Calling all Ethiopian filmmakers! Film funding now available

Promoting film production in the Global South.

Are you a filmmaker in Ethiopia? Have you already made at least one film? Do you have a concept or script for your next feature film, documentary or short film? If you answered "yes" to any of these three questions, then you qualify to apply for our Film Development Fund.

Up to five successful candidates will receive a maximum of 10,000 euros and one year of professional mentorship to help develop their film idea.

The program will include workshops and skills development by industry professionals mainly from the Global South and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

These tailor-made trainings will enable you to take your project through the development stage and get your film ready for production.  

Funding for filmmakers from Tanzania and Uganda will be launched later this year.

Details on eligibility and further application requirements are available here.

The deadline for submissions is February 26, 2021. Successful candidates will be selected by a jury in April 2021.

For further inquiries, please contact: dw-akademie.film-fund@dw.com

Live info event

Interested filmmakers from Ethiopia who are looking to apply for funding for their upcoming film projects are invited to take part in our online Q&A session and learn more about the DW Akademie Film Development Fund - Ethiopia. The development fund offers both financial support and tailor-made training to assist you in the development phase of your film.

Date: Friday, February 5, 2021

Time: 4 pm – 5 pm (EAT)

The one-hour session will focus on:

• The idea behind the DW Akademie Film Development Fund
• Who can apply and how the application process works 
• How the selection process works
• How we will design the project to meet your specific needs

 Participants are encouraged to ask questions and we will be happy to provide the answers.

To take part in the event, please register here.

Creative contributions for social change and freedom of expression

With its support of filmmakers in emerging film markets, DW Akademie is actively contributing to social change, freedom of expression, and the economic empowerment of local storytellers.

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund is specifically designed to support filmmakers in developing their film projects who may otherwise be struggling to get their voices heard and stories told. It is part of a process to promote authentic local stories and share them with international audiences, ideally leading to the sector’s further growth and development.  

The project is to be expanded later to additional countries to ensure a continuity of diverse voices from the Global South.