THUTHUKA CO-DEVELOPMENT FUND

The Netherlands and South Africa extend their joint funding venture, Thuthuka Co-Development Fund

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has announced the extension of the co-development fund between the Netherlands and South Africa, called the Thuthuka Co-Development Fund, until the year 2025 at the Durban Film Mart. In line with the existing joint efforts to enhance the cooperation between South Africa and the Netherlands, the Thuthuka Co-Development Fund’s objective is to jointly provide selective script support for feature-length film and documentary projects with South African and Dutch-related content.

The Thuthuka Co-Development Fund was launched in 2021 following a Co-Production Treaty was signed by South Africa with the Netherlands in December 2015 which is aimed at supporting projects that are potentially of high cinematographic quality and of interest to cinema audiences in both countries as well as international cinema audiences and film festivals.

The NFVF and the Netherlands Film Fund (NFF), who are the custodians of this co-development funding, will support four projects each year. The support will consist of feature (animated) films and documentaries. The annual budget of the fund, as a rule, is up to 160 000 EUR. The NFF and the NFVF will each contribute 80 000 EUR to the fund. The NFVF will match the equivalent of 80 000 EUR in South African Rands, subject to currency fluctuations.

“This extension is a great boost to the South African and Dutch film industries, and it is a true testament to what is possible when we collaborate across borders to tell authentic stories,“ says Ms Thobela Mayinje, the NFVF Acting CEO. Mayinje says that the Thuthuka Co-Development Fund ensures that quality productions from both countries make it into the world stage, for film festivals and global broadcasting platforms.

“At the Dutch Film Fund we strongly believe in international cooperation. With the Thuthuka Co-Development Fund we focus on strengthening the cultural connection between South Africa and the Netherlands by supporting talented filmmakers such as Teboho Edkins and Aryan Kaganof and many more.

Sandra den Hamer, the Netherlands Film Fund Acting CEO, adds: “The Thuthuka Co-Development Fund started as a development fund in 2022 and we do hope to extend our support and collaboration with our South African partners also into the field of production and distribution to make sure these urgent stories are made and seen.”

The Thuthuka Co-Development Fund will open applications this September on the www.filmfonds.nl and www.nfvf.co.za websites, respectively.

 

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is an agency of the Department of Sport, 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 stakeholders with valuable insights into the South African film industry. For more information visit www.nfvf.co.za

 

The Netherlands Film Fund (NFF) is the national agency responsible for supporting film production and film related activities in the Netherlands. Its focus is to develop and strengthen Dutch cinema and film culture both domestically and internationally. For more information visit https://www.filmfonds.nl/en