The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has officially opened its Cycle 1 funding applications for the 2025/2026 financial year, inviting South African creatives to shape the future of storytelling.

This isn’t just a funding call, it’s a rallying cry for filmmakers, animators, and documentarians to bring bold, inclusive narratives to life

What’s on Offer

The NFVF is offering support across multiple categories:

• Development – Tiers 1 & 2
• Production – Tiers 1 & 2 (including documentaries, TV movies, animation, fiction, and web series)
• Post-Production – Tiers 1 & 2
• Archive Projects – Tiers 1 & 2

This cycle prioritizes experienced creators, while Tier 3 applicants, new entrants, and recent graduates from historically disadvantaged backgrounds are excluded from this round.

However, NFVF emphasizes that this is part of a broader strategy to support first-time filmmakers through targeted interventions The NFVF.

Why It Matters

In a landscape where African stories are often underfunded or misrepresented, the NFVF’s structured tiers offer a pathway for professional growth, legacy building, and global visibility.

For seasoned creatives, this is a chance to scale impact. For emerging voices, it’s a signal to prepare for future cycles with clarity and purpose.

What Comes Next

As you prepare your proposals, consider how your work contributes to:

• Disability-inclusive narratives
• Pan-African collaboration
• Archival preservation of marginalized voices
• Youth-driven storytelling and education

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