Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund (ECFIF) – South Africa

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) realizes the investment promotion potential value of promoting the Eastern Cape as a destination for hosting Feature Films and TV Series. The breath taking film locations that the province possesses makes it to a destination that has not been explored previously.

Objectives

• To develop the film industry value chain in order to realize continuous investments, job creation and skills development within the Eastern Cape.
• To establish the Eastern Cape as a preferred destination for film and television production.

Categories

• Microfilm Funding
  • Short Films
  • Documentaries
  • Short TV formats
    • Cap: R150 000.00 Maximum
• Production Funding
  • Full Length Feature Films 
    • Conditions
      • Recoupable Percentage Share in Revenue Generated
    • Cap: R1.5 million
  • Drama or Series
    • Conditions
      • Recoupable Percentage Share in Revenue Generated
    • Cap: R2 million
  • Television Series
    • Conditions
      • Non – Recoupable
    • Cap: R1.5 million
  • Telenovela’s/Soapie
    • Conditions
      • Non – Recoupable
    • Cap: R3 million
  • Reality Shows
    • Conditions
      • Non – Recoupable
    • Cap: R1.5 million
  • Animation
    • Conditions
      • Recoupable
      • Percentage Share Revenue Generated
    • Cap: R1 million
  • Documentaries
    • Conditions
      • Recoupable
      • Percentage Share Revenue Generated
    • Cap: R500 000
  • Support for participation in National & International Film Festivals/Markets
    • Conditions
      • film must be selected in Established film festivals.
    • Cap: R70 000

What does the Fund Cover?

• The EC Film and Television Investment Fund provides funding for commercially viable projects within the following categories:
  • Full length feature films;
  • Series;
  • Television series;
  • Telenovela’s;
  • Reality shows;
  • Animination
  • Documentaries
  • Participation in film festivals, markets, national and international

Support for Film Festivals & Markets Participation

• The support for film festivals or markets will be limited to established film festivals or markets meaning should be in existence for more than five (5) years from the time of application.
• Applicants must be invited for screening of a film whose principal photography was shot in the Eastern Cape.
• Eastern Cape applicants are encourage to apply if they’re selected for participation in an established film festival or markets local and international.
• ECDC support will be limited to cover the following costs (traveling, accommodation, and promotional materials).
• ECDC logo must be include in all promotional materials.
• The ECDC reserves the right to convert its support provided to the production company to a percentage share in revenue generated, should the exposure in the film festival yield to the production company securing good Distribution Deals.

Requirements

• Production Funding Requirements 
  • Registered company/Special Purpose Corporate Vehicle (SPCV)
  • Be tax complaint
  • Brief project synopsis
  • The applicant must submit distribution or commission agreement at application stage from industry reputable entities or broadcasters.
  • Secure major budget of the total project(more than 60%) before applying to ECDC.
  • Minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days of the principal photography must be filmed in the Eastern Cape.
  • Prior to commencing with principal photography the applicant must have secured 100% of the budget such proof must be submitted to ECDC.
  • Projects will have a maximum of 3 months to start principal photography from date of approval by ECDC.
  • The applicant must be a South African production company, registered and complying with CIPC and all other legal requirements;
  • The applicant must provide the ECDC with a financial plan and letter(s) of confirmation/funding agreements from other financiers;
  • Updated CV of the applicant
  • Valid B-BBEE Certificate of Production company or affidavit.
• General Condition for the Fund 
  • Eastern Cape based filmmakers should be employed/job shadow with Heads of Departments during the production phase.
  • An applicant must supply information on the intended and actual source of funding to be used for the whole principal photograph.
  • At least a minimum of 60% of procurement of goods and services must be allocated to Eastern Cape-based service providers during the production phase.
  • International productions must co-produce with South African registered companies to qualify for the fund.
  • At least 50% of the principal photography of the project should be shot in the Eastern Cape;
  • Minimum of 60% production expenditure must be spent in the Eastern Cape.
  • Projects must include a training and skills transfer programme to be implemented within the Eastern Cape.

For more information, visit ECDC.