German broadcaster DW’s Akademie Film Development Fund has selected 15 filmmakers from Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda as recipients of its 2023 grants. Each will receive one year of funding, mentorship and training opportunities.
The DW Akademie Film Development Fund was launched in 2021, aiming to contribute to social change, freedom of expression, and the economic empowerment of local African storytellers.
The programme, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), helps the grantees to work on the development of their films.
Grant recipients receive €10,000, are matched with an experienced script mentor and have access to tailor-made training and networking opportunities. Workshops and skills development trainings will be led by industry professionals.
Each successful grantee must have made at least one released film and have a ready concept for a feature-length documentary, fiction or hybrid film. The programme is designed to support the filmmakers as they work to take their proposed films through the development stage. It has already supported 15 filmmakers in developing their film projects.
2023 DW Akademie Film Development Fund grantees:
Ethiopia:
Henok Legesse Birhanu, Manbeb, Metsaf ena Manenet
Abigail Megbar Debebe, Abyot
Habtamu Gebrehiwot, The Fortunate!
Bontu Shiferaw, Aware
Leul Shoaferaw, Tiny Grain. Big War
Tanzania:
Freddy Feruzi, A Message to the President
Kelvin Kagambo, Asante
Frank Sylvester Machiya, Wagumu
Neema Ngelime, The Ones with The Tempered Flowers
Ritha Saxon, 1 in 10
Uganda:
Daisy Masembe, Nekesa
Ruth Nazzinda, Revenge Porn Ug
Patience Nitumwesiga, The Stone that Moved
Daniel Semulema, The King’s Portrait
Ivan Tusabe, What Shines on the Shore
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