Frequently Asked Questions about the Hubert Bals Fund
Who can apply?
Filmmakers or producers from developing countries (as listed on the DAC-list).
I am a producer/writer with a project, but no director is attached yet. Can I apply?
The vision and the talent of the filmmaker are essential for the fund when making it’s choices, therefore we can only accept projects where a director is attached.
My country of development/production is not on the DAC-list, can I still apply?
In order for a project to be eligible for support from the Hubert Bals Fund, both the country of development and of the production should be one of the countries on the DAC-list. It is also essential that the filmmaker is a citizen of one of these countries. Countries that have recently joined the European Union are no longer eligible for support from the Hubert Bals Fund, but are able to apply for MEDIA funding.
I am a filmmaker from one of the developing countries, but my film will be set elsewhere. Can I apply?
The Hubert Bals Fund support should contribute to the local film industry in one of the developing countries. Therefore in case a film is set and shot outside one of those countries, the project unfortunately cannot be accepted by the fund.
When can I apply?
The Hubert Bals Fund gives financial support twice a year. Application deadlines are March 1 and August 1. All materials need to be in our office no later than five days after this deadline. Incomplete projects will not be taken into consideration.
In which languages can I apply?
Applications should be made in English or in French.
How do I apply?
Please read our Rules & Regulations first.
On our website you can find a link to the Hubert Bals Fund Application Webform. You need to fill out this form and provide us with the requested materials, either by e-mail or regular post. After filling out the Application Form it is possible to attach up to five documents to the form. If you need to send more than five documents, please send them by e-mail to hbf@filmfestivalrotterdam.com
When using e-mail, please do not send ZIP-files or Powerpoint Presentations.
When sending documents by regular post, please make sure the pages are not stapled or bound. You will receive an e-mail confirming the receipt of your application.
What are the criteria for selection?
Most important for the selection committee is the artistic quality of an application. We also look closely at the viability of a project. The project should contribute to the development of the local film industry and the local film-making skills. The story of the project should be rooted in the culture of the applicant's country. But the Fund has no rigid rules and each individual project will be judged on its own merits.
What are the Hubert Bals Funds Rules and Regulations?
Our Rules and Regulations can be found here.
What are the requested materials?
The requested materials differ per category. More information on the different categories can be found here.
Script and project development
- synopsis
- treatment
- budget for script and project development
- financial plan
- (pre-)production plan
- filmography of the filmmaker(s) and producer(s)
- previous films of the filmmaker on DVD
Digital Production
- synopsis
- script (or for documentaries, detailed description of the film including style, method of work, and research)
- production budget
- financial plan
- production plan
- filmography of the filmmaker(s) and producer(s)
- previous films of the filmmaker on DVD
Post-production funding or final-financing
- a subtitled DVD (or VHS) with the rough cut or rushes; in case the DVD has no subtitles please enclose the English or French dialogue list
- synopsis
- post-production schedule
- detailed postproduction budget
- financial plan
- filmography of the filmmaker(s) and producer(s)
What is a treatment?
A treatment is generally longer and more detailed than a synopsis and it may include details of directorial style. A treatment reads like a short story: it's the full story of the film in its simplest form. The average number of pages is 7-12 but the Fund does not have a limitation on the amount of pages.
What type of budget should I submit?
Please send us the budget for your current production phase. So, when applying for Script and project development, please send us the Development budget. You may also include the total budget but we are mostly interested in the budget for the phase for which you are applying.
What is a financial plan?
A financial plan explains how you are planning to finance your project. It includes finance that is already secured, but also finance that is still pending. It can include all sorts of financiers (producers, funds, awards, etcetera). Please make sure it is clear which finance is still pending.
What is a (pre-)production plan?
A production plan is a sort of calendar in which you show when you are doing what work. The production plan shows the whole production of the film, including the expected date of completion. Of course it is no problem if none of these dates are fixed yet.
What sort of previous work should I include?
For all application categories we need to receive previous work of the director on DVD (or VHS). You can send us all sorts of work (shorts, documentaries and/or feature fiction films). Please do not send showreels, we prefer full length films.
The different categories of the Hubert Bals Fund:
a. What is Script and Project development category?
The maximum contribution for Script and Project development is 10.000 Euro.
For your application, we need to receive either a treatment (8 to 10 pages) or a first draft of a script, as well as all other requested materials.
b. What is Digital production category?
Funding up to 20.000 Euro for Digital Production, of a film with a maximum budget of 100.000 Euro.
The 100.000 Euro budget for Digital Production should include the full production of the film. A possible transfer to 35mm is not included in this amount, but our Digital Production support is meant for ultra low budget productions. When selected, the finished film will (preferably) have its World Premiere during the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
c. What is Postproduction and Final Financing category?
In case funding has run out prematurely, Hubert Bals Fund support can help to finish a film. Funding up to € 30.000 towards the postproduction of a film. This can either be still in the editing or mixing period, but can also be used for making a blow-up of the film.
The finished film will automatically be selected for the International Film Festival Rotterdam and (preferably) have its World Premiere here.
d. What is Special projects category?
This category is aimed at various initiatives that are contributing to the film climate in developing countries. These initiatives can vary from workshops in the field of filmmaking, project platforms or special distribution or exhibition initiatives organized in countries on the DAC-list. The support in this category can be up to € 10.000 towards workshops and up to € 15.000 towards distribution plans.
Can documentary projects apply?
The Funds main focus is the support of feature fiction films. Shorts, documentaries and films specially made for television cannot be taken in consideration.
All regular (creative) documentary projects are advised to apply to the Jan Vrijman Fund of the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA).
In some cases the Hubert Bals Fund has supported documentary films. These projects always had a strong cinematic approach and were usually films that play with fiction or have a more experimental approach. Please keep in mind that the Hubert Bals Fund is designed to support feature fiction films.
Does the Fund also support the production of films?
The Fund operates with 4 different categories:
- Script & Project Development
- Digital Production
- Postproduction or Final Financing
- Special Projects
Only ultra lowbudget projects (maximum total budget: € 100.000) can apply for Digital Production support.
Is it necessary to have other financiers/partners in place?
Applicants approaching the Fund should have other interested partners in place. For the Fund to participate in a project, there should be a strong possibility that the rest of the finance can be found. In case of applying in the development phase it is not necessary to have other financiers in place. Especially in this stage, the Hubert Bals Fund is often the first partner.
I submitted my project before to the Hubert Bals Fund, but it was not selected. Can I apply again in the same category?
Due to the amount of applications the fund receives it is not possible to submit the same dossier twice. Only when there have been considerable changes since the last application, you may apply again. Please inform us on these changes when you apply.
When and how do I hear the results?
The Hubert Bals Fund committee needs around 10 weeks to finalize the selection. Every applicant will receive an e-mail in which the decision on the project will be announced. A full list of all selected projects will be published on our website shortly after the selection is made.
What does the Fund want in return?
Script and Project development:
If no third party acquires the exclusive distribution rights of the Film in the Benelux (Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg) within 6 months after the premiere of the Film in the Netherlands, the Hubert Bals Fund wishes to obtain the Benelux distribution rights in order to promote the distribution of your film.
Digital Production and Postproduction or Final-financing:
In exchange for its financial contribution the Hubert Bals Fund wishes to obtain the exclusive distribution rights of the film in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg;
After recoupment of the HBF’s support the income will be shared with the filmmaker.