The National Book Council Film Adaptation Fund 2021 opens for applications from 17 May to 30 August 2021


The objective of the NBC Film Adaptation Fund is to further promote Maltese literary works by supporting the production of a feature film adaptation of a National Book Prize winning or shortlisted novel. The fund seeks to address all stages of development and production of one winning project with a maximum financial allocation of โ‚ฌ200,000. The fund will awarded according to the decision of an independent evaluation panel. The first call for applications opened in July 2019.

Who can apply?

The NBC welcomes applications from audiovisual production companies with previous experience in various forms of filmmaking. Audiovisual production companies applying for the Fund should be registered as such in Malta or Europe, and at least one of either the Producer/s, the Writer/s, or Director/s must be a Maltese citizen or hold a permanent residence status in Malta.

Applicants interested in adapting a National Book Prize novel must hold the rights to adapt the novel into a feature-length film, produce and distribute the film, in the form of an option agreement, with the author of novel/holder of copyright for a minimum of a 30-month period prior to submitting their application.

Regulations

The NBC will only consider applications for film adaptations (80 minutes or longer) of works awarded the National Book Prize, or shortlisted, in the category of Novels in Maltese and English, since the Prizeโ€™s inception in 1971.

Applications will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility before being passed on to an independent adjudicating panel. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch their proposed project after which the adjudicating panel will select one project to be awarded the production grant. The beneficiary will be required to enter into a contractual agreement with the NBC by December 2021, and expected to deliver a final cut of the film to the NBC in 2023. The complete Regulations and Assessment Criteria can be found in the Guidelines for Applicants.

Key Dates

How to apply

Apply by posting or delivering 4 hard copies of the Application Form and other mandatory documents to Michael Mercieca by 30 August 2021 at National Book Council, Central Public Library, Joseph Mangion Street, Floriana, FRN 1800.

The Guidelines contain information to guide you with your application, including General Regulations and Assessment Criteria. Please make sure to read the Guidelines carefully and in their entirety, including all Annexes.

Contact us

If you have doubts about the eligibility or completeness of your application, it is strongly recommended that you contact us before submitting your application.

For further information or clarifications you can email NBC administrators or call at +356 27131574.

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Documents

Guidelines for Applicants

Application Form