Local broadcasters have recently slammed popular US-based streaming services for not investing in proudly South African content. Now, Netflix announced its partnership with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in which it’ll invest a combined amount of R28 million to fund local content production for the streaming platform.
Netflix and the NFVF will contribute R14 million each into the pool. The budget will be allocated specifically for “micro-budget” feature films, according to MyBroadband. Now, it’s looking for local talent in the form of movie pitches and directors to spend it on. It’ll fund six movies in total.
The funds will be split into two main categories:
- Stream 1 will budget R16 million for four feature films by emerging filmmakers. This one’s capped at R4 million per film.
- Stream 2 will focus on two fictional feature films aimed at established filmmakers, capped at R6 million per film.
The plan behind the massive cash injection is to help jump-start the film industry after the destruction that was 2020. Nationwide lockdowns across the globe impacted the entertainment industry negatively, and Netflix plans to help it off its knees in 2021.
“The incorporation of digital platforms into our traditional processes can only benefit the industry further. We hope this is simply the start in what will no doubt be a long and fruitful relationship,” says Makhosazana Khanyile, the CEO of the NFVF, according to MyBroadband.
Submit your Netflix original ideas
It won’t be a local content push for emerging filmmakers if South Africans couldn’t apply on a public platform. Anyone who thinks they have the chops to take on a R4 mil budget and make something amazing can submit their ideas on this portal from 1 April 2021.