I joined the hour-long July 14 public info session hosted by the Next Narrative Africa Fund to hear how the team is publicly framing its open call for script development grants. The session featured Akunna Cook (Next Narrative Africa), Samia Yakub (comms), and Darcy Heusel (Greenlight Committee chair).
Much of what was shared confirmed details already covered in previous Akoroko dispatches. But several points were either newly stated or clarified more explicitly than in the fund’s previously published materials.
What follows is a summary of those clarifications.
1. Impact Themes: Expanded Definition
While the fund’s official language refers to five focus areas—democracy and governance, equity, health, climate, and inclusive economic growth—the session added more specificity:
– Mental health was separated from general health. Applicants can frame mental health as a standalone impact theme.
– Race, colorism, tribalism, and class inequality were included
– Most importantly, projects are not required to center these issues, but must demonstrate thematic alignment or commentary. It’s less about issue-based storytelling and more about awareness of the context your story operates in.
2. Gender Lens: Stronger Expectations
The fund is not requiring stories “about” gender but emphasized:
– Preference for projects that improve social norms around women and girls
– Strong female characters and healthy portrayals of masculinity
– Reference to the Bechdel Test as a baseline—a starting point for avoiding reductive gender portrayals.
– Gender lens must be organic and embedded, not symbolic. The gender lens should be part of the story’s design.
3. Project Readiness: Script Finishing, Not Concept Stage
The fund repeatedly framed this round as a “script finishing grant”:
– Projects that are fully scripted are not a fit unless further development is clearly justified
– Concept-only ideas without a writer in place are unlikely to be competitive
– Teams are expected to be able to complete a production-ready script within 6–12 months
4. Creative Track Record
While the fund is open to first-time writers, they are expected to be attached to teams with production or distribution experience. The Greenlight Committee will prioritize:
– Past festival selection or critical acclaim
– Audience reach through digital or independent work (e.g. YouTube success)
– Demonstrated ability to complete and deliver projects
5. Equity Fund Details
This development round is intended to feed into future equity investment:
– Equity investments will likely be capped at 20% of a project’s budget
– Project-level equity investments will likely cap at $1.5 million
– Equity financing is expected to begin 9–12 months after this round
– Applicants must grant the fund right of first negotiation
In essence, this grant round is meant to identify projects the fund might invest in later. If selected, the fund could help finance production, covering up to 20% of your total budget, with a likely cap around $1.5 million.
That phase of financing isn’t open yet but is expected to launch within a year. If you take a grant now, you agree to let the fund be the first to consider investing.
6. Additional Application Guidance
– A script or standalone treatment is strongly encouraged
– A short video introduction from the creator is recommended
– TV projects should outline early distribution thinking, even if informal
– Non-English projects are eligible, but materials must be submitted in English
– Projects must show at least 50% of production taking place on the continent
– North African applicants are eligible
7. Clarifications on Access
– Anyone can apply; no agency or producer representation is required
– Only one project per writer is allowed
– Development budget proposals must be tailored and justified. No default asks for 100K
Reminders
– Deadline: August 1, 2025 at 11:59pm ET
– Submission form: nextnarrativeafricafund.com/pitch
– Contact: submissions@nextnarrativeafricafund.com
– The full webinar will be posted on the fund’s website and YouTube channel
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This is the third Akoroko Premium dispatch on the fund’s open call. The first covered the structure and opportunity. The second issued a correction following HEVA Fund’s withdrawal. This update captures what has been clarified via public-facing outreach since then.
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