Why do I receive an automatic reply in response to my email?
Annually, close to 800 applications are submitted to the Hubert Bals Fund. The Fund is run by only a small team, consisting of three people year round. Given the vast amount of inquiries that we receive during the Spring and Fall selection rounds, we can unfortunately not respond to all questions directly. On this Frequently Asked Questions page you can find answers to most of the questions we annually receive. Hopefully, you will be able to find your answer in here. In case you cannot find an answer to your question through this page, please know that we will try to get back to you as soon as possible, but within three weeks at the latest.
Who can apply to the Hubert Bals Fund?
Filmmakers or producers from developing countries (as listed on the
DAC List).
What are the different categories of the Hubert Bals Fund that I can apply for?
Please note that the policies and regulations of the Hubert Bals Fund have recently changed.
For the upcoming 2013 Spring selection round,
only the category
Script and Project Development is open for applications.
For the 2013 Fall selection round, the Fund will only take into consideration applications for Script and Project Development and Postproduction/Final Financing.
- What is the Script and Project development category?
A script and project development grant can be used for the further development of the script (e.g. research, writing, translation or hiring a coach or script doctor) but can also be used to present the project to financiers or other potential partners at (international) co-production meetings or film festivals. The maximum contribution for Script and Project development is €10.000.
- What is the Post-production and Final Financing category?
A post-production grant can be used for various activities in the postproduction process (e.g. editing, colour grading or sound mixing), but can also be used as the final financing of the total budget of the film. The maximum contribution of the HBF for this category is €20.000. Please note that in return for its postproduction support, the Hubert Bals Fund requests that the world premiere of the film takes place at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Also, the Fund requests the film's distribution rights for the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Why is it not possible to apply for any of the other categories?
Due to a decrease in the available budget, the HBF is currently reviewing its policies and regulations for 2013. Therefore, not all funding categories will be open for applications these coming rounds.
However, the Hubert Bals Fund will continue to support film projects in the category Script and Project Development and Postproduction/Final Financing. Over the years, the Fund has realized that its support in these two categories can have the greatest impact on the further development or international launch of a film. It is therefore, that the Fund has decided to focus its attention on these two categories in 2013. Please note that it is possible to apply for Script and Project Development support in both the 2013 Spring and Fall selection rounds. The Postproduction/Final Financing category is only open for applications in the 2013 Fall selection round.
When can I again apply for the other categories?
- For the 2013 Spring selection round, only the Script and Project Development category will be open for applications.
- For the 2013 Fall selection round, the Fund will only take applications into consideration for Script and Project Development and Postproduction/Final Financing.
In 2014, the Hubert Bals Fund will again take into consideration applications for the categories Script and Project Development and Postproduction/Final Financing.
I am a producer/writer with a project, but no director is attached yet. Can I apply?
To the Fund, the vision and the talent of a director are essential when making choices; we can thus only accept projects with an director 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 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. Consequently, if a film is set and shot outside one of those countries, the project cannot be accepted by the Fund.
When can I apply?
The Hubert Bals Fund gives financial support twice a year. Application deadlines in 2013 are 7 March and 1 August. All materials need to arrive no later than five days after each deadline. Incomplete projects will not be taken into consideration.
In what languages may I apply?
Applications should be made in English. If you prefer to apply in French, please contact us first.
How do I apply?
Please read our
Rules & Regulations first.
On this website, you can find a link to the Hubert Bals Fund Application Webform, via MyIFFR. Login on your MyIFFR account, fill out this Form and provide us with the requested documents, preferably by uploading them (or by courier/regular post). When filling out the Application Form, it is possible to attach the dossier to the Form (please note that we prefer a single compiled dossier as a PDF file) and include links to your previous work available on an online streaming platform.
In order to attach a file, the file size can not exceed 4 MB.
Only if you are unable to attach the materials to the Application Form, you may send them by e-mail to
hbf@filmfestivalrotterdam.com. When using email, please do
not send ZIP files or Powerpoint Presentations.
When sending documents by courier/regular post, please make sure the pages are not stapled or bound, and please make sure the DVDs are marked with your project's name!
You will receive an email confirming the receipt of your application; due to the amount of applications this may take a few days. Only complete applications will be taken into consideration!
What are the criteria for selection?
Most important for the selection committee is the artistic quality of an application. We will also look closely at the viability of a project. The project should contribute to the development of the local film industry and the local filmmaking skills. The story of the project should be rooted in the culture of the applicant's country. However, 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. However, please note that there have been recent changes to the policies and regulations of the Hubert Bals Fund. More information on the requested materials for the available categories can be found
here.
How do I send my materials?
- For Script & Project development and Digital Production applications: Fill out the application form via MyIFFR. Upload your dossier as a single PDF file and attach it to the form. In the form you can include 2 links to your previous work already available on an online streaming channel. Alternatively, send 2 copies of your previous work on DVD to our office by post/courier.
- For Post-production & Final Financing applications (available again for the 2013 Fall selection round): Fill out the application form via MyIFFR. Upload your dossier as a single PDF file and attach it to the form. Send 2 DVDs with a first cut (preferably English subtitled; if the DVD has no subtitles, please enclose a (time-coded!) English dialogue list) to our office by post/courier.
Please note:
If you send us DVDs (2 copies of each DVD) please make sure the
title of your project and your name are marked on the DVDs.
It is not necessary to send us a hard copy (printed) dossier if you have attached the dossier to the online application form. Please note that we prefer to receive a single compiled PDF file through MyIFFR.
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 is 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 to the amount of pages.
What type of budget plan should I submit?
Please send us the budget for your current production phase. This means that, when applying for Script and Project Development, please send us the Development budget; and if applying for Post-production, please send us the post-production budget. You may also include the total budget but we are mainly 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 numbers that are already secured, but also funds that are still pending. It can include all sorts of financiers (producers, funds, awards, et cetera). Please make sure that it is clear which finances are still pending.
What is a (pre-)production plan?
A production plan is a schedule of dates in which you show when you are doing what work. Such plan includes the whole production of your project, including the expected date of completion. Of course, it is not a problem if none of these dates are fixed yet.
What sort of previous work should I include?
You need to send along previous work of the director when applying for Script & Project Development: either
already available on an online streaming channel or on DVD. You can send us all sorts of work (a short film, a documentary and/or a feature fiction film). Please do not send showreels. We prefer work that has English subtitles.
What is Boost!?
As of 2011, the HBF has joined forces with IFFR's CineMart and Binger Filmlab in organising a special coaching trajectory for HBF supported projects. For more information on Boost! click
here.
Can I submit my documentary projects?
The main focus of the Fund is the support of feature fiction films. Shorts, documentaries and films made for television will not be taken in consideration. All regular (creative) documentary projects are advised to apply to the
IDFA Bertha Fund of the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam. In some specific 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.
As of March 2010, creative documentary applications will only be accepted for the Post-production category.
Does the Fund also support the production of films?
No. In 2013, only applications for Script and Project Development and Postproduction/Final Financing can be submitted to the Hubert Bals Fund. The Digital Production category is unfortunately no longer available for applications.
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. If you are submitting your project in a development phase, it is not necessary to have other financiers in place, since especially at this stage, the Hubert Bals Fund is often the first partner.
I have submitted my project to the Hubert Bals Fund before, but it was not selected. Can I apply again in the same category?
No. Due to the amount of applications the fund receives it is not possible to submit the same dossier twice.
Only short-listed projects will be invited to resubmit.
My project is selected. Can I submit the project for another category as well?
Yes, if your project is selected for Script and Project development support, you are welcome to submit it again for Post-production support. However, please note that in 2013 it will be possible to apply for the Postproduction category in the Fall selection round
only.
When and how do I hear any results?
The Hubert Bals Fund committee needs about ten weeks to finalise a selection. Every applicant will receive an email with a decision about the project . A full list of all selected projects will be published on our website shortly after the selection is made.
What does the Fund expect in return after selection?
Script and Project development:
- If no third party acquires the exclusive distribution rights of the film in the Benelux (the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg) within six months after the film première in the Netherlands, the Hubert Bals Fund wishes to obtain the Benelux distribution rights in order to promote the distribution of your film.
Post-production or Final Financing (available again for the 2013 Fall selection round):
- The finished film will have its world premiere at the IFFR. Premiere invitations from other festivals can only be accepted upon written approval of the Hubert Bals Fund.
- 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.
Can I upload my film to the HBF?
No. We only accept previous work available on
online streaming channels such as Vimeo or YouTube.
Can I send you a link to my film online?
You can send us a link to your previous work available online (streaming!):
For
Script & Project Development applications: YES.
You can include 2 links to your previous work
already available on an online streaming channel in the application form. Alternatively, send 2 copies of your previous work on DVD to our office.
For
Post-production & Final financing applications: NO.
Please send two copies of your film on DVD to our office.