DW Akademie Film Development Fund : calls for applications

Deadline : October 25, 2021

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund has been designed to support filmmakers from the Global South who are passionate about storytelling and want to build their careers.

We are looking for filmmakers from Uganda or Tanzania who have already made one or more films and would now like support in developing their next project!

We offer a comprehensive, year-long program that includes financial support, professional mentoring and training.

Two independent juries will award five filmmakers (director or writer) per country to receive up to 10,000 Euros to contribute to the development of their film project.

Eligibility

Filmmakers (directors/scriptwriters) who are based in Tanzania or Uganda and have worked in a professional context on at least one fictional or non-fictional production are eligible to apply. The film needs to have been released either locally or internationally (e.g., theatrical release, screening in a national or international festival, TV broadcast, digital third-party broadcast, streaming/VOD).

Please note that you must be a Ugandan or Tanzanian citizen to apply. Filmmakers from the diaspora are not eligible.

Eligible formats are fictional and non-fictional feature-length films (at least 60 minutes) currently in development.

The fund focuses on the development stage of a film’s overall production. This is the phase for creating ideas, writing screenplays, acquiring financing, contracting rights etc.

Development activities eligible for funding include, but are not limited to: work on your screenplay, research (travel), production of a mood reel, participation in labs (lab and travel fees), acquiring financing for production (work on further funding applications, travel to festivals, etc), location and/or character/protagonist scouting, etc.

If you are unsure whether your planned activities are eligible for funding, please contact DW Akademie: dw-akademie.film-fund@dw.com

How to apply

Please read the guidelines and FAQs before proceeding to the application form.

An information meeting for all interested applicants will take place shortly after the call for applications and will be repeated shortly before the application deadline. We will inform you about the time and place of the meeting on this website.

Selection process

Two independent juries made up of three international film professionals from the Global South will select five filmmakers per country.

The announcement of the selected filmmakers will be made approximately two months after the application deadline.

The calls for proposals in Tanzania and Uganda are independent of each other. Each country has its own competition with its own selection process.

If you need support or have any questions, please contact us at dw-akademie.film-fund@dw.com