DFA members will gain access to a network of related industry bodies and other documentary filmmakers, both established and aspiring. The DFA will act in 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 Fees

Full Members

Annual Fee: R400

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 the annual general meeting and other special meetings.

Student Members

Annual Fee: R300

Full time students registered with a learning institution are eligible to become student 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. Student members must supply their registration documents with a learning institution. Student membership may be subject to review by a membership committee. Such members have one vote each at the annual general meeting and other special meetings.

Affiliate Members

Annual Fee: R1500

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 annual general meeting 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.

Membership Terms and Notes

• By being a DFA member you agree to abide by the DFA’s constitution.
• Membership is valid for 1 year from date of first payment.
• After application and first payment, new members will receive an invoice for their records as well as an official receipt with a welcome letter attached, and their profile will be activated on the Members Directory.
• Membership renewal fees will be invoiced annually 30 days before expiry .
• If you can’t afford the renewal, please let us know at the time of receipt of the invoice and let’s try make an arrangement. Write to our Treasurer on treasurer@docfilmsa.com to make arrangements.
• Members will receive statements twice a month for all outstanding membership fees.
• Membership will be deactivated on the Members Directory, after 30 days of expiry in case of non-payment.
• If a member enjoyed a BURSARY membership in the previous year, they will need to re-apply for a BURSARY for the following year via an email to treasurer@docfilmsa.com after receipt of a renewal invoice.
• Members will be able to set up a profile on our website to portray their skills and work. It is the responsibility of the member to keep their profile up to date.
• The DFA is VAT and TAX exempt due to its NPO status.

Application Process and Payments

Before filling in the online application form, please read the below carefully:

• Decide on the type of membership you wish to apply for
• Select the membership type, and make your payment
  • We accept
    • EFT payments to our banking account (see banking details below)
    • Snapscan
  • We DO NOT ACCEPT any cash payment to our account
  • Ensure that you obtain a proof of payment
• Prepare your Curriculum Vitae (CV) that best portray your skills, experience and work
  • Remove all personal details from the CV that you do not wish to have in the public domain
  • Your CV will be publicly displayed – attaching a CV is optional
  • Prepare a short Profile / Bio. This is mandatory and publicly visible
• Click on the APPLY HERE button and fill in the application form
  • Information
    • You may decide whether you want details such as the below publicly displayed or not:
      • Mobile Number
      • Email Address
      • Company Name
    • Information such as Province, City, Name and Surname will be publicly visible on the website
    • All other information is only for use of the DFA Board and its executives
  • Upload
    • Upload your CV – optional
    • Fill in your Profile / Bio – mandatory
    • Upload your Proof of Payment – mandatory
    • Bursary applications – upload your motivation in place of the proof of payment
    • Student members – upload your registration document from a learning institution – mandatory
• Once a member’s profile has been activated on the Members Directory, the new member will be able to login to the DFA website, add a photo, set up a banner or their company logo and update their profile on the Members Directory.

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