakers from the two countries.

“We encourage all filmmakers in accordance with the eligibility criteria to apply when the call is open,” adds Khanyile.

More information about the fund will be available on www.nfvf.co.za and their social media pages @nfvfsa for Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook when the application process has been finalised.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture that was created to ensure the equitable growth of South Africa's film and video industry. The NFVF does this by providing funding for the development, production, marketing, and distribution of films and the training and development of filmmakers. In addition, the NFVF commissions research and produces industry statistics that provide both the public and stakeholders with valuable insights into the South African film industry.

For further information contact Lerato Mokopanele, Acting Marketing and Communications Manager, National Film & Video Foundation on 081 366 3880 or email: Leratom@nfvf.co.za