Join the DFA

DFA members will gain access to a network of related industry bodies and other documentary filmmakers, both established and aspiring. The DFA will also act on behalf of the interests of documentary filmmakers as a collective. This will include training and development, local and international broadcast and distribution, local audience development, gaining knowledge of global audiences, promoting proper audience research, job creation and administrative, contractual, intellectual property and financing advice. Members are eligible for several benefits from suppliers and other bodies. All Members are listed in the members directory on the website.

Membership

Full members (includes MY TOWN and Bursary Members)
Documentary filmmakers and aspirant documentary filmmakers are eligible to become members of the DFA provided they agree with the core objectives of the association and the standard Code of Conduct the association may promulgate from time to time. Full members must be individual documentary filmmakers as no companies may join as members. Full membership may be subject to review by a membership committee. Such members have one vote each at AGMs and other special meetings.

Affiliate members
Any individual, organisation, society, company, close corporation or similar body that works in conjunction with documentary filmmaking may join as an affiliate member. These members will have no voting rights, but will receive all the correspondence from the organisation and may make presentations to the members at an AGM or other general meetings.

Honorary members
From time to time qualifying individuals will be invited to join as honorary members as a tribute to their contribution to documentary filmmaking.

Fill in the Membership Form.

Membership Terms & Notes:

By being a DFA member you agree to abide by the DFA’s constitution.
All members who renew (no matter what time of year they renew), as well as new members who pay after 01 July and before 31 December of a year will pay 100% of the annual membership fee and their membership will expire again at 01 July of the following year or just after the AGM which ever is the later.
New (first time) members who join and pay after 01 January of a year and before 01 July will pay 50% of the annual membership fee, but their membership will still expire by 01 July of that year, at which time they will need to renew their membership.
Membership renewal fees will be invoiced annually to all members by the incoming board.
Membership will fall due immediately to continue to qualify as a member of the organisation.
If a member enjoyed a BURSARY or MY TOWN membership in the previous year, they will need to re-apply for a BURSARY for the following year via the same form or enter a film into MY TOWN or pay for membership.
We publish members’ website details on the DFA website, but we do not publish your telephone numbers unless you ask us to.
The DFA is VAT and TAX exempt due to its NPO status, but you may claim certain NPO contributions in your tax.

Membership Bursaries*

To offer new documentary filmmakers the opportunity to participate as DFA members, membership bursaries are available. The selection criteria are based on a fair regional representation and an individual’s passion to contribute to documentary filmmaking. Bursary Members have all the rights of Full Members. To apply, please complete the relevant section of the Membership Form.
*Subject to Member agreeing to work one day to assist the DFA on a project or event.

Annual Membership Fees

Category	Fee	Description
Full Member	R300*	Individual Membership for bona fide documentary filmmakers or aspirant documentary filmmakers. Have one vote each as long as they are paid up members.
My Town Entrant	Free	Individuals who submit a film to the DFA My Town Competition are entitled to a free year’s Full Membership to the DFA. Have one vote each for the year of their Membership. Applicants must have already submitted their films to qualify.
Affiliate Member	R1000*	Companies, individuals, societies or similar who work with the documentary filmmaking industry and wish to support the DFA’s objectives. Do not have voting rights, but enjoy a company logo on the DFA website. We will contact you for your company logo and extra two e-mails so you may receive our mailers.

Membership cycles are annual and commence immediately after the mid-year AGM until the following year’s AGM.

*New Members who join in either category after the 1 January and before 30 June pay half price.