PACOFS invites entries for streaming project

Staff Reporter

The Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) is inviting artists from across the province to submit short videos to be considered for a streaming project designed to support them in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deadline for submissions is June 5 and those interested can submit videos in a host of categories, including drama, dance, music, poetry, puppetry, illusionist, comedy, storytelling, photography and others.

The videos should not be more than 15 minutes in length and artists with successful entries will be paid when their material is broadcast as part of the Live@PACOFS Streaming Project on a date to be announced.

PACOFS chief executive officer Peter Pedlar says his organisation is fully aware of the impact COVID-19 has had on artists as they are not able to do their work normally due to the national lockdown.

“Our hope is to at least soften the impact for artists during this unprecedented time,” he said in a statement.

“PACOFS is acutely cognisant of the challenges posed by COVID-19 and continues to explore various ways to provide relief for creatives in the Free State province, the first of which is a Live@PACOFS Streaming Project intended to give performing artists the opportunity to benefit financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

A fee will be paid to artists whose videos are selected for streaming on PACOFS digital channels.

Pedlar said measures put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus have proved detrimental to the livelihoods of artists around the country as they cannot showcase their work.

“The Live@PACOFS streaming project is targeted at Free State artists whose income and livelihoods are largely or solely dependent on their ability to use their craft to secure bookings for live performances, but cannot do so during the national lockdown,” he said.

PACOFS said it will also assist artists with no access to appropriate recording facilities.

It said material to be submitted must, among others, be thought-provoking and demonstrate originality and uniqueness.

PACOFS said the content can be aligned to various nationally observed celebrations including the Youth Month, Mandela Month, Women’s Month and Heritage Month.

Productions giving personal experiences about the COVID-19 are also welcome as well as content that is purely intended for entertainment.

PACOFS also wants artists to demonstrate artistic eloquence and technique and the videos must be audible with clear picture.