The Hubert Bals Fund of the International Film Festival Rotterdam supports filmmakers from developing countries with contributions in the stages of script development, post-production and distribution. Annually between 20 to 40 filmproductions are realised with the support of the Hubert Bals Fund. In order to stimulate Dutch producers to get involved in international co-productions, and to support the Hubert Bals Fund projects in the stage of actual production as well, the Netherlands Film Fund (Nederlands Film Fonds) and the HBF set up the Hubert Bals Fund Plus.

Approximately half of the films realised with support of the HBF, are made in cooperation with European coproducers. The International Film Festival Rotterdam would like to offer Dutch producers the opportunity to participate in international and artistically acclaimed productions through the extensive network of the Hubert Bals Fund.

As of 2006, the Netherlands Film Fund has made annually €200.000 available for the Hubert Bals Fund Plus. Click here to view past selections. Applications can be granted with a maximum of € 50.000 for a Hubert Bals Fund project, which already received script and project development support, co-produced by a Dutch producer.

The January 2012 Hubert Bals Fund Plus Guide is available for download here (PDF file). This Guide contains all eligible projects and contact details of eligible Dutch production companies.

REGULATIONS

Application deadlines are 1 April 2012 and 1 October 2012. All materials should arrive no later than 5 days after the deadline.

Conditions

• the project should have previously received support by the Hubert Bals Fund in the stage of Script and Project development
• the project should have a Dutch producer attached
• the project should be submitted by the Dutch producer
• 50 % of the contribution of the HBF Plus should be spent in the Netherlands
• the total budget of the film should not exceed €800.000

Considerations by the committee

Applications shall be reviewed by the Hubert Bals Fund and the Netherlands Film Fund. The following criteria will be taken into account:

• the artistic quality of the project
• the track record of the director and attached producers
• the participation of the Dutch producer
• the financial plan of the project (there should be a strong possibility that the rest of the finance will be found)

Requested materials

• Updated synopsis
• Director’s statement
• Script (in English)
• Budget
• Finance plan (listing the contributions of attached partners)
• Expenditure plan Dutch Producer
• Resume of the Director
• Company profile of the Dutch producer
• Company profiles of the other involved producers
• Production Schedule

Sending application
Please fill out our online application form (use category: "HBF Plus") via MyIFFR and send all requested materials hard copy in twofold to our office. The application form will be available one month before the deadline.

Decision
The selected projects will be announced approximately 1 month after the deadline.