Vicki Fourie from Jeffrey’s Bay Wins NFVF Grant to Create Short Film Focused on Disability Representation
Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa – Vicki Fourie, a talented filmmaker from Jeffrey’s Bay, has been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) to produce a short film this year. Fourie is one of only four successful applicants to win the grant, which was part of a competition under the theme ‘Not What Society Expects.’
The initiative, which sought to highlight the lives and experiences of people with disabilities, invited proposals that focused specifically on disability narratives. The selected proposals were required to feature a captivating and compelling story, centered around a clear and unique concept. Fourie’s proposal, titled ThisAbility, was chosen for its powerful representation and fresh perspective on disability.
The NFVF’s initiative aims to produce short films that not only entertain but also inform and educate audiences, providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives. According to the NFVF, “The films produced out of this initiative will meet the NFVF’s requirements for content that informs, educates, entertains, and offers unique, diverse perspectives.” Each selected filmmaker is tasked with creating a final film of 5 to 10 minutes in length, with Fourie’s ThisAbility set to do just that.
Fourie’s achievement follows her impressive academic background. In 2024, she completed her Bachelor of Arts Honours in Motion Picture Medium with a focus on scriptwriting at AFDA in Port Elizabeth. Graduating with distinction and making the Dean’s List, Fourie’s concept for a short film was chosen out of twelve Honours students. The final film, Is’Thuthi, which was developed based on her own script draft, also explored themes of disability, specifically focusing on a Deaf protagonist. It premièred at Nu Metro Boardwalk in Port Elizabeth in November 2024.
In addition to her practical work, Fourie’s research thesis, titled ‘A Forgotten Audience: Responses of d/Deaf Audiences to Films Depicting d/Deafness,’ delves into the representation of d/Deaf characters in film and the various ways filmmakers can make films more accessible to d/Deaf audiences.
Vicki herself wears cochlear implants, a personal experience that deeply influences her approach to disability representation in her films. Her commitment to authentic and respectful portrayals of disability is a key element in her work, ensuring that the stories she tells resonate with both the disabled community and broader audiences.
Currently, Vicki is working on the first draft, treatment, and character development for ThisAbility. As she prepares for production, she hopes to build a crew from Jeffrey’s Bay to help complete her production company, Sacambaya Films. The name Sacambaya Films is inspired by the Sacambaya River in Bolivia, which, according to legend, housed a hidden hoard of treasure. Vicki reflects on this connection, saying, “With this film company, I aim to uncover the hidden treasures in stories and people—there is so much undiscovered gold waiting to be found if we take the time to look for it.”
Vicki Fourie’s passion for inclusive storytelling, her dedication to elevating marginalized voices in film, and her rich background as a writer and filmmaker make her a rising star in the South African film industry. For more updates on her upcoming short film ThisAbility, follow Vicki on her social media channels and her website www.vickifourie.com.