Next Narrative Africa Fund – Inaugural Development Grant

Location
Africa (Projects must have 50% or more production in Africa and an African or African-diaspora creative leadership)

Open to
African and African-diaspora filmmakers developing narrative feature films or episodic series aligned with the Fund’s goals of narrative change and commercial viability.

Application Fee
None stated

What’s Provided
Development grants ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 to support:

  • Script writing and editing

  • Research and subject matter consulting

  • Content testing and audience research

Funding aims to enable completion of scripts ready for production within 6–12 months.

What the Applicant Must Cover
Not specified.

Duration
Projects should complete development within 9–12 months, with a maximum of 2 years before potential grant recoupment.

Deadline
August 1, 2025

Additional Notes

  • Narrative storytelling only; documentaries and reality TV are not eligible.

  • All genres accepted.

  • Projects about common Africa stereotypes such as war and poverty will be scrutinized for narrative change potential.

  • Applicants must submit a completed application form, treatment deck, timeline/budget, and optionally a draft script or trailer.

  • Fund requires rights agreements including “Right of First Negotiation” and crediting Next Narrative Africa Fund.

  • Notifications to funded applicants in early-mid November.

  • One submission per writer; production companies may submit multiple projects with different writers.

  • Priority given to projects with commercial viability, global appeal, and positive impact on norms benefiting women and girls.