The five producers and their projects will be selected by the ATFT in collaboration with the Marché du Film and the Rotterdam CineMart, with preference given to producers who have completed a theatrically released film.

The programme consists of three stages: firstly producers will partake in the Rotterdam Lab in January 2016, next the producers and their projects will be work-shopped in South Africa two months prior to the Marché du Film, and lastly the producers will attend Cannes and be enrolled in the Producers Network, where they will be spotlighted at one of the Breakfast Meetings of the Producers Network. In Cannes, meetings with distributors and financiers will also be arranged to support further development of their projects.

The Rotterdam Lab is a five-day training workshop for young and emerging producers designed to build up their international network and their experience at an international festivals and markets. Participation in the Rotterdam Lab provides producers with the confidence and skills to navigate the festival circuit and meet professionals who can help finance their projects.

Alongside the panel discussions, participants take part in so-called ‘speed dating’ sessions in which they meet with industry delegates in person and receive advice about their own projects. In addition to the organised Lab programme, producers can strengthen their network and participate in all other CineMart events, like networking lunches, cocktails and other panels.

The workshop in South Africa will take place over three days with two experts bringing their expertise on international co-production and international distribution. The two experts will follow-up with the five delegates after the workshop to help them prepare for their participation to the Producers Network at the Marché du Film in Cannes.

The Producers Network hosts more than 500 producers from around the world for a series of meetings and unique events specifically designed to stimulate international co-production and optimise networking. During the week, with a different programme each day, producers are given opportunities to meet the potential partners that will move their projects forward, namely co-producers, sales agents, distributors and financiers.

The South African producers selected to participate in this programme will be presented at one of the Breakfast Meetings as well as being introduced to a selection of international guests during a luncheon organised by the Marché du Film and ATFT.

To apply to the programme, ATFT database members need to respond to the callout they will receive on email and apply to both the Rotterdam CineMart and Marché du Film delegations and submit their project via the online application form.

For more information on the Association for Transformation in Film and Television or to join the database, visit www.filmandtvtransformation.org. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.