Gender Assessment Study of South African Film Industries

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, is seeking a qualified service provider to conduct an assessment study of gender matters in the South African film industries for the 2026/2027 period. The study aims to evaluate the current state of gender equality in the sector and to identify the structural and institutional barriers that continue to limit women's participation, representation, and advancement across film production and leadership roles. Its scope covers gender representation across key occupations, including producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, technical crew, distribution, and marketing; barriers to entry; and gender-based access to skills development, mentorship, and career advancement. It also requires an evaluation of working conditions and workplace experiences, including long working hours, family and parenting support, pregnancy discrimination, and the prevalence and reporting mechanisms for sexual harassment. The role of advocacy groups and the support structures available to women in the industry must be examined and their impact assessed.

The service provider will be expected to implement a mixed-methods research approach using surveys, focus groups, or interviews, supported by a desktop review of South African and international studies, policies, legislation, and strategies on gender inequality in film. The assignment includes an international benchmarking component, selecting comparable film industries to identify working policies, interventions, and global best practices. The deliverables include an inception report covering methodology, work plan, and benchmarking framework; an interim report presenting preliminary findings and stakeholder validation; a comprehensive final report with infographics, case studies, comparative analysis, and policy recommendations; and a final version incorporating NFVF input. The provider must also present findings at a stakeholder workshop with the NFVF and industry bodies. The project must be completed within 12 weeks of appointment.

Bidders are evaluated in three stages: administrative compliance (including CSD registration, valid tax compliance, SBD forms, company registration documents, and B-BBEE certificate), functionality (minimum threshold of 70 out of 100 points, covering company experience in film, television, social sciences, or gender studies, project leader experience, methodology, and client references), and finally price and specific goals, weighted 80/20. Successful bidders will deliver evidence-based recommendations and a measurable intervention framework that can strengthen gender equality in the South African film sector. Benefits to the successful provider include a high-visibility national research assignment with a public-sector agency and the opportunity to shape policy in a sector central to cultural expression and economic growth.