Namibia Film Commission (NFC)who received a N$3 million budget in the current financial year say the funds might not be sufficient to cover their plans with 70 % of that allocation already swallowed by film funding.
In a year plan statement released last week, NFC indicated that film funding remains key to its activities followed by training, research, formalisation of local industry, incentives, crew guidelines and maintenance of bilateral collaborations.
According to NFC board chairman Joel Haikali, a total of N$2.1 million has been made available and allocated to the support of film production.
“This money will be used to fund the productions of films, training as well as helping the marketing of films that will be produced,” he stated.
In 2019 NFC commissioned a study which will look at the economic impact of the film sector with hope to strengthen its position in articulating the economic relevance of the film industry.
“We will engage the government in making incentives available for our film industry and the good news is that this study is almost concluded. By the beginning of July the final study will be made available,” said Haikali.
Haikali further mentioned that the study will help in driving the conversation of how relevant film is when it comes to economic contribution in terms of employment and marketing of Namibia as a destination.
Filmmakers across all 14 regions of the country can make use of the funding support by application. However, NFC is known to have challenges with filmmakers who are unable to write their storyline scripts that can be read by independent judges appointed by NFC.
Iitandu, Encore and Land of the Brave are some of the films that have been previously funded by the NFC.
70% INTO LOCAL PRODUCTION: NFC aims to showcase Namibian talent and creativity with their new budget allocation.
PHOTO: #Landofthebrave Instagram
