Open Call: October 26, 2020
Deadline: November 9, 2020 at 17:00 Beirut time
The AFAC - Netflix Hardship Fund is an emergency relief fund that aims to support the film and TV community in Lebanon, primarily below-the-line crew, craftspeople, and freelancers who are facing economic hardship resulting from the disruption of normal life, halts in productions, and little to no opportunities in the industry.
The fund comes at a critical time for Lebanon, which has endured tremendous social, political and economic changes since October 2019, coupled with the spread of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the August 4, 2020 devastating port explosion resulting in an unprecedented loss of life, injury and damage to homes, offices and workspaces across the city. Many in the film and television industry are losing critical opportunities to support themselves and their families.
Amounting to half a million dollars, the fund will provide financial support in the form of individual grants of $2000 each.
The AFAC-Netflix partnership falls under the umbrella of the $100 million hardship fund, which Netflix had announced in March 2020, to support creative communities across the world who have been impacted by the pandemic, and which has since increased to $150 million.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be working in the film and/or television industry in Lebanon.
- Applicants can be assistants, coordinators, technicians, and operators from the different departments (production, camera, sound, art direction, make-up, costume, props, post-production, locations and transportation, among others). Priority will be given to below-the-line crew.
- Applicants must be residing in Lebanon
- Applicants must have worked on at least five projects (paid jobs)
- Applicants must have been active in the film and/or television industries for at least the past three years
Submission Process
- The submission process is through an open call. Submissions are registered online through this link (in English or Arabic)
- The deadline for submissions is November 9 at 17:00 Beirut time
- Applications which do not meet the submission guidelines will be excluded and will not be submitted to the jury
- Potential applicants who have difficult/no internet access can contact AFAC
For additional inquiries, please contact the grants management team.
Evaluation and Selection Process
Following the submission deadline, AFAC will conduct an administrative check to ensure that applications are complete and adhere to the guidelines. An independent jury committee comprised of three professionals from the field will assess submissions and select those that will receive support. The jury will evaluate the applications based on a demonstrable need for support as well as the eligibility criteria. Affected persons who have a full-time job can apply for support. These requests will be considered in light of the total number of submissions and available resources. Beneficiaries of other emergency support initiatives can apply for support, but their access to additional support will remain dependent on the number of requests and the availability of resources.