English:Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds (Q194583)

None

The Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) supports audiovisual production in, as well as international co-productions with Flanders. The Fund was set up by the Flemish government in 2002 and is headquartered in Brussels.

The aims of the Flanders Audiovisual Fund are threefold: to develop a sustainable Flemish audiovisual industry, to encourage and support upcoming audiovisual talent and to promote a vibrant audiovisual culture in Flanders.

VAF accomplishes four main tasks. It provides financial support for audiovisual productions (1) and promotes these in Flanders as well as abroad (2). The Fund also grants scholarships, finances professional training and supports/organises workshops (3) as well as carries out surveys on the audiovisual field (4).

1. Production
The Flanders Audiovisual Fund annually receives a €12.5 million grant of the Flemish government. A minimum of 78% of the annual budget goes to production support. Filmmakers can apply for support to fiction, documentary, animation and experimental media production. VAF makes a distinction between four types of support; scriptwriting support, development support, production support and support towards promotion.

All funding applications are examined by external experts with critical skills and a thorough knowledge of the audiovisual field. The Flanders Audiovisual Fund created pools of specialists grouped per category (fiction, documentary, animation and experimental media). After reading the applications, the readers present eir recommendations to the Fund. After discussion with these readers, VAF then prepares a final recommendation for the Board of Directors. It is this Board that decides on the final approval or refusal of the application.

2. Promotion
Flanders Image is a division of the Flanders Audiovisual Fund, taking care of the promotion of Flemish audiovisual productions in Flanders as well as abroad. By combining the three key elements of filmmaking – development, production and promotion – VAF is able to execute a coherent audiovisual policy and back Flemish audiovisual productions with solid promotion.

Flanders Image attends a large number of festivals and markets, such as Rotterdam, Berlin, Cannes and MIP and organises and/or participates in film events abroad that are aimed at supporting Flemish audiovisual productions.

3. Training
A considerable part of the Fund's annual budget (€1 million) is reserved for professional training. The Flanders Audiovisual Fund grants scholarships, finances professional training and supports/organises workshops. It focuses on international projects and allows young filmmakers to gain experience and confidence in filmmaking and gives audiovisual professionals the opportunity to specialise.

4. Research
The Flanders Audiovisual Fund also reserves a modest budget for research related to the audiovisual field. Its focus is on practical surveys.