São Paulo Film and Audiovisual Company (Spcine) and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in July 2023, with the objective of establishing cooperation mechanisms aimed at encouraging audiovisual production between Brazil and South Africa.
The partnership between Spcine and NFVF is based on the understanding of the dynamics of the audiovisual markets of São Paulo and South Africa, with shared historical and cultural ties, especially with regard to the narratives of the African diaspora. In this sense, the actions developed under this agreement seek to stimulate the creation of audiovisualcontent that reflects this connection, promoting exchanges between professionals and expanding opportunities for international co-productions.
To be considered for funding through the Incentive, projects must comply with both Parties’ general funding criteria, with the Spcine determining eligibility for the Brazilian portion of a project and NFVF determining eligibility for the South African portion of the project. Projects will be evaluated and chosen by a committee comprised of representatives from each of the Spcine and NFVF through a selective process. It is important for applicants to note that eligibility to or financing through the Incentive does not guarantee the applicant’s eligibility or financing for further Spcine or NFVF funding in development or in production. Four (4) successfulprojects will receive US$20,000 each.
Proposals may be submitted under one of the two categories below, according to the stage of development of the audiovisual work:
I) Development Module
Intended for original projects in the creative and technical development phase, including stages such as research, scriptwriting, team definition, production planning, and financing strategy. The goal of this module is to support works at the beginning of their journey that require time and resources for artistic maturation and production feasibility.
1 project from a production company from São Paulo – Brazil will receive USD 20.000,00 (from Spcine call)
1 project from a production company from South Africca will receive USD 20.000,00 (from NFVF call)
II) Work in Progress Module
Intended for audiovisual works in the process of completion or at least with a FIRST CUT completed, already filmed and with editing underway or partially completed. This module aims to support the completion of projects with strong artistic and narrative potential by providing support for their final stages, such as editing, post-production, and sound and image finishing.
1 project from a production company from São Paulo – Brazil will receive USD 20.000,00 (from Spcine call)
1 project from a production company from South Africa will receive USD 20.000,00 (from NFVF call)
The projects must have the African diaspora as their central theme and include at least one (1) Brazilian national professional from São Paulo city serving as a CREATIVE TEAM HEAD
CREATIVE TEAM HEADS: A Brazilian national professional from São Paulo city responsible for leading and coordinating the professionals in charge of the artistic and creative decisions of an audiovisual work. This role serves as a link between the various creative departments (direction, art direction, cinematography, sound design, editing, screenwriting, and production), ensuring the aesthetic and narrative cohesion of the project. Their responsibilities include creative supervision, strategic decision-making, and alignment with the conceptual vision of the work.
To receive funding, every project must be approved by both NFVF and the Spcine. The approval process may take the form of evaluation of submissions through a scoring process and include pitches from shortlisted beneficiaries.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applications are open to:
- Established production teams based in São Paulo, Brazil, and South Africa.
- There are no limitations regarding style or genre. The call is open to feature projects of fiction, non-fiction and animation works.
- Both attached producers must be eligible according to the criteria of the respective funds
- Projects must be feasible within the criteria of both Funds.
- Applications should be submitted in English and signed by all partners involved.
- Comply with the rules pre-established in the Agreement between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Government of the Republic of South Africa on Audiovisual Co-production, signed 13 September 2018.
- Work in progress is defined as audiovisual works that are still in the production or finalisation phase. It can include projects at different stages, such as montage, sound editing, colour correction, or visual effects. The purpose of submitting a work in progress is to seek feedback, partnerships, additional funding, or distribution opportunities before the complete completion of the work.
- The South African projects must respect other criteria established by NFVF and the Brazilian projects must respect other criteria established by Spcine.
- Without prejudice of these and other criteria established by the Parties, all projects and respective contracts must observe national legislation in its respective country of production.
- Call is open to Tier 1 and 2 filmmakers only.
- Only applications made through registered production companies and not by individuals will be considered.
Ineligible are:
- Live recordings, TV games, talk shows, reality shows or education and ‘how-to’ programs to be shown directly in schools.
- Documentaries promoting tourism, “making-of”, reports, news and current affairs programs and “docu-soaps”.
- Projects including pornographic or racist material or advocating violence.
- Works of a promotional nature.
- Institutional productions to promote a specific organisation or its activities.
- Projects previously funded in development by the NFVF.
- Companies, producers, writers or directors involved with a project currently in receipt of NFVF development funding.
Applications must include the following information:
- CVs of South African and Brazilian producers, scriptwriter(s) and the director. Works in Progress should include the CV of the DOP, film editor and other heads of department where applicable.
- Motivation and vision of the team with regards to the project (including needs for the project)
- VIDEO PITCHING (max 10 minutes):
“VIDEOPITCHING”: This refers to a video presentation of up to 10 minutes that will be submitted to the EVALUATION COMMITTEE. It must be recorded and submitted through the application form by the CHIEF CREATIVE and PRODUCER DESIGNATED BY THE INDEPENDENT SOUTH AFRICAN-BASED PRODUCTION COMPANY (APPLICANT).
- The video pitching must be presented in English with Portuguese subtitles and have a maximum duration of 10 minutes. It will be qualitatively evaluated by the committee based on the following mandatory elements:
- Personal and artistic motivation for the development of the project;
- Project justification: its relevance, expected impact, and alignment with the objectives of the call;
- Presentation of the synopsis and a clear explanation of what the project is about (genre, theme, target audience, etc.);
- Justification for choosing the South African partner: highlight how the collaboration strengthens the project and promotes Afro-diasporic exchange;
- Approach to the African diaspora: how the project reflects, represents, or engages with Afro-diasporic experiences, whether through its narrative, aesthetic language, characters, or the team involved.
- Co-development agreement or Letter of committed from the co-producers and writer (and director if applicable)
- Brief project summary (maximum 5 pages).
- Treatment (maximum 15 pages).
- A script for works in progress . An outline in the case of non-fiction works in progress.
- A link to an assembly of available content for Works in Progress. Please note this link must remain active and accessible for at least 4 months.
- A Schedule for the development phase (e.g., timeline for writing, editing, research, director recruitment) (max 600 words) and a postproduction schedule for Work in Progress
- Development budget. Production budget for Works In Progress.
- Finance plan
- Distribution plan and agreement or letter of intent
- A brief synopsis not to exceed five pages*
- Recently Certified ID copy of an applicant (dated certification stamp not older than six months)*
- Company’s Registration document.
- Track record of production company where applicable.
- Company’s Valid Tax Clearance Certificate or Tax Clearance Status Pin Document (must be valid for one year)*
- BBBEE certificate or Signed BBBEE Affidavit with a dated stamp (not older than one year).
The Parties reserve the right to require other documentation from applicants for the completion of the assessment of the project.
Project Evaluation
- Projects will be evaluated by representatives of the Spcine and NFVF.
- The aim of this scheme is to increase and encourage the development of high-quality and diverse feature (animation) films and feature length documentaries.
- Therefore, the evaluation will focus on creative value of the project, viability of the project and the proposed target audience.
Timeline:
Call Open: 05 June 2025
Closing Date: 17 July 2025
Contact information
For Spcine
For National Film and Video Foundation
No additional material can be submitted after the deadline.