About the NFVF Bursary The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is inviting eligible South African students to apply for its National Bursary Programme for Film and Television Studies. The bursary programme aims to support and develop skills for students who want to pursue careers in the South African film and television industry. Funding is available for full-time Film and TV-related studies leading to a formal qualification, such as a national diploma or degree, at an accredited tertiary institution in South Africa. Preference will be given to students studying at South African public tertiary institutions. Fields of Study Applicants must be studying or intending to study a qualification specifically related to: Film Television Other qualifying Film and TV-related disciplines The bursary does not cover performing arts, acting, music, dancing, or courses that do not fall within the Film and Television category. Who Can Apply? To qualify for the NFVF bursary, applicants must: Be a South African citizen. Have completed and passed Matric. Have a good academic record. Demonstrate a genuine need for financial assistance. Be registered or provisionally registered for full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Be studying towards a Film or Television-related qualification at an accredited South African tertiary institution. Academic Requirements Current tertiary students must have: An aggregate academic average of at least 60%. A minimum pass rate that allows them to progress to the next year of study. For Matric applicants whose final results are not yet available, the assessment may be based on: Grade 11 results; or Matric mid-year results. Approval for Matric applicants is also dependent on acceptance or provisional acceptance into an eligible Film or TV-related programme at a tertiary institution. Financial Need Requirement Financial need is an important consideration when applications are assessed. Applicants who are minors may qualify where their parent(s) or guardian(s) have a combined annual income of less than R600,000. Applicants older than 21 years must provide proof demonstrating their financial need, such as financial documentation requested by the NFVF. Selection Criteria Applications will be assessed using several factors, including: 1. Financial Need The financial circumstances of the applicant and, where applicable, their parent(s) or guardian(s) will be considered. 2. Academic Performance Academic performance will be assessed based on the applicant's latest or current results or qualification. 3. Motivation Applicants must submit a detailed motivation explaining: Why they want to study Film or Television. Why the chosen qualification is important to them. How the qualification relates to their career aspirations. Their plans for entering and contributing to the Film and Television industry. 4. Demographics The NFVF will consider factors such as: Gender Race Disability Home province These considerations form part of the NFVF's transformation and developmental objectives. 5. Developmental Mandate The NFVF will apply transformation and developmental considerations when assessing applicants, including demographic representation, gender, disability and provincial location. What Does the Bursary Cover? Funding is subject to the availability of funds and may cover qualifying expenses, including: Tuition Fees Full tuition fees may be covered, subject to the required documentation from the tertiary institution. Accommodation and Meals Accommodation and meal costs may be considered where supporting documentation, such as pro forma invoices or documents from the institution or supplier, is provided. Other Study Resources Funding may also be considered for study-related resources such as: Textbooks Computers Software Supporting documentation or pro forma invoices will be required. Important Funding Limit Funding for accommodation, meals and additional resources is capped at R50,000 per year in total. This funding is applicable only to first-year students. Accommodation and meal allowances will be paid per semester, while textbook funding will be determined according to the requirements of the applicant's course. Travel expenses are not covered. Required Documents Applicants must submit a complete application together with the required supporting documents. These include: Completed online bursary application form. Letter of acceptance from the tertiary institution, or a letter confirming acknowledgement of the applicant's application. One-page motivation letter for tuition funding. Certified copy of South African ID, dated within six months of the application. Certified copy of Matric certificate or latest academic results, dated within six months of application. Certified copy of Senior Certificate, dated within six months of application. Full breakdown of the total annual academic fees required from the institution. Commitment letter confirming bursary or loan funding from another sponsor or bank, where applicable. Additional Documents for Minors Who Are Unemployed If the applicant is a minor and unemployed, they must provide the relevant documents, which may include: Affidavit confirming the known or unknown whereabouts of an absent parent or parents. Proof of social grant, where applicable. Parent, guardian or partner's proof of income, such as: Latest payslip Bank statement with a bank stamp IRP form Certified copy of the death certificate of a deceased parent or parents, where applicable and dated within six months of application. Additional Documents for Applicants Older Than 21 Applicants older than 21 must provide proof of financial need, which may include: Latest payslip. Bank statement with a bank stamp. IRP form. Important: All certified documents must be valid for six months from the date of submission. Important Institution Rule Applicants should carefully confirm their tertiary institution before applying. Students who receive bursary approval while studying at a South African public tertiary institution may not change to a private tertiary institution after their bursary has been approved. If a student changes from a public institution to a private institution after approval, the bursary will be cancelled with immediate effect. No transfers from public to private tertiary institutions will be accommodated after approval. Who Will Not Qualify? Applications will not be considered if: The application form is incomplete. Incorrect information is provided. Required supporting documents are missing. Documents are not properly certified. The application is for outstanding tertiary fees or existing fees owed to a tertiary institution. The application is submitted by fax or email. The course falls outside the Film and Television field. The NFVF bursary does not fund: Performing Arts Acting Music Dancing Other courses unrelated to Film and Television How to Apply Applicants must complete the online National Bursary Application Form. Applications can be submitted through the NFVF website or the online application portal: NFVF Website: www.nfvf.co.za Online Application Portal: https://nfvf.praxisgms.co.za Applications submitted via fax or email will not be considered. Application Period Applications Open: 2 June 2026 Closing Date: 31 August 2026 Closing Time: 17:00 Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications and supporting documents before the deadline to avoid missing the closing time. Bursary Enquiries For questions about the application process, contact an NFVF Applications Officer: Thandekile Hlatshwayo Email: thandekileh@nfvf.co.za Telephone: 011 483 0880 Or Manti Sekwakwa Mmalebati Email: mantim@nfvf.co.za Telephone: 011 483 0880 Quick Summary The NFVF National Film and Television Bursary Programme is an opportunity for South African students who want to build careers in the Film and TV industry. The bursary supports eligible full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students studying qualifying Film and Television programmes at accredited South African tertiary institutions. If you meet the academic, citizenship and financial need requirements, prepare your certified documents carefully and submit your online application before 31 August 2026 at 17:00.