• When must I submit my Script?

The DV8 call for entries is open ended; the sooner you submit your entry the greater opportunity you will stand for early selection. However our focus will be on well-developed, innovative, groundbreaking projects from passionate writers.

• What happens to my script once I've submitted?

You will be notified as soon as we receive your synopsis, treatment and script.

All entries will be reviewed by The Greenlight Panel, which is made up of the DV8 Producers and script development team and representatives from the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF). Ster-Kinekor Pictures will also act as advisors to the Panel.

The panel meets monthly to review all entries. You will be notified when the panel has reviewed your entry and the development team will forward all their script notes to you, should your script be selected.

If certain projects are deemed to be of interest, but do not receive immediate selection, these entrants will be asked to further develop their scripts and to re submit them for the next review sessions. Select projects that get a green light from the panel will receive development funding and stand a chance to go into production.

• What happens once I've been selected?

Once a project is selected for development, a contract with the writer(s) will be concluded and a schedule for further writing agreed to. The project will then be developed until it is ready for re-submission to the Panel for the Production Greenlight.

Dv8 has placed specific emphasis on a variety of training initiatives for selected projects. Training will be implemented in both the script and production phases of the projects. The training will include 2 workshops per year for the writers, directors and producers of the selected films.

DV8 will attach a producer to your project and you will be ready to go into production.

• Does Dv8 develop short films and/or documentaries?

We do not develop short films or documentaries at this stage of the initiative - only feature length (roughly 90 minutes) films. However, if you think a short story or documentary has the potential to be developed into a feature film please state so in your project application.

• What is the deadline for submitting my project?

There is no deadline for submitting your project. The DV8 call for submissions is open ended.

• In what software format should my script be sent in?

The industry standard for writing screenplays is Final Draft, however we do accept screenplays in other formats, including Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and Scriptware.

• What goes into a treatment?

A treatment is essentially a more in depth look at the story, covering sub-plots, characters, themes, and structure in 8-10 pages. It can also include the origins of the project, as in what inspired the story, and the general history of the project.

• What genre stories are you looking for?

We will consider any genre, however please note that a period piece or an epic action film are unlikely to fall within our budget parameters and therefore have little chance of being greenlit for development.

• Are you only looking for South African stories?

Yes we are looking for stories that communicate a unique South African experience or that have very strong South African elements attached.

• Does Dv8 offer scholarships or training funding for writers?

No Dv8 is not a training initiative and does not offer training funding for writers, unless of course a writer's project is selected for development in which case they will be remunerated accordingly through the development phase.

• What is "Chain of Title"?

Chain of title refers to any written proof that the applicant has the film rights to the story they are submitting and are entitled to make the film.