NFVF Opens Applications for Filmmakers to Attend Local and International Film Festivals & Markets

The South African National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has opened a call for South African filmmakers interested in applying for travelling grants to local and international film festivals and markets taking place from 01 August 2026 – 31 October 2026. 

The grant aims to provide financial support for South African filmmakers and industry practitioners to attend both local and international film festivals and markets. The purpose is to enable them to promote their films and television products, share their expertise and promote the South African film industry.

Interested applicants must be attending film workshops and masterclasses, screening a project, participating in the festival or market competition, nominated for an award, invited to participate in a panel discussion, and pitching a film at a festival or market. The funding caps for international film and market attendance are tagged at R50 000, and local (South Africa) film and market attendance is at R 20 000. There are specific conditions applicable for each funding category, and it is important for applicants to take careful note of these conditions before applying. 

The NFVF is an agency mandated by the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture to provide funding for the development, production, marketing, and distribution of films. It also helps filmmakers represent and market their work internationally.  In addition, the NFVF commissions research and produces industry statistics that provide valuable insights into the South African film industry for both the public and stakeholders.

Additionally, there are three tiers. The tier 1 is for experienced filmmakers who have a proven track record for developing and producing 3-5 theatrically released feature films, tier 2 is for filmmakers with limited experience but who have developed and produced 1-2 theatrical feature films, television fiction, documentaries, 2-3 short films and/or commercials seeking to venture into feature film development and production, and tier 3 is for new entrants into the industry, particularly recent film school graduates from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. This NFVF intervention is geared towards first time filmmakers having a “calling card” in the film industry. This tier is only eligible for short film funding. 

The NFVF’s festival and markets attendance grant is an intervention that directly addresses one of the biggest barriers in the South African film ecosystem: access. By providing funding, it removes the financial hurdle that often keeps South African filmmakers from showcasing work, pitching projects, and building networks at key industry local and international film events. For an industry that relies heavily on co-productions, distribution deals, and global visibility, the grant creates a pipeline for South African stories and filmmakers to reach international buyers, programmers, and collaborators, while also strengthening the domestic market. The NFVF grant doesn’t just fund travel; it funds relationships, market readiness, and the next generation of South African storytellers, making the industry more sustainable, competitive, and globally connected.