HUBERT BALS FUND (HBF)
The Hubert Bals Fund is the grant programme of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) — one of the world's most prestigious festivals. Named after IFFR founder Hubert Bals (who died in 1988), it was established in his honour to support innovative cinema from regions where film industries are underfunded. With an annual budget of approximately EUR 1.2 million, it operates two grant rounds per year and has supported hundreds of African films across its 37-year history. African filmmakers apply directly — no Dutch partner required for the initial development grant.
Deadline
2026 deadlines to be announced. Based on historical pattern: approximately 1 March and 1 August. Check iffr.com/en/hubert-bals-fund for confirmation.
Cost
FREE — No application fee
Format
Feature-length fiction films (over 60 minutes) primarily. Some creative documentary films with strong cinematic vision. NOT short films, TV series, or films made for television.
Eligibility
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN FILM & SERIES MAKERS | 2025/2026 EDITION | Updated March 2026 Compiled March 2026 directed by Cati Weinek with Fab Claude.. Always verify deadlines and eligibility on official programme websites before applying. Directors and producers from HBF-eligible African countries. Must live and work in the eligible country. No Dutch partner required for development grant. IMPORTANT: A project is NOT eligible if it has already participated in more than one industry lab or development programme — plan applications to labs and funds carefully.
What You Get
Script and Project Development: up to EUR 10,000. Production support (digital): up to EUR 20,000. Post-production: up to EUR 30,000. Distribution in home country: up to EUR 15,000. Through the NFF+HBF Co-production Scheme, projects with HBF development support can apply to the Netherlands Film Fund for additional production financing through a Dutch minority co-producer.
What to Submit
Application form in English, script or treatment, director biography, financing plan, and previous work sample. Applications submitted online through the IFFR portal.
Insider Tips
CRITICAL RULE: The HBF and the IDFA Bertha Fund (entry 11) CANNOT be combined on the same project. HBF is better for fiction feature films; IBF is better for documentaries. Choose only one for each project.
Watch for 2026 deadline announcements at iffr.com — historically around 1 March and 1 August each year.
Verify dates and eligibility on the official website before applying.
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