Announcing the NEFT Vodka and IEFTA Annual N.E.F.T.I. (NEFT Emerging Film Talent International) Competition
NEFT Vodka and IEFTA have forged a collaboration to challenge filmmakers in emerging economic regions to showcase their innovative and creative skills by competing in the Third Annual N.E.F.T.I. (NEFT Emerging Film Talent International) competition, giving filmmakers an opportunity to spotlight their visions and creativity, expand the filmmaker’s reach into regions that may otherwise not have been available to them and to showcase the diverse creative process of filmmakers from a variety of backgrounds and environments.
Ten filmmakers will be selected from the applicants to present a zoom pitch of the concept for their film to a panel of judges consisting of three leading film industry professionals – Acclaimed Actress Vivica A Fox, Academy and Tony Award winning producer Bruce Cohen, and President of Post Production 21st Century Fox/Disney Ted Gagliano – and the previous year’s competition winner – Minenhle Luthuli. The ten filmmakers will be narrowed down to three finalists who have 30 days to complete and submit their films.
This year NEFTI will be using a different format called NEFTI Give Me 5, which is a real-time episodic approach to NEFTI. A 5-minute episode will be released every day, documenting the progress of the ten selected filmmakers.
Follow the NEFTI Competition on TikTok for video updates: www.tiktok.com/@nefticompetition
Apply on
www.neftvodkaus.com/nefti
There are no storyline requirements except that it must be non-violent and non-political; and finalists will need to incorporate a product into their film that does not come across as product placement. The product type and brand will be communicated to the 10 chosen finalists.
NEFTI Africa competition started on 01 May 2023 and the three finalist films will be screened at Durban FilmMart on Saturday 22 July 2023 followed by a live viewing of the judges’ deliberation and the winner of the $5000 prize will be announced. There will also be an opportunity for the audience and greater community to vote for an additional award, the viewer’s choice award, the winner will receive $2000. All three finalists will receive an Adobe Creative Cloud license courtesy of Adobe.
ABOUT NEFT VODKA
Crafted in the Rhaetian Alps of Austria for its oxygen-rich spring water, NEFT combines four different types of non-GMO ancient rye grains, and uses a triple, copper-pot distillation process with carbon-layer filtering to produce a vodka with a refined flavor profile. Since debuting in the U.S., NEFT has received multiple accolades and awards, including a 98-point rating from The Tasting Panel magazine; won Double Gold medals at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, becoming one of only two vodkas to win that recognition consecutively for two years and significantly, in the same competition, won “Best Vodka”.
NEFT Vodka is an ultra-premium Austrian vodka brand that embraces art, creativity, and the belief that life is a story worth telling. We believe that every story is a learning experience and enhances us in some way, especially ones that are foreign to our everyday life. We created this competition to give filmmakers in emerging economies an opportunity to create stories and spotlight them on an international platform.
NEFTI Africa and Durban FilmMart
Durban Filmmart is the natural choice to launch NEFTI Africa as Durban FilmMart speaks directly to established and emerging directors, scriptwriters, producers, filmmakers, creatives and actors in Africa and provides direct and deliberate access to these changemakers.
Durban FilmMart, Africa’s leading film industry event, will return for its 14th edition under the theme of African Constellations from 21 – 24 July 2023 in Durban, South Africa.
Early Bird registration for physical participation is now open until end of June.
Visit durbanfilmmart.co.za to review the options.
