The IPO represents, protects and promotes the interests of independent South African film, television and digital media producers and, in turn, all who work in and are suppliers to the industry value chain.

NEWS OPPORTUNITIES 

NFVF Animation Slate

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The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has released a call for Animation Slate proposals to the value of R7.5m over a period of 3 years. The slate is targeted at tier 2 Production Companies with the aim of cultivating sustainability and viability.

Tier 2 Production Companies are defined in the NFVF Funding Policy as “Filmmakers with experience in the film industry, but who have developed and produced either 1-2 theatrical feature films, television fiction, documentaries, 2-3 short films and/or commercials seeking to venture into feature film, animation or documentary development and production”. Companies or individuals with experience in media, commercial or advertising will also be considered. For the purposes of the animation slate, the NFVF will also consider companies that have been involved in the development and/or production of animated content as follows:

–       Developed and/or produced an animated short film;

–       Developed and/or produced an animated feature film;

–       Developed and/or produced an animated series;

–       Developed and/or produced animated television content; or

–       Developed and/or produced animated commercial content

Over the period of 3 years the successful slate recipient must deliver polished pitch materials for four television series and three feature films. The animation company may collaborate with other creatives but maintain 51% of the Intellectual Property.

Year 1:

For Television Series:  Concept 1-2:

Pitch decks which must include a compeling title page, contact details, loglines, premise, synopsis, tone and style, theme, format, genre, target audience, character descriptions, episode outlines/springboards, key art, creator bios, profiles of key creatives/collaborators/partners, tentative casting and a sell sheet;

For Feature Film:  Concept 1-2:

1 pitch deck for 1 concept. which must include a compelling title page, contact detials, loglines, premise, synopsis, tone and style, theme, run-time, genre, targe audience, character descriptions, key art, creator bios, profiles of key creavites/collaborators/partners, tentative casting and complete the first draft of the script

Year 2:

For Television Series:  Concepts 1-2:

Sample scripts for each concept; Proof of market testing/engagement/interest/response from prospective buyers, financers and co-production partners (if co-production is  applicable to your project) and Concept Teasers

Concepts 3-4: Pitch decks which must include a compelling title page, contact details, loglines, premise, synopses, tone and style, theme, format, genre,  target audience, character descriptions, episode outlines / storyboards, key art, creator bios, profiles of key creatives / collaborators/partners, tentavite casting and a sell sheet.

For Feature Film: 

Concepts 1-2: Delivery of final script. This should be crafted and polished with the inputs of an experienced story editor; Final character designs; Proof of market testing/engagement/interest/response from prospective buyers, financers and co-production partners (if co-production is applicable to your project); Attach producer(s)/executive producer(s) to the project (if required/applicable); Attach a sales & distribution company to the project (if required/applicable); Attach a South African animation studio to the project (if required/applicable), Secure a budget and provisional production schedule

Concept 3: 1 pitch deck for 1 concept, which must include a compelling title page, contact details, loglines, premise, synopses, tone and style,            theme,  run-time, genre, target audience, character descriptions, key art, creator bios, profiles of key creatives/collaborators/partners,     tentative casting; Complete the first draft of the script

Year 3:

For Television Series: 7 – 15 minute pilot for one concept along with a final revised deck and sell sheet

Concepts 1-2: Finalize a business model/finance plan for the project; Finalize the look & feel in collaboration with attached creative partners; Finalize all creative and technical contributors; Finalize all talents

Concepts 3-4: Sample scripts for each concept; Proof of market testing/ engagement/ interest/ response from prospective buyers, financers and co-production partners (if co-production is applicable to your project); Concept Teasers

For Feature Film: 

First draft animatic with a final pitch deck, character and set design for one selected concept.

Concepts 1-2:  Finalize a business model/finance plan for the project; Finalize the look & feel in collaboration with attached production partners;  Finalize all creative and technical contributors; Finalize all talents

Concept 3: Delivery of final script. This should be crafted and polished with the inputs of an experienced story editor; Final character designs; Proof of market testing/engagement/interest/response from prospective buyers, financers and co-production partners (if co-production is  applicable to your project), Attach producer(s)/executive producer(s) to the project (if required/applicable); Attach a sales & distribution company to the project (if required/applicable); Attach a South African animation studio to the project (if required/applicable); Secure a budget and provisional production schedule

BUDGET

The Slate is valued at R7.5 million over 3 years allocated as follows: R3 000 000.00 – for development of a minimum of 4 television concepts and 3 feature film concepts with a 25% cap for overheads; and R4 500 000.00 – for pilot production of 1 television concept and 1 feature film concept animatic.

WHO QUALIFIES TO APPLY?

Qualifying applications must be submitted by production companies that meet the following requirements:

  • A Tier 2 Production Company as defined which is 100%  South African owned and at least 51% black owned and managed;
  • BBBEE and Tax compliant;
  • At least 1 animated short film, television series or commercial which has been produced and broadcast on a public platform;
  • At least 3 (three) concepts identified for development, for which the applicant owns at least 51% of the Intellectual Property.
  • A clear skills development strategy in place.

WHO DOES NOT QUALIFY?

  • Past and Present NFVF Slate recipients; and
  • Individuals and/or Production Companies that have at least 4 (four) active NFVF funded projects across the value chain i.e. Development, Production, Post Production, Marketing and Distribution and Festival Funding Support.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

  • BBBEE, Transformation
  • Quality of the proposal (e.g. concepts, business plan, target audiences / awareness of market place trends);
  • Team’s expertise, capacity and experience;
  • Track record of the creatives with whom the applicant intends to collaborate
  • Finance Plan
  • Marketing and Distribution strategy / Track record of the sales and distribution company with whom the applicant intends to collaborate
  • Skills development plan.

COMPULSORY APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

All applicants must submit the following compulsory documentation:

  • Applicant must submit a business plan demonstrating the Company’s strategy and plan for growth towards sustainability and viability. It must be clear how they intend to make their projects commercially viable. The business plan must include but not be limited to the following:
  • Budget, Finance and Recoupment plan for each concept pitched at application phase;
  • Marketing and Distribution Research and Strategy / Evidence of Market Research
  • CVs with certified ID copies of key management and creative team; 
  • Proposed development schedule;
  • Showreel and/or portfolio of work.
  • Skills for development plan
  • BBBEE certificate;
  • Original valid tax clearance certificate;
  • Company registration documents; and
  • A minimum of 3 concepts ready for development and a prepared business model for each of these concepts.

Failure to submit any one of the compulsory documentations will render the application incomplete and therefore disqualified for consideration.  Applicants need to register and complete the online application form using the following link: https://nfvf.praxisgms.co.za/. For more information contact: na*****@nf**.za

CLOSING DATE: 17 January 2022 by 17h00.