Netflix in R5,5m funding scheme for black filmmakers

PRETORIA. — Black aspirant and underrepresented filmmakers are receiving a R5.5m boost from global streaming service Netflix in the form of a funding scheme.

The Netflix Black Creatives Empowerment Fund announced yesterday that it aims to alleviate the financial pressure for students in tertiary institutions in an effort to improve the inclusion and representation of black creatives in local television and film. Roughly R4.4m of the contribution will be dedicated to full scholarships for black film students as well as graduate debt relief.

Both opportunities will be eligible for study at higher education institutions including the University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg, University of Pretoria and University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The same opportunities will be available for applicants from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Durban University of Technology, Tshwane University of Technology, Afda, Boston Media House, AACA Film and Acting School, and City Varsity.

Tshikululu Social Investments, SA’s leading social investment fund management firm, has been tasked with administering the fund on behalf of the global streaming service. Students interested in applying can do so online from on Friday on the official Tshikululu website, where additional information and application criteria will be laid out.

“We recognise that being part of the local creative community in SA also comes with responsibilities, in particular the need to develop the talent pipeline and give new voices the chance to be heard,” said Ben Amadasun, director of content for Netflix in Africa.

“Talent development is extremely important to us and we will continue to work with the industry in SA to support and develop new opportunities to grow the creative community.”

About R1.4m from the grant will be donated to the Independent Black Filmmakers Collective (IBFC) to provide access to funding. Founded in 2017, the IBFC represents black film and television practitioners, producers and filmmakers. –