Netflix reups partnership with SASFED & IPO for COVID-19 relief fund

There are now more funds to provide relief for workers in South Africa’s Film and TV industry with Netflix’s donation of a further R7.5 million to the Covid-19 Relief Fund.

The fund was established in 2020 in collaboration with the South African Screen Federation (SASFED) and supported by the Independent Producers Organisation (IPO).

In March 2020, Netflix announced a $100M (R1.4 billion) global Hardship Fund to help the hardest-hit workers in the creative community across the world affected by the pandemic, which has since been increased to $150M.

As part of this initiative, the global streaming company contributed R8,3 million in July 2020, which was administered by Tshikululu to below-the-line workers in the South African film and television industry whose livelihoods have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phase One

There were thousands of applications received from all over the country, with one-time benefits of R15 000 granted to more than 500 eligible below-the-line workers until the fund was depleted.

The additional R7.5 million will ensure that more workers get the support they need and to make the process more efficient, we will prioritise eligible applicants who had already applied in 2020 and were unsuccessful due to depleted/lack of funds.

Tshikululu will reach out to the eligible applicants via email in the coming days to request updated compliance documentation.

Please note: This Covid-19 Relief Fund is separate from – but will exist alongside – the recently-announced South African Screen Sector Support Fund (SASSSF) which will also provide much-needed relief to South Africa’s creative industry.

What does this mean for the film & TV industry?

With the recent additional donation by Netflix, there’s now an opportunity for more below-the-line workers to be eligible to receive a grant – if they choose to be reconsidered and provide the requested updated compliance documentation.

Who is eligible for this second round of funds?

The funds are only available to applicants who submitted their applications for the 2020 relief fund and were eligible for funding (after the screening and evaluation process) but, due to funding limitations, were unable to receive support. The additional donation means there’s now an opportunity for them to be eligible to receive a grant if they choose to be reconsidered and provide the requested updated compliance documentation.

I applied in the first round in 2020; do I automatically qualify for funding?

No. The fund will be available for eligible applications from 2020 who were unsuccessful because of fund limitation however, the applicant will have to choose to be reconsidered and provide the requested updated compliance documentation in order to qualify for the funding.

How will applicants know if they’re in consideration for this fund?

A system-generated email from Tshikululu will be sent to them with instructions on how to renew their application for the fund, should they wish to. They will also need to update their personal information on the link provided and upload the required supporting documents (mainly, a three months bank statements).

What other documents are required?

Tshikululu is required by the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (38 of 2001, as amended) (the FIC Act) to vet beneficiaries. As part of this process you will be requested to submitted:

1. Identification document (ID) in format of a certified copy of a national ID and/or a valid passport, and/or a valid refugee or asylum seeker permit;
2. Proof of residential address in the format of a utility or retail bill, a lease agreement, a sworn affidavit, or an affidavit from the landlord;

How long do eligible applicants have to make a decision to be considered?

Tshikululu will give applicants a period of two weeks to update their details before closing the portal. This will ensure that those who decline the opportunity can make way for other eligible applicants to be considered for the Covid-19 Relief Fund .

Will I get the funding once I’ve submitted my updated documents?

No, submitting all application documents does not guarantee funding. Documents are to help verify that you’re still eligible for the fund.

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This article first appeared on the SASFED Blog