NFVF Bursary 2027, Requirements & Application

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 31 August 2026
Provider: NFVF
Field of study: Film Production
Study level: Postgraduate, Undergraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The 2027 round closed on 31 August 2026 at 17:00.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 31 August 2026 Expect the 2028 round to open around July 2027. Latest update ↓

The National Film and Video Foundation is the state agency charged with building the South African film and television industry, and its bursary is the main public funding route into the sector. It pays full tuition for film and TV qualifications, and gives first-year students an allowance for accommodation, meals and equipment.

About the NFVF Bursary

Fields: film and television-related diplomas and degrees only, at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Performing arts, acting, music, dance and other courses outside the film and TV category are excluded.
Covers full tuition fees.
First-year students also get meals, accommodation and resources such as textbooks, computers and software, capped at R50 000.
Travel expenses and existing debt are not covered.

NFVF Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen who has completed Matric.
Studying full-time towards a film or television qualification at an accredited South African institution.
A strong academic record with at least a 60% average.
Household income below R600 000 a year. Students at public institutions get preference.

How to apply for the NFVF Bursary

Register an account at nfvf.praxisgms.co.za and log in to apply.
Upload a certified ID and Matric certificate (neither older than six months), certified recent academic transcripts, proof of tertiary acceptance and an annual fees breakdown on the institution’s letterhead, a one-page motivation letter, proof of financial support or income, and a commitment letter from any other bursary provider.
Submit online before 17:00 on the closing date.

NFVF Bursary closing date

31 August 2026 at 17:00 for the 2027 academic year (closed). Expect the end of August 2027 for 2028.

Contact details

Thandekile Hlatshwayo: 011 483 0880, thandekileh@nfvf.co.za
Manti Sekwakwa Mmalebati: mantis@nfvf.co.za

Film students should also see the Netflix scholarship, the AFDA honours bursary and the ACT Nyoloha scholarship.

FAQs

1. When does the NFVF bursary close for 2027? +

31 August 2026 at 17:00 for the 2027 academic year. Applications are online only; faxed and emailed applications are not accepted.

2. What is the NFVF? +

The National Film and Video Foundation, the state agency that develops and funds the South African film and television industry.

3. Which fields? +

Film and television-related diplomas and degrees only, at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Performing arts, acting, music, dance and other courses outside the film and TV category are excluded.

4. What does it cover? +

Full tuition fees. First-year students also get meals, accommodation and resources such as textbooks, computers and software, capped at R50 000. Travel expenses and existing debt are not covered.

5. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens with Matric, studying full-time towards a film or television qualification at an accredited South African institution, with at least a 60% average and a household income below R600 000 a year. Students at public institutions get preference.

6. How do I apply? +

Register and apply at nfvf.praxisgms.co.za, uploading a certified ID and Matric certificate (neither older than six months), certified recent academic transcripts, proof of tertiary acceptance and an annual fees breakdown on the institution's letterhead, a one-page motivation letter, proof of financial support or income, and a commitment letter from any other bursary provider.

Update note (checked September 2026): the 2027 round closed on 31 August 2026 at 17:00. Applications are online only; faxed and emailed applications are not accepted. Expect the 2028 round to open around July 2027.

This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.

Visit the provider’s website

About NFVF

Statutory public entity (Department of Sport, Arts and Culture)

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is a statutory public entity of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. The NFVF exists to support the equitable growth of the South African film and video industry, funding the…

Read the full NFVF profile →

Website: nfvf.co.za

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.