Deadline: 24-April-2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites eligible South African production companies to apply as the Facilitating Production Company for the Female Filmmaker Project 2026, a three-year initiative aimed at empowering women in the film industry.
The objectives of the programme are to nurture, support and promote female filmmakers in South Africa through structured training and mentorship, to provide practical opportunities for emerging filmmakers to develop and produce short films, to identify and develop regionally diverse storytelling voices, to strengthen the pipeline of women directors and writers within the South African film and television industry, and to contribute to the long-term transformation and sustainability of the industry.
The Female Filmmaker Project is a strategic initiative designed to address the underrepresentation of women in key creative and leadership roles in the South African film sector. It focuses on creating inclusive opportunities for women from diverse backgrounds, including those who have historically faced barriers to entry, by equipping them with skills, mentorship, and hands-on production experience.
The selected Facilitating Production Company will take responsibility for the full implementation of the programme, including designing a national call for emerging female filmmakers, managing the selection process, coordinating training workshops and development labs, and appointing experienced mentors. The company will also oversee script development, production processes, and ensure that participants remain actively involved in all creative stages of their projects.
Each year, the programme will support up to ten emerging female filmmakers in development and mentorship activities. Following script development, selected projects will move into production, resulting in up to eight short films annually. These films must be between 23 and 25 minutes in duration and led by women in key creative roles, particularly writing and directing, while maintaining strong storytelling and production quality suitable for festivals, broadcast, or digital platforms.
The programme is supported by a partnership with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), which will provide national exposure for the completed films. The broadcaster will hold exclusive rights for the first two years, followed by non-exclusive rights for the remaining three years, a factor applicants must consider when planning distribution strategies.
With a total budget of R18 million over three years, the programme allocates R6 million annually. Applicants are required to submit detailed budgets covering programme administration, training, mentorship, film production, and marketing activities, with facilitation and management costs capped at 20 percent of the annual allocation.
To be eligible, applicants must be South African-owned production companies that are at least 51 percent women-owned, with preference given to Black women-owned companies. They must have a minimum of five years’ experience in film or television production, meet Tier 1 or Tier 2 requirements, demonstrate mentorship experience, comply with BBBEE standards, and maintain valid tax compliance.
For more information, visit NFVF.
