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DFA announces COVID-19 Short Film Grant

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DFA announces COVID-19 Short Film Grant

DFA announces COVID-19 Short Film Grant

The DFA is excited to announce a grant for emerging and established documentary filmmakers to produce a short film on the theme of “Life, Love, Rifts and Rage in the time of Covid-19”. In view of the challenges faced by our industry the DFA board has taken a decision to assign funds accumulated from Membership fees and other DFA activities to create this emergency fund in order to support our members and the creation of new documentary content.


5 x R20 000 grants will be awarded to support the production of five short documentaries

Duration: 5-8 minutes

Submission deadline: 1 June 2020

Announcement of successful applicants: 15 June 2020

Completion deadline: 15 July 2020  

Submission requirements

  • Story logline – 1 line
  • Story synopsis – 200-250 words
  • Creative treatment – 200-250 words
  • Short biog and filmography – 200-250 words
  • Links to previous work 

Terms and conditions

  • This is a grant opportunity for members of the Documentary Filmmakers Association as per membership list on 15 May 2020
  • The filmmakers retain all copyright to the film and the concept
  • The DFA has permission to screen and promote the films on its online platforms, such as DocLOVE, during the lockdown and on its public platforms after lockdown – these screenings will be free of charge
  • The DFA will  seek broadcast opportunities for the films; should any proceeds arise from such broadcast, income will be allocated to the filmmakers, with the DFA retaining a distribution fee of 30% 
  • The filmmakers will acknowledge the DFA in the credits and all screening platforms
  • Disbursements of funds: 50% upon confirmation on signing of contract with successful applicants; 50% on delivery of completed film
  • Delivery: a prores copy of the completed film will be uploaded via file transfer to the specified site by 15 July 2020

Technical Specifications

Recognising the limitations of movement during lockdown, we will accept films made on mobile phones where cameras are not available, provided it can be filmed according to professional standards and motivated by the concepts.  

Please send submissions or queries to info@docfilmsa.com as a single document by midnight 1 June 2020. Subject title – DFA SHORT FILM SUBMISSION