FOCUS’ AFRICA FIRST PROGRAM
Deadline: Monday 17th August 2009
$10,000 for 5 African Film makers (each)
Following the success of last year’s inaugural program, Focus Features is accepting entries for a second year of its Africa First Program through Monday, August 17th (please note newly extended deadline). The uniquely conceived initiative, with funds earmarked specifically for emerging filmmakers of African nationality and residence, offers eligible and participating filmmakers the chance to be awarded $10,000 in financing for pre-production, production, and/or post-production on their narrative short film made in continental Africa and tapping into the resources of the film industry there. Complete details on Africa First – including application information – can be accessed through www.filminfocus.com/africafirst.
Launched in 2008, Africa First last Autumn awarded $10,000 a piece to five winning filmmakers; Mr. Edouard Bamporiki (from Rwanda), Ms. Jenna Bass (from South Africa), Mr. Jan-Hendrik Beetge (also from South Africa), Ms. Dyana Gaye (from Senegal), and Ms. Wanuri Kahiu (from Kenya). Their short films are, respectively, Long Coat, a drama about a young Hutu coming to terms with Rwanda’s and his own family’s past; The Tunnel, a 1980s-set story centering around a 10-year-old girl’s quest; The Abyss Boys, a thriller about an illegal trade in a small fishing town; the public transportation musical N’Dar [Saint Louis Blues]; and Pumzi [Breath], a futuristic sci-fi tale.
Five (5) filmmakers will be awarded $10,000 apiece. The submission period began on Monday, June 1st, 2009 and runs through Monday, August 17th, 2009. The five filmmakers selected will retain the copyrights and the distribution rights to their completed shorts, with the exception of North American rights; Focus will retain those, as well as the right of first negotiation to productions derived from the shorts, such as a feature-length expansion. The announcement of the selections will be made on or about October 1st, 2009.
Contact:
Yannina Diaz
FOCUS FEATURES
yannina.diaz@focusfeatures.com
Karen Finnegan
FOCUS FEATURES INTERNATIONAL
44-207-307-5591
Out of Africa 
send me more this this information about Africa first because am a film maker who would like to try my luck with your programe
Hi, thank you for taking a look at our blog. Just in case you have not applied yet, Africa First have extended their deadline for this year. Application closes 3rd September 2010. Have a look http://www.filminfocus.com/africafirst/index.php and best of luck!