1. OVERVIEW
M-Net New Directions is the widely acclaimed filmmaking initiative founded upon the principles of skills development and training. Over its 17 years of existence, the initiative has seen the production of over 50 short films in the African continent with much interest generated through exhibition on M-Net’s services across the continent, and at film festivals across the world.

Originally piloted in South Africa in 1993, over the years, the project has evolved in response to environmental dynamics, M-Net corporate objectives and changes in priorities for the African filmmaking industry. From a corporate perspective, M-Net created the project as a CSI initiative and designed to develop skills in the film and television industry, and has therefore been recognized as a pioneering broadcasting company making a tangible investment in the film and television industry in Africa. M-Net’s CSI projects are now under the M-Net Cares banner.

2. CONTENT
This year, M-Net seeks to commission scripts for 2 X 26 minute short narrative dramas, and 1 X 48 minute documentary Proposal under the theme “HEART”.

Working in collaboration with the Vuka! Award initiative, another of M-Net’s long standing Corporate Social Initiatives, M-Net seeks to commission stories with ‘Heart’ - the interpretation of which can be open, but these could be stories about love, emotion or experiences that touch or inspire. These films can be about someone losing their heart, or gaining it; someone behaving heartlessly, being touched in their heart, or eating their heart out. They can be films about getting to the heart of a matter; speaking from the bottom of one’s heart, or giving heart and soul. In other words, films of real entertainment and magic.

The documentary and these 2 short narrative dramas should charm and go beyond the expected. They should captivate, because at M-Net we are invested in making movies that are excellent. We want memorable stories that creep into our viewers’ hearts and make a lasting impression. The theme of ‘Heart’ is thus a celebration of our common humanity. It is about the ties that bind, or what divides us. But above all, ‘Heart’ is about what makes us human. So go ahead and surprise us. Delight us, or provoke us. Send us your stories with HEART.

3. TARGET AUDIENCE
The core M-Net Africa Audience
All Adults and young audience

4. LANGUAGE
English
Local dialect to be subtitled in English

5. BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Early 2011
Date and time tbc

6. BUDGET RANGE
Narrative short – R300 – R350 000
Documentary – R200 000

7. REQUIREMENTS
Your written submission should be maximum 4 pages and should contain:

1. A Synopsis and
2. A Detailed treatment and approach
3. A script for the narrative drama

Short-listed production companies will be invited to present their proposal in person.

8. CREATIVE INFORMATION
Please supply detailed CV’s of key creative personnel who will be allocated to the project:
Director, Producer, Cinematographer and Editor.

9. PRODUCTION INFORMATION
• Production Company information to include:
• Location of registered Production Office
• Post Production Facilities to be used
• Estimated Production Schedule

10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Company registration, VAT registration, Income Tax numbers/references
• Directors or members or partners of Company, CC or Partnership
• Documentary produced in the last 5 years. If possible, please supply a show reel.
• References (please provide at least 2)

11. PLEASE SUBMIT TO:
M-Net
c/o Palesa Xorile
M-Net Corporate Communications
137 Bram Fischer Drive
Randburg
2194

Email: palesa.xorile@mnet.co.za

Any queries to be directed to bongiwe.selane@gmail.com

12. CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION:
Monday 7 June 2010

13. FINAL DECISION DATE:
1st July 2010

14. DELIVERY OF FILMS
February 2011

CONTACT DETAILS

ADDRESS TO: BONGIWE SELANE
C/O MNET CORPORATE
137 BRAM FISCHER DRIVE
RANDBURG
2194
SOUTH AFRICA
bongiwe.selane@gmail.com
bongiwe.selane@mnet.coza

CC PALESA XORILE
palesa.xorile@mnet.co.za

EMAIL: www.mnetcorporate.co.za