Despite the downward economic trend and uncertainty facing the country, the Namibia Film Commission (NFC) is committed to the continued support and empowerment of the film industry as far as possible.Â
The commission has so far allocated a whopping 85% of its annual budget to industry support ranging from content creation to capacity building and it is also allocating funds to 15 successful COVID -19 themed short and documentary films as part of its COVID-19 relief measures while providing personal protective equipment for local shoots. The program has so far proved successful as many of the graduates have been absorbed by local film companies and broadcast houses such as NBC. In addition, top-performing students are attached as trainees and the NFC’s annual short films project to acquire on the job training.
In line with its mandate to support and develop the local film industry, the commission awarded tuition bursaries worth N$ 90.00 to twelve final year College of the Arts (COTA) students. The executive secretary of the NFC Florence Haifene assured that they are committed to continuing the partnership with the COTA.
“We are committed to continue this partnership with the COTA until such time a state of the art film school becomes a reality, which has the potential to turn Namibia into a Southern African film Hub”, said Haifene.
The annual project call out is open and closes on the 30th of September 2020, thus creatives are urged to submit projects with fresh and innovative concepts that have the ability to travel beyond Namibia and Africa.
