A fresh supply of funding for filmmakers in SADC countries, will come on stream in 2005, as Dutch NGO HIVOS hands over administration of its film fund to Sithengi, the Cape Town-based film and television market.
Until recently the fund had been administered from HIVOS offices in Harare, but the Cape film market's growing organisational profile has prompted the shift.
Priority will be given to proposals from filmmakers in SADC countries and especially to co-productions between SADC producers.
Sithengi CEO & Festival Director Mike Auret has said that his office will shortly put out two separate calls for applications; first for an independent selection panel to convene by April 2005 and secondly for proposals from SADC filmmakers to draw HIVOS funds for film projects in April, deadline still to be confirmed. Disbursement will take place twice a year, in April and September.
The fund will make available Euro 375,000 in two tranches targeted largely at untapped and hitherto under-resourced talent in developing SADC member states. The disbursements will be made in four broad categories. Proposals will be considered for short films from new directors with no previous productions (Euro 5000 max. per application). Established or experienced directors qualify for up to Euro 15,000 per application for a short film. Documentary filmmakers may access a maximum of 30% of their budget with a ceiling per grant of Euro 40,000. And there is also scope for two grants of Euro 10,000 in the feature film category, purely for project development.
This niche fund enhances Sithengi's role as a film hub for the region, says Auret, and it dovetails neatly into the film and television market's annual co-production forums. Beneficiaries of the HIVOS fund will now automatically qualify for the co-production forums which require that producers show they have secured a percentage of their budgets or, alternatively, have the backing of broadcasters.
"Traditionally, there has been no money for projects developed outside South Africa," Auret says. "this fund will encourage project development there and act as leverage for raising further money at a market like Sithengi."
Auret is aware that countries around South Africa feel left out of the funding loop as South Africa draws new firepower into its growing industry. He describes the "sucking sound" that accompanies the evacuation of countries neighbouring South Africa as producers are drawn to Johannesburg and Cape Town to do business, and funds desert the regional capitals destined for South Africa. Producers in the smaller SADC states can take heart that they will now be able to make formal links with the South African industry without deserting their regional bases.
"This will enhance regional development in the industry," Auret says. " It will play an active role in addressing regional deficits. It's an important co-financing mechanism for regional producers and will give impetus to provide matching funds."
The HIVOS/Sithengi fund will also play a pivotal role in launching new voices on the sub-continent as it specifically targets work from first-time auteurs.
There is also provision for applications to fund workshops promoting short films, screenings or advocacy activities, particularly those that enhance regional co-operation. Translation of movies for broader access in the region is also provided for.
Sithengi is in the process of setting up a board to evaluate submissions under an agreed set of standards, and applications will be called in the next two months.
More details of the Hivos/Sithengi film fund can be viewed on the Sithengi website at http://sithengi.co.za/fund where there are two separate calls - for applicants wishing to be appointed to the evaluation and selection panel; and to regional filmmakers applying for funding.
Posted on Monday 24 Jan 2005
Festival Daily
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