Netflix and UNESCO are collaborating to launch an innovative short film competition on ‘African Folktales, Reimagined’ across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The winners will have access to training and mentorship by seasoned industry professionals and also take home a US$75,000 production budget to create short films that will premiere on Netflix in 2022 as an “Anthology of African folktales”.
The aim of the competition is to unearth new voices and give emerging filmmakers in Sub-Saharan Africa visibility on a global scale.
Netflix said, “We want to find the bravest, wittiest, and most surprising retellings of some of Africa’s most-loved folktales and share them with entertainment fans around the world in over 190 countries.”
Dalberg will administer the competition which will open on 14 October 2021 until 14 November 2021. Each of the 6 winners will receive a production grant of US$75,000 (through a local production company) to develop, shoot and post-produce their films under the guidance of industry mentors selected by UNESCO & Netflix to ensure everyone involved in the production is fairly compensated. In addition, each of the 6 winners will also receive $25,000.
In June, Netflix launched a training programme with the objective of strengthening the foundation of storytelling in Africa. It also collaborated with Triggerfish to launch Pan-African story artist lab to train and help hone the skills of story artists in Africa.
UNESCO and Netflix both strongly believe in the importance of promoting diverse local stories, and bringing them to the world. They recognize that many emerging filmmakers struggle with finding the right resources and visibility to enable them to fully unleash their talents and develop their creative careers. This competition aims to address these issues and enable African storytellers to take a first step towards showcasing their content to a global audience.
This partnership will also help create sustainable employment and encourage economic growth and it will therefore contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, a series of targets established by the United Nations which aims to end global poverty in all its forms by the end of this decade. This film competition will also help reduce inequalities by facilitating access to global markets and by guaranteeing dignified working conditions. All of these are key goals within the 2030 Agenda.
For the first round, applicants will be required to submit a synopsis of their concept (no more than 500 words) as well as links to a recent CV and a portfolio/ evidence of any past audiovisual work they have produced.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, UNESCO said, “The film sector must ensure that the creativity of Africa is promoted, by supporting young talents and making sure that African filmmakers contribute to the international film industry.”
Ernesto Ottone R., Assistant Director-General for Culture, UNESCO said, “This competition puts a global spotlight on the emerging, homegrown talents of Africa while honoring the storytelling tradition of the continent. By infusing new energy into the folktales, these young filmmakers enable these stories to transcend time, space and culture – from their communities, through a digital platform, into the hearts of audiences around the world.” –
Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO and Chief Content Officer, Netflix said, “Growing up, entertainment was how I connected with people. I fell in love with the stories and characters I saw on screen and experienced how storytelling has the power to inspire, which is why I’m excited about this partnership with UNESCO and the opportunities ahead. Together we will promote local cultures and support the creative industries in telling stories that cross borders, reflect universal truths, and ultimately, bring us together.”
Ben Amadasun, Director of Content in Africa, Netflix said, “Africa has a rich storytelling heritage and a wealth of folktales that have been passed down for generations. When you marry these very local stories with Africa’s emerging talent, there’s no limit to fresh new stories to connect people with African cultures and bring the world that much closer to each other.”
Applications can be submitted via www.netflix-growcreative.com/unesco
