PRODUCERS’ LAB PITCH
THE PRODUCERS’ LAB PITCH @ THE 13TH EDITION OF AFRIFF
Have you ever thought of producing a nature, wildlife or conservation film? Are you passionate about environmental topics, wildlife or climate change?
The world consumes so much of Africa’s wildlife and natural history yet African nature & wildlife filmmakers are rarer than many of the species conservationists seek to protect!
The time is now to share the natural world, conservation, climate change, resilience and environmental stories from all across the African continent!
This initiative is a collaboration between NEWF and the Africa International Film Festival.
Applications are open to emerging African storytellers, scientists and conservationists AND early-career filmmakers with 5-7 years industry experience. This Edition of AFRIFF will accept up to 3 fellows into the 2025 NEWF Producers’ Lab Fellowship Program.
Each selected Fellow will receive approximately 3500 - 4500 USD for research, development, production and post-production to produce an 8-minute documentary short film exploring themes of nature, wildlife, environmental challenges or success stories, conservation and/or climate change & resilience.
Accepted Fellows will join our diverse community of African storytellers, conservationists and scientists.
It is important to note that this fellowship is ONLY open to African citizens born and residing on the African continent.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED!
Supporting emerging and early career visual storytellers and scientists the NEWF Producers’ Lab is an opportunity to be awarded funding to produce a non-fiction/documentary short film in the nature, wildlife, environmental and/or conservation genre. Selected Fellows participate in a year-long program, are mentored by industry professionals, attend hybrid workshops and are guided through the filmmaking ecosystem from research to final delivery, focusing on developing story and enhancing the producer skillset.
5 Applicants will be shortlisted to pitch live at the 12th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos, Nigeria
Selected shortlisted candidates will receive travel, accommodation & accreditation to attend AFRIFF 2023 (if required)
Up to 3 candidates will be selected to participate in the 2025 NEWF Producers’ Lab Fellowship Program
SELECTED FELLOWS WILL RECEIVE
A ZAR 75 000 / approx. $4500 (USD) grant to develop and produce their film
Mentorship and Support from industry professionals.
All expenses covered, i.e. flights, accommodation, ground transfers, meals & accreditation for the in-person workshops, AFRIFF 2024 and NEWF Fellows Summit & Congress 2025
(terms and conditions apply)
OUTCOMES
Each filmmaker will develop and produce an 8 - 10 minute short documentary film.
SCHEDULE
18th October 2024: Deadline for applications
31st October 2024: 5 x Shortlisted candidates notified
Selected shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend AFRIFF 2024 and must be available to pitch live between
November 5th - 7th 2024.
5th-7th November 2024: In-Person | 5 x Shortlisted candidates attend Story and Pitching Session at AFRIFF in Lagos, Nigeria
(Program TBC)
January 2025 - February 2025: Welcome to the NEWF Community & Onboarding
31 March - 4th April 2025: Selected Fellows attend NEWF Fellows Summit & Congress in South Africa.
March 2025: Fellowship kick-off
** Dates are subject to change.
** Weekly and/or fortnightly online sessions will be hosted throughout the Lab
** Further in-person workshops in 2025 to be confirmed
// Courses will be conducted in English.
// Applicants must be able to commit availability to the schedule set out above.
// Only shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.
For more info contact storylabs@newf.co.za
The Producers’ Lab Pitch at AFRIFF is supported by
