INDUSTRY INSIGHTS Archives - Welcome to Sinemite

2. February 20236. February 2023

South Africa’s Showmax Launches Open Call For Live-Action Films From First-Time African Filmmakers

South African streamer Showmax has partnered with the Joburg Film Festival to launch an open commissioning brief. This is to the African film industry calling for pitches to fill a slate of 10 live-action films.

All submitted proposals must have a first draft screenplay and be set in contemporary Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or South Africa, with a first-time director attached who is a resident or citizen in those countries.

All official Ghanaian, Kenyan, Nigerian, and South African languages are welcome. The final films should be more than 40 minutes which is in line with the SAFTAs Best Made-for-TV Movie Award category.

Relevant : SHOWMAX BOOK ADAPTATION BRIEF

Story pitches are required to be in English and recorded as a video that is no longer than five minutes. Showmax said the pitch must also include short bios of the writer, director, and producer. A concise summary of the story, including the ending; an introduction to your lead characters and a discussion of your chosen genre and stylistic approach, with visual references.

Submissions will open on February 1 on Showmax’s website. Entries close on April 1. The selected projects will be announced in the second half of 2023 and screened on Showmax in 2024.

Showmax Book Adaptation Brief

Showmax is welcoming exciting proposals from Kenyan producers for a literary adaptation series based on or inspired by a Kenyan book. The proposed series should be made up of 8 or 16 episodes. Limited series are also welcome

Proposal Requirements

Logline: summary of the series (no more than 30 words).
Summary of Book: its story, appeal, and publisher information.
Character bios of main key characters – not more than 4 characters. (Their goals, needs, desires and weaknesses)
Episode Breakdowns: Highlight the beginning, middle, and end of each episode in a couple of sentences.
Series Lookbook and Moodboard: Picture collage that gives us a glimpse of how the series will look like in terms of cinematography and production design, mood, and tone.
Company profile &Team: Who are the filmmakers behind the project? What have you done previously? Who will be doing what?
Publisher Agreement: Agreement with publisher confirming option rights to the said book. If the agreement process is not completed, please provide a letter of intent from the publisher stating the timelines for the rights clearance.
Preliminary Budget: How much will it cost to produce each episode?
Showreel: A link to your showreel or sample of your work, no longer than 3 minutes.
References: Please include contact details for three references. References cannot include M-Net personnel.

Completed scripts are not necessary at the stage of submission.

Presentation must not be more than 15 slides.

Technical and editorial standards required will be set out in the production agreement.

Showmax will have the final editorial and creative control over all aspects of the Commissioned Movie.

The Evaluation/Selection Process

Receipt of proposals will be acknowledged by email notification. Only shortlisted applications will be invited for pitches.

Our selection process will take roughly 12 weeks. If you don’t hear from us within 90 days after submissions deadline, consider your application unsuccessful.

Deadline for Submissions: 20th February 2023.

More details here

2. February 20232. February 2023

Hollywood actor Idris Elba has plans to invest in a major film studio in Tanzania

anzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan with British actor Idris Elba in Davos, Switzerland. PHOTO | COURTESY | IKULU

Hollywood actor Idris Elba has plans to invest in a major film studio in Tanzania, the Director of Presidential Communications, Zuhura Yunus, has revealed.

The plans come a few days after the British actor and humanitarian and his wife, Sabrina Elba, recently met and held talks with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Ms Zuhura revealed the news while briefing journalists on Monday on the outcome of President Hassan’s recent trip to Davos, Switzerland, for the 53rd World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

Continue Reading

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001466337/idris-elba-plans-to-open-film-studio-in-tanzania — British actor Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina pose with Tanzanian president Samia Suhulu (Courtesy)

2. February 20232. February 2023

The Women in Film Awards, WIFA KENYA, nomination list is finally out

After a successful nomination run, The Women in Film Awards list is finally out and voting is finally open.

These are beautiful and hardworking women who have been identified by you, our audiences, in different Kenyan Films released over the past few years.

Vote here : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9JJ0DPLnnkD5D-FSbqFRBItyS1_wB-wNHKLSOwM4m_G8xWQ/viewform

Image on www.sinemite.com about women in film

13. January 20232. February 2023

Bursary Callout by The Namibian Film Commission

The Namibian Film Commission extends support to students who wish to pursue a career in the film industry through a bursary program.

Application Deadline: 19 January 2023.

13. January 20232. February 2023

Mollo Animation Academy Internship program application

The Mollo Animation Academy and Studio is proud to announce its 5th intake for our 12 month, intensive animation internship is now open.

This paid internship program is aimed at creating work ready artists looking to specialize in high-end 2-D animation and tell authentic African stories.

Once applications close in January, the shortlist will be announced and the interview process will begin. We take only 10 artists a year to be mentored and taught by our dedicated trainers.

Applications will close January the 31st, 2023. Please note that we will only be processing applications when the application window ends and will be emailing those who are shortlisted then.

Ream more here

Apply Here

Image on www.sinemite.com in a blog post about The Mollo Animation Academy and Studio is proud to announce its 5th intake for our 12 month, intensive animation internship is now open.

12. January 20232. February 2023

THE INTERNATIONAL WRITER’S LAB

The International Writer’s Lab (IWL) is a first of its kind creative accelerator whose core mission is to support global, emerging storytellers in the development of compelling stories across film, television, animation, gaming and beyond, and help position participants on a path to propel their careers forward through increased awareness and preparedness.

The International Writer’s Lab is grateful to the National Film Authority and all our partners for the launch of our inaugural 2023 lab in Ghana. The application cycle has opened: visit www.iwlafrica.com.

The goals of the program are to provide:

(1) hands-on, tactical skills and training

(2) expert guidance on writing for global audiences, pitching materials to Hollywood executives, and personal marketing

(3) a pathway to tangible commercial opportunities.

Our aim is also to create a community through the Fellowship where each cohort can increase their range of networking amongst each other and across creatives and executives in the business. Ultimately, we want to assist in the development of a pipeline of highly skilled and sought-after creatives from around the world, beginning in Kenya.