The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites eligible South African producers to apply for selection to the South African Producers Spotlight, presented as part of South Africa’s designation as the European Film Market’s Country in Focus in 2027. The programme will take place in Berlin, Germany, from 10 to 16 February 2027.

Important Eligibility Threshold

This opportunity is intended for experienced South African producers who have produced or co-produced at least two completed feature films or two completed episodic series in a substantive producing capacity. The productions must have been formally released, broadcast, streamed or distributed, or officially selected for and screened at a leading Tier 1 film festival. Verifiable evidence must be provided.

Applicants must also have a suitably developed project or slate with international potential and a portion of the required financing secured.

Applicants who do not meet these minimum requirements should not apply.

1. Background:

South Africa has been selected as the Country in Focus at the European Film Market (EFM) 2027.

This recognition provides a significant platform to showcase South Africa’s diverse storytelling, creative talent, production capacity and potential for international collaboration. The Country in Focus programme will connect South African filmmakers, projects and production companies with international producers, financiers, buyers, sales agents, distributors, broadcasters, streamers and other industry decision-makers.

As part of South Africa’s participation as Country in Focus, the NFVF will support ten South African producers to participate in the Producers Spotlight programme.

• About the Producers Spotlight

The Producers Spotlight is intended to:

• Showcase the creative and commercial strength, diversity and international potential of South African producers and production companies.
• Introduce compelling South African projects and slates to international partners and decision-makers.
• Facilitate opportunities for co-production, financing, sales, distribution, commissioning and other forms of international collaboration.
• Strengthen the international networks of participating producers.
• Create opportunities for sustained collaboration between the South African film industry and the global screen sector.

3. Who May Apply

Applications are open to producers applying through a South African-owned and registered production company.

The producer will be the principal participant and must be authorised to represent the production company and the submitted project or slate.

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• Be a South African citizen, permanent resident or recognised refugee with valid supporting documentation.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a producer, lead producer or co-producer attached to a South African production company with a demonstrable track record in the film and television industry.
• Have produced or co-produced, in a substantive producing capacity, at least two completed feature films or two completed episodic series that have been formally released, broadcast, streamed or distributed, or officially selected and presented at a recognised national or international festival or market, including Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, TIFF, Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, Locarno, San Sebastián, Busan, Karlovy Vary, Tokyo, Shanghai, Tallinn Black Nights, Annecy, Hot Docs, IDFA, FESPACO, DIFF, Encounters, Silwerskerm, CTIAF, Joburg Film Festival or Series Mania. Verifiable evidence must be provided.
• Provide verifiable evidence of their producing role and the formal release, broadcast, distribution or festival history of the completed productions.
• Hold, or be able to demonstrate access to, the rights and authority required to present and negotiate the submitted project or slate.
• Have a project or slate that is sufficiently developed to benefit from international market engagement.
• Have secured a portion of the financing required for the submitted project and provide documentary evidence of the secured financing.
• Demonstrate a clear need for and objective at the EFM.
• Be in good standing with the NFVF where the applicant or production company has previously received NFVF support.

Only one producer per production company may apply.

4. Eligible Formats and Project Stages

Projects may be submitted in the following formats:

• Fiction feature films.
• Feature-length documentaries.
• Animated feature films.
• Animated series.
• Scripted episodic series.

Projects must be in:

• Advanced development.
• Financing.
• Post-production.

The call is open across genres, languages and creative approaches. However, the submitted project must be sufficiently developed and ready for purposeful business engagement at the EFM.

Projects in early concept or early development that are not yet ready to engage prospective international partners will not be considered.

5. What Selected Producers Will Receive

Selected producers will participate in a curated programme which may include:

• Profiling of the producer, production company and selected project or slate through Country in Focus platforms and materials.
• An opportunity to present the production company and project within the South African Producers Spotlight or a related EFM platform.
• Curated introductions and networking with relevant international professionals.
• Access to selected Country in Focus and EFM industry activities.
• Opportunities to engage international producers, financiers, buyers, sales agents, distributors, broadcasters, streamers and other industry decision-makers.

The exact programme and nature of any participation support will be communicated to selected producers.

6. Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit a complete application containing the following:

6.1 Motivation

A one-page letter of motivation outlining why you should be selected for the Producers Spotlight programme and how this opportunity will benefit your career.

6.2 Producer’s Biography, CV and Filmography

A current producer’s biography, CV and filmography outlining the applicant’s production and relevant market experience.

The document must clearly identify:

• The applicant’s role on each production.
• The title, format and year of each production.
• The relevant production company.
• The release, broadcast, distribution or festival history of the completed productions.
• Previous participation in local and international markets, festivals, labs or industry programmes, where applicable.

6.3 Evidence of Completed Productions

Applicants must submit verifiable evidence of the required completed feature films or episodic series.

Supporting evidence may include:

• Screen credits confirming the applicant’s producing role.
• Distribution or licensing agreements.
• Confirmation from a broadcaster or recognised streaming platform.
• Cinema release information.
• Festival selection letters or official festival listings.
• Other independently verifiable documentation.

The evidence must demonstrate both the applicant’s producing role and the formal release, broadcast, distribution or festival history of the productions.

Viewing links, trailers, teasers and showreels will not, on their own, be accepted as evidence of formal release or distribution.

6.4 Company Profile

A brief company profile outlining:

• The company’s background and ownership.
• Management structure.
• Areas of specialisation.
• Production experience.
• Completed productions.

6.5 Project Summary

A project summary of no more than five pages containing:

• Project title.
• Production company and applicant’s role.
• Format, genre, duration and language.
• Logline and synopsis.
• Director’s statement or creative vision.
• Current stage and status of the project.
• Key creative team.
• Target audience and market positioning.
• Financing plan indicating the total budget, finance secured, finance pending and the outstanding financing required.
• Evidence of confirmed project partners, where applicable.
• The project’s international potential.
• The specific co-production, financing, sales, distribution, commissioning or other partnerships being sought at the EFM.

6.6 Evidence of Finance Secured

Projects must be in advanced development, financing or post-production and must have secured a portion of their financing.

Verifiable evidence that a portion of the project’s production budget has been secured, indicating the amount and source of the finance. Evidence may include a signed funding agreement, financing contract, commitment letter or official confirmation from the financier or funder.

Distributor, broadcaster, platform, sales agent or co-production attachments will qualify only where they include a confirmed financial contribution to the project.

6.7 Pitch Deck or Lookbook

A pitch deck or lookbook presenting the project’s creative vision, visual approach, key creative team, audience and market positioning.

6.8  Provincial Representation

Provincial representation will be based on the producer’s province of ordinary residence.

Applicants must submit proof of residential address not older than three months, clearly reflecting the province, municipality and town or city in which the producer resides.

•   A certified copy of your South African ID or permanent residence permit. (Stamp no older than 6 months at time of submission)
  • Company registration documentation.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

7. Conditions of Participation

By applying, applicants acknowledge that:

• selection does not constitute an award of development, production, post-production or distribution funding;
• selection does not guarantee meetings, financing, co-production, sales, distribution or any other commercial outcome;
• selected producers must attend all compulsory scheduled programme activities;
• any material change to the producer, production company, project, key creative team, rights position, budget, finance plan or project status must be disclosed promptly to the NFVF; and
• failure to participate fully, supply accurate information or comply with programme requirements may result in withdrawal of selection or support.

• Important Notice

The NFVF reserves the right to:

• Verify all information and supporting documentation submitted.
• Request additional information or clarification.
• Select fewer than ten applicants should the required standard not be met.
• The submission of false, misleading or unverifiable information may result in the application being disqualified or the applicant’s selection being withdrawn.

• Application Details:

Applications must be submitted by email to:

Lehlohonolo Sello Lehlohonolos@nfvf.co.za

The email subject line must read:

PRODUCERS SPOTLIGHT  2027 – [APPLICANT’S FULL NAME]

All application documents must be clearly named and submitted in the format stipulated by the NFVF.

Receipt of an application does not constitute confirmation of eligibility or selection.

Opening date: 15 September 2026

Closing date: 2 October 2026 at 17:00

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants who have not received written notification by 10 November 2026 should consider their applications unsuccessful. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, the NFVF will not provide individual assessment notes or feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

About NFVF

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, was mandated to ensure the equitable growth of the South African film and video industry. The NFVF does this by providing funding for the development, production, marketing and distribution of films and also 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.

About the Berlinale:

The Berlin International Film Festival, known as the Berlinale, is one of the world’s leading film festivals and industry events. Its professional platforms include the European Film Market and the Berlinale Co-Production Market, which connect filmmakers and projects with international producers, financiers, sales agents, distributors, broadcasters and other industry decision-makers.

South Africa has been selected as the European Film Market’s Country in Focus for 2027, providing a dedicated platform to showcase South African talent, projects, production companies and co-production opportunities to the international film industry.