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The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) call for Marketing and Distribution Cycle 1 FY 2026/27 and Festival & Market Hosting Cycle 1 FY 2026/27 is open

By 19 November 2025No Comments

The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has released the call for applicants to submit for:

1)      Marketing and Distribution (Cycle 1 FY 2026/27)

2)      Festival or Market Hosting (Cycle 1 FY 2026/27)

Opening date for submissions:     19 November 2025

Closing date for submissions:       16 January 2026

Individuals, companies, and organizations can submit funding applications to the NFVF for any of the funding categories mentioned above. Specific conditions apply to each funding category, and it is crucial for applicants to careful review these conditions before applying.

Applicants need to register and complete the online application form using the following link: https://nfvf.praxisgms.co.za/

Please take note of the following disclaimers:

  1. Tier yourself accordingly.
  2. Carefully read the definitions of the subcategories before selecting.
  3. It is advisable that the main applicant applies instead of using a 3rd party to apply on their behalf.
  4. Only recently certified documents will be accepted.
  5. Only valid documents will be allowed (NOT EXPIRED)
  6. Applications that do not meet compliance will be disqualified.
  7. We do not take application documents after the closing date and time of the application.
  8. Ensure that you click the submit button and receive the confirmation email for your application submission from the system, If the confirmation email is not received, it means that application did not go through. This should be communicated with the NFVF within the submission period, unfortunately the NFVF will not assist with this query after the closing date of the call.

Eligibility: Marketing and Distribution

Tier 1:  Experienced filmmakers who have a proven track record for developing and producing at least three successful and commercially viable Feature Films, TV Films, or Documentaries.

Tier 2: Filmmakers with limited experience, must have developed and produced; one or two Feature Films, TV Films or Documentaries, or two or three Short Films and/or Commercials.

Tier 3: Not applicable for Marketing and Distribution funding

Application Criteria:

  • Independent South African filmmakers and distributors.
  • Funding is available for feature films and TV formats, documentary feature length, animation feature film, short films, animation shorts, documentary short films, TV films (if without a broadcaster), web series; and
  • A project can only be funded once per financial year.

For projects requiring funding that have reached production or post-production stages (R500 000 cap): documentation and information required

  • A trailer or rough-cut or final product;
  • A synopsis, including detailed information about the format and genre;
  • A one- to two-page letter of motivation providing uniqueness of the film and any projected success prospects the film may potentially have;
  • A document detailing the proposed target audience including demographics and psychographics;
  • A distribution plan, detailing how and where the film will be distributed, including but not limited to: details of the broadcasters and streaming platforms, a timeline with release dates across platforms, territories, cities, theatres and screens, and documentation from any theatrical exhibitor that confirms an initial release date;
  • A signed letter of intent from the distributor;
  • A detailed sales, distribution and marketing strategy;
  • A detailed marketing plan and budget;
  • An audience development strategy;
  • A comprehensive distribution or exhibition plan;
  • Copies of any existing articles or clippings about the project;
  • A detailed timeline, showing the projected return on investment for the NFVF;
  • An updated CV for the applicant;
  • Detailed profiles or CVs of the key creatives;
  • A certified copy of the applicant’s South African identity document (certified within six months of the date of application) or valid permit or proof of permanent resident status;
  • A company profile;
  • The company’s registration document (if applying through a production company);
  • A bank account confirmation letter (dated within three months of the date of application);
  • A BBBEE certificate or the BBBEE affidavit, signed by a Commissioner of Oaths (if applying through a production company);
  • The company’s Tax Clearance Certificate or Tax Compliance PIN document (if applying through a production company); and
  • Project chain of title.

For projects requiring funding that are in the development or pre-production stages (R250 000 cap): documentation and information required

  • A script, production schedule or pitch deck;
  • A synopsis, including detailed information about the format and genre;
  • A one- to two-page letter of motivation providing uniqueness of the film and any projected success prospects the film may potentially have;
  • A document detailing the proposed target audience including demographics and psychographics;
  • A distribution plan, detailing how and where the film will be distributed, including but not limited to: details of the broadcasters and streaming platforms, a timeline with release dates across platforms, territories, cities, theatres and screens, and documentation from any theatrical exhibitor that confirms an initial release date;
  • A signed letter of intent from the distributor;
  • A detailed sales, distribution and marketing strategy;
  • A detailed marketing plan and budget;
  • An audience development strategy;
  • A comprehensive distribution or exhibition plan;
  • Copies of any existing articles or clippings about the project;
  • A detailed timeline, showing the projected return on investment for the NFVF;
  • An updated CV for the applicant;
  • Detailed profiles or CVs of the key creatives;
  • A certified copy of the applicant’s South African identity document (certified within six months of the date of application) or valid permit or proof of permanent resident status;
  • A company profile;
  • The company’s registration document (if applying through a production company);
  • A bank account confirmation letter (dated within three months of the date of application);
  • A BBBEE certificate or the BBBEE affidavit, signed by a Commissioner of Oaths (if applying through a production company);
  • The company’s Tax Clearance Certificate or Tax Compliance PIN document (if applying through a production company); and
  • Project chain of title.

Eligibility: Festival or Market Hosting

Tier 1: Established film festivals/markets which should ideally have been in operation for more than ten (10) years and be able to show that they attract funding from multiple sources.

Tier 2: Intermediate film festivals/markets which have been in operation for more than five (5) years and less than ten (10) years.

Tier 3: Emerging film festivals and markets that have been in operation for fewer than five years.

Documentation and information required:

  • A synopsis outlining the objective of the festival/market and its uniqueness;
  • A project outline and timeline;
  • A one- to two-page letter of motivation;
  • A detailed festival/market plan and programme including a proposed screening schedule;
  • A detailed festival/market budget;
  • The names of the companies that the applicant has approached for funding and the amount of funds committed;
  • A detailed report on previous festival/market, which includes a screening schedule and a verifiable attendance register listing the total number of people attending the screening of each film and the overall impact of the festival; This is applicable for Tier 3 and Tier 2 festivals, and Tier 1 festivals which are not in their first year of existence;
  • A certified copy of the company’s registration document (dated within six months of the date of the application;
  • An updated CV of the applicant;
  • A certified copy of the applicant’s South African identity document (certified within six months of the date of application) or valid permit or proof of permanent resident status;
  • The company’s Tax Clearance Certificate or Tax Compliance PIN document;
  • A BBBEE Certificate or the BBBEE Affidavit, signed by a Commissioner of Oaths;
  • The most recent audited company financial statements;
  • A bank account confirmation letter (dated within three months of the date of application) for an account that is ring-fenced i.e., dedicated to festival business only;
  • A company profile including a detailed CV and profile of the festival/market director and his/her executive team;
  • Details of the skills transfer for festival/market employees indicating the reoccurring and upskilled staff from the preceding year and demonstrating the growth and/or progression of staff; and
  • A certificate from the Film and Publication Board (At the contract stage)

Please note that no late applications will be accepted.

For any queries regarding applications please contact Application officers:

Thandekile Hlatshwayo

Email: thandekileh@nfvf.co.za

Or

Manti Sekwakwa

Email: mantis@nfvf.co.za

Telephone: 011 483 0880

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