National Film & Video Foundation Funding South Africa's Film & TV Industry
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is a statutory body and agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) mandated to create, develop, and promote the South African film and video industry. Established to ensure equitable growth in the sector, the NFVF provides grants and grant-loans to individual filmmakers, production companies, distributors, training providers, and students across the full lifecycle of filmmaking.
The NFVF empowers emerging, developing, and established members of the industry through four broad funding categories, with a strong emphasis on transformation, providing opportunities for previously disadvantaged persons, and telling authentically South African stories that resonate locally and internationally.
Four Funding Categories
Development Funding
Supports any work to put an idea or concept into writing with the intention of creating a script, including research for documentaries, shorts, and feature films. Also funds television format development for concepts that can be formatted, sold globally, and licensed for remake rights.
Applicants must hold exclusive rights or options for at least 12 months. Requires a treatment, chain of title, and proof of copyright.
Production Funding
Funds the actual making of films. Covers feature fiction, feature documentary, 2-3 part documentaries, made-for-TV movies, short films, animation (short and series), TV pilots, and web series (Tier 2 only). Also includes post-production funding for Tiers 1 and 2.
Script must be production-ready. SA production companies must have relevant track record for their tier.
Marketing & Distribution
Financial support for independent SA filmmakers or local distributors to market and distribute films across various platforms. Available for feature films and TV formats only (Tiers 1 and 2). Also includes festival attendance grants for filmmakers to promote their work at local and international festivals, and festival hosting grants for SA film festivals (Tiers 1-3 based on years of operation).
Requires a distribution plan, target audience analysis, signed distributor letter of intent, and marketing strategy.
Education & Training
Includes international postgraduate bursaries (up to R280,000) for SA citizens studying film/TV qualifications overseas that are not available locally. Also funds training provider grants for accredited organisations delivering SETA- or DHET-accredited programmes, particularly in scarce skills areas. Companies must be at least 51% black-owned.
In-house programmes include the Sediba Scriptwriting Training Programme and mentorship initiatives.
Filmmaker Tiers
The NFVF classifies filmmakers into three tiers. You must tier yourself correctly when applying. Incorrect self-tiering results in disqualification.
General Eligibility & Documents
Eligibility
- South African citizen, permanent resident, or SA-registered production company
- Correctly tiered (Tier 1, 2, or 3) based on track record
- Independent production (not commissioned by a broadcaster at time of application)
- Content must be relevant to a South African audience
- Script must be at the required development stage for the category applied for
- Not a current NFVF Slate beneficiary (for micro-budget calls)
- No active project currently in NFVF-funded production (for micro-budget calls)
- Training providers must be 51%+ black-owned and SETA/DHET accredited
Common Documents Required
- Completed online application form (NFVF GMS portal)
- Certified ID copy (stamped within 6 months, not expired)
- Company registration (CIPC) and Tax Clearance PIN
- Production-ready script or treatment (format-dependent)
- Chain of title and proof of copyright/option agreement
- Detailed budget and production schedule
- CVs of key creatives (producer, director, writer, DOP, editor)
- Links to previous work by director and producer (full films, not showreels)
How to Apply
Register on the Grant Management System
Create your profile at nfvf.praxisgms.co.za. All applications are submitted online. The main applicant should apply directly rather than using a third party.
Select Your Category and Tier
Choose the correct funding category (development, production, marketing, education) and tier yourself accurately. Read the tier definitions carefully. Incorrect self-tiering leads to disqualification.
Submit Early for Priority Review
Applications submitted well before the deadline receive a priority compliance assessment. If your application is non-compliant, you will be informed in time to make corrections before the official closing date.
Panel Evaluation
Independent evaluation panels review all compliant applications. Projects are assessed on creative merit, feasibility, budget, audience relevance, and alignment with the NFVF's mandate of transformation and SA storytelling.
Funding Approval & Contracting
Approved projects are published on the NFVF website. Successful applicants sign funding agreements with specific conditions, deliverables, and reporting requirements. Funds are disbursed according to the agreed schedule.
Common Questions
Important Links & Resources
Official NFVF portals, funding calls, and industry resources.
grantZA is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with the NFVF, DSAC, or any government department. For official enquiries, contact the NFVF at 011 483 0880 or visit nfvf.co.za.