Cape-Town based Stage 5 Films has announced the ‘Stage 5 Films Award’ for the ‘Most Promising Narrative Feature Film Project’ at the Durban FilmMart 2019 (19-22 July).
The R50 000 cash prize, offered by the multi award-winning production company, will be accompanied by an additional R25 000 worth of script coverage, production support, market analysis and packaging for further finance.
Ten narrative feature films from five African countries are included in this year’s FilmMart that consists of a two-day mentoring programme culminating in a series of forum pitches to broadcasters, financiers and distributors.
“As the demand for African storytelling continues to increase, the importance of creating an enabling environment for creative development is critical to ensure a secure talent pipeline for the future,” says Producer Dylan Voogt of Stage 5 Films. “Through this award, we are able to further extend our investment in emerging talent and bringing world-class African film, television and documentary content to the continent and the world.”
“As independent, creative producers, it is important that we invest directly into emerging African talent, as they are the next generation of film-makers. Our hope is the ‘Stage 5 Films Award’ will give the deserving team the decisive lift needed to get their project to the next phase of its development,” encourages Voogt.
Reaching a significant milestone of ten years, the Durban FilmMart has firmly established itself as one of the most important film industry events on the continent and has been instrumental in the success of numerous Stage 5 Films projects, including Skoonheid (2011) Unearthed (2014), The Journeymen (2016) and Five Fingers for Marseilles(2017).
The successful project and recipients will be selected in consultation with The Durban FilmMart, meeting criteria that include original concept, creative and technical treatment, as well as market value. The award will be announced in Durban on Monday 22 July 2019.
“We are thrilled that Stage 5 Films has partnered with the DFM, in a true show of peer support for the film-making industry,” says Head of the Durban Film Office and Durban FilmMart. “While government agencies play a role in creating the framework and policy for the industry, it is ultimately the ownership and creative space of private enterprise. By offering this fantastic cash prize, Stage 5 Films is really demonstrating how film-makers can rally together, work together and galvanize towards a more cohesive future for the industry.”