Call to submit applications to the Hivos/Sithengi Film Fund

6 Mar 2005

Sithengi invites first-time and established filmmakers from SADC countries, excluding Tanzania, to apply to the HIVOS/Sithengi Film Fund. Dutch NGO, HIVOS, recently handed over the administration of its film fund to Sithengi for 2005.

Disbursements will take place in April and September 2005. Sithengi is currently in the process of appointing a Selection Panel/Board who will be responsible for the evaluation and selection process as well as to provide governance to the Fund.

Application deadlines: 1 April 2005 / 1 August 2005. The Fund includes three specific areas of intervention, namely Short Film Production; Documentary Production and Feature Film Production.

Short film production

Key criteria will include:

First films (defined as somebody who has not had a film distributed to a festival or public screening).

Established films.

Priority will be given to proposals from filmmakers in Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho.

Gender considerations will apply in selection (gender here implying giving priority to female filmmakers who meet the relevant selection criteria, rather than to film content).

Grants will be made to cover 100% of the budget to a maximum of: Euro 5 000 for first-time filmmakers; Euro 15 000 for established filmmakers

Documentary production

Key criteria include:

Good films from experienced makers.

Demonstrate broadcast quality.

The proposal must demonstrate agreed broadcasting slots, a distribution plan and defined roll-out with input from a distributor.

Have co-financing to meet the budget needs within the defined time-frame of a year.

Critical, daring and innovative subjects.

Reasonable budget in accordance with the guidelines.

Demonstrate that equity, in terms of gender and race, have been addressed.

Whilst not criteria for support, the fund will favourably view proposals that encourage the following:
1. Cross-regional co-operation.
2. Collaboration with government and other bodies.
3. Commercial viability.

Grants will cover a maximum of 30% of the budget with a ceiling per grant of Euro 40 000. The fund will consider proposals for a series of films but might only fund one or part of a series.

Feature film production

The single criterion proposed is that the fund will support project development.
The maximum grant will be Euro 10 000.

Support role of the fund

The fund will also consider proposals in respect of the following:

Workshops to promote the production of short films, that develop options for film as a career, that develop lobby and advocacy activities directed at government and other stakeholders.

Seed funding for specific film screening events.

Proposals that provide for regional accessibility for films through translation.

The smallest proportion of the budget will be allocated to these activities.

Application forms may be downloaded from the Sithengi website, www.sithengi.co.za and signed application forms are to be faxed for attention, Joy Lekgau, at Fax: +27 21 430 8186 or emailed to: .

Share this article

NextOptions

Industries

Features

Subscribe & Follow