DAWN and FAME Week Africa create a dedicated pitching platform, Inclusive Lens Pitching Competition, for South African filmmakers with disabilities
DAWN and FAME Week Africa create a dedicated pitching platform, Inclusive Lens Pitching Competition, for South African filmmakers with disabilities, with the NFVF providing R50,000 in financial support for the winning filmmaker.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – 30 September 2026 – DAWN, in collaboration with FAME Week Africa and with financial support from the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), has launched the Inclusive Lens Pitching Competition, a new South African initiative designed to identify, elevate and connect filmmakers with disabilities to meaningful industry opportunities.
The competition provides a dedicated platform for emerging and established filmmakers with disabilities to pitch original film and television projects directly to industry decision-makers, while creating greater visibility and access for underrepresented talent within South Africa’s screen industries.
In a significant boost for the initiative, the NFVF will provide R50 000 in financial support to the winning filmmaker, with the funding intended to help address accessibility and participation barriers that can hinder filmmakers with disabilities in the development and production of audiovisual content.
OPEN TO STORIES ACROSS GENRES
Open to filmmakers and screen storytellers with disabilities from South Africa, the competition invites submissions for feature films – fiction, documentary or animation – and television or digital series – fiction, documentary or animation.
Projects may be at concept, development or early packaging stage and can explore any genre or subject matter.
Importantly, projects are not required to centre on disability.
Instead, the Inclusive Lens Pitching Competition celebrates exceptional storytelling and recognises that filmmakers with disabilities should have the same creative freedom to tell stories across genres, subjects and audiences as any other filmmaker.
Applicants will submit a filmmaker biography together with a project pitch outlining their concept, creative vision and intended audience.
An independent panel of industry professionals will evaluate submissions based on originality, storytelling potential, clarity of vision, artistic and commercial viability, and the filmmaker’s ability to bring the project to market.
FROM PITCH TO INDUSTRY ACCESS
Following the selection process, up to five finalists will be invited to pitch their projects live at FAME Week Africa in Cape Town on 28 October 2026. The winning filmmaker will be announced and honoured during the Inclusive Lens Awards on 29 October 2026.
In addition to presenting their projects before industry experts, finalists will receive accreditation to FAME Week Africa, providing access to networking opportunities, market sessions and opportunities to connect with producers, commissioners, distributors and potential collaborators.
CREATING MEANINGFUL INDUSTRY ACCESS
Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa, says the initiative reflects a shared commitment to creating a screen industry that better represents the breadth of talent within South Africa.
He says, “Inclusion isn’t achieved by simply inviting people into the room – it comes from creating genuine opportunities for filmmakers to be seen, heard and connected to the industry. The Inclusive Lens Pitching Competition is about discovering outstanding storytellers, regardless of genre, and ensuring that filmmakers with disabilities have the same opportunity to access markets, build relationships and develop careers as every other creative professional.”
Karen Jeynes, Founder of DAWN, says the competition is an important step towards removing long-standing barriers within the industry. “Filmmakers with disabilities have always had stories worth telling, yet too often they’ve lacked access to the platforms, networks and opportunities that help projects move forward. This competition is about recognising talent first, while creating a more accessible and inclusive screen industry where filmmakers are judged on the strength of their ideas, creativity and vision” she says.
NFVF SUPPORTS GREATER ACCESS TO THE SCREEN INDUSTRY
The NFVF’s support for the Inclusive Lens Pitching Competition aligns with its mandate to promote and develop South Africa’s film and video industry and encourage greater access and participation in the sector.
Through its support of the competition, the NFVF is providing R50 000 for the winning beneficiary, specifically aimed at addressing accessibility-related barriers that may affect participation in the development and production of audiovisual content.
“We wish all the participants the very best and trust this initiative will be one that removes barriers to access,” says NFVF’s Nadine Cloete.
KEY DATES
The Inclusive Lens Pitching is now open, with submissions closing on 7 October 2026.
Finalists will be announced on 16 October 2026, before pitching their projects live at FAME Week Africa on 28 October 2026.
The winner of the R50 000 NFVF-sponsored award will be announced at the Inclusive Lens Awards on 29 October 2026.
Filmmakers interested in entering can find the full eligibility criteria, submission requirements and Terms and Conditions on the FAME Week Africa website.
