Global streaming platform, Netflix has gone into a new partnership with social platform, TikTok;and South Africa’s National Film & Video Foundation (NFVF) to launch a project;set to empower South African filmmakers and content creators.
According to reports, the new project will see 100 creatives get;trained on digital skills via an intensive boot camp where they will be taught personal;branding, content monetization, and how to create top-quality content.
Confirming the partnership, TikTok content manager, Boniswa Sidwaba shared;in an interview that the initiative is going to help build the selected creators;as they go through the intensive training. More so, they
“South Africa is a market brimming with creative talent from black;creators, and we are committed to providing the best local support to help amplify the voices of this community. Through this initiative, we will empower these creators to thrive on;TikTok and beyond, as we aim to provide them with career-building resources and programs”.
Nonetheless, the CEO of NFVF Makhosazana Khanyile said: “We are excited to;witness the launch of TikTok’s Rising Voices initiative in South Africa. Also, projects like this one provide black content creators;with vast opportunities to further develop their digital skills while learning from some of the industry’s leading content experts.
“We look forward to seeing the incredible content and content creators;that will emerge from this program. Moreover, we are confident it will add;tremendous value to the film and video industry in South Africa”.
Netflix confirms $1.9 million partnership with South African filmmakers
Meanwhile, some few weeks ago, Netflix announced;its latest South African film industry investment to the tune of 1.9 million dollars. The new deal which is in a bid to support South African;filmmakers recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, will see each partner contribute 950,000 dollars.
According to Business Tech, the partnership with NFVF will see the funding of six South African produced films. Four emerging filmmakers will be offered a budget of 280,000 dollars;to produce feature films while two established filmmakers will be offered 420,000 dollars. Also, all the six productions will receive exclusive debuts on Netflix.
Confirming the reports, Netflix’s content director in Africa, Ben Amadasun intimated that the past year had been incredibly difficult, with the pandemic hitting so many industries around the world.
“The creative community that we are a part of has supported us through the good times. So, we want to help them continue to create the stories our members love. Now we’re excited to take this a step further with this joint fund with NFVF for above-the-line talent”.
Makhosazana Khanyile, NFVF CEO also said: “The inclusion of digital platforms into our traditional processes can only profit the industry further. We hope that this is a start of a long and fruitful relationship”.
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