DW AKADEMIE

DW Akademie Film Development Fund 2023: Meet the grantees!

These 15 filmmakers from Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda – five from each country – have been selected to receive one year of funding, mentorship and training opportunities.

Ethiopia - Henok Legesse Birhanu, filmmaker

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund presents an excellent and thrilling opportunity for me to bring my story ideas to life.
Ethiopia - Abigail Megbar Debebe, filmmaker

It is so rare that a film project gets funded this early, and having an experienced filmmaker's mentorship is a unique opportunity. I can’t think of a more perfect way to start my filmmaking career!
Ethiopia - Habtamu Gebrehiwot, filmmaker

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund is a great opportunity for my career as a writer because it helps me develop industry standards, professional writing skills with the help of mentors and the development team. It will also give me a chance to concentrate my time and energy on writing my first feature film script for a full year.
Ethiopia - Bontu Shiferaw, screenwriter/director

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund is very important for filmmakers from developing countries who are finding it hard to tell their stories because there is lack of money, proper guidance and mentorship. The fund offers the opportunity to develop an idea, one-to-one mentorship, creates the stage for networking and much more.
Ethiopia - Leul Shoaferaw, filmmaker

One of the biggest challenges for filmmakers [in Ethiopia] is that they don’t have the necessary support system, time and supportive environment when they set out to do a film. Development programs like the Film Development Fund help filmmakers spend adequate time crafting and developing their concepts, without being rushed or financially strapped.
Tanzania - Freddy Feruzi, filmmaker

As I am aspiring to be the best filmmaker I can be, DW Akademie Film Development Fund is the best opportunity to expose me to world-class filmmaking expertise.
Tanzania - Kelvin Kagambo, filmmaker

I believe this grant is a tremendous boost to my script development. It will provide the resources and support necessary to bring my vision to life in a very professional way.
Tanzania - Frank Sylvester Machiya, documentary filmmaker

To be considered for the DW Akademie Film Development Fund is a great honor and a privilege. Thank you DW Akademie!
Tanzania - Neema Ngelime, documentary filmmaker

I am excited to put my curiosity to good use. DW Akademie Film Development Fund will give me the support to explore the storytelling possibilities of my film. 
Tanzania - Ritha Saxon, filmmaker

My project is like a small plant and the DW Akademie Film Development Fund offers the light it needs to grow and have a great impact on society.
Uganda - Daisy Masembe, filmmaker/storyteller

Every once in a while, I need a little help to harness the talents and skills that God has given me. I am so grateful to DW Akademie Film Development Fund for the help that I will receive to tell my stories.
Uganda - Ruth Nazzinda, filmmaker/storyteller/journalist

It's a pleasure for our film to be part of the DW Akademie Film Development Fund. It's an opportunity to break the stereotypes and tell stories that are worth being told and change the narrative about stories that are happening in our society but are often ignored.
Uganda - Patience Nitumwesiga, filmmaker

I feel so privileged to get this grant to work on a script I have been working on for a couple of years. It feels quite divine because I think I am at the time and place to be able to take time off to write. It is a relief to have support to do this kind of development work as it needs so much more than we are usually able to afford.
Uganda - Daniel Semulema, producer/writer/director

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund will give me the freedom to create.
Uganda - Ivan Tusabe, screenwriter/director

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund supports the creation of impactful and original African films by empowering African storytellers to develop their stories. Powerful scripts are where it all begins. George Cukor once said: "Give me a good script and I'll be a hundred times better as a director."

Ethiopia - Henok Legesse Birhanu, filmmaker

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund presents an excellent and thrilling opportunity for me to bring my story ideas to life.
Ethiopia - Abigail Megbar Debebe, filmmaker

It is so rare that a film project gets funded this early, and having an experienced filmmaker's mentorship is a unique opportunity. I can’t think of a more perfect way to start my filmmaking career!
Ethiopia - Habtamu Gebrehiwot, filmmaker

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund is a great opportunity for my career as a writer because it helps me develop industry standards, professional writing skills with the help of mentors and the development team. It will also give me a chance to concentrate my time and energy on writing my first feature film script for a full year.
Ethiopia - Bontu Shiferaw, screenwriter/director

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund is very important for filmmakers from developing countries who are finding it hard to tell their stories because there is lack of money, proper guidance and mentorship. The fund offers the opportunity to develop an idea, one-to-one mentorship, creates the stage for networking and much more.
Ethiopia - Leul Shoaferaw, filmmaker

One of the biggest challenges for filmmakers [in Ethiopia] is that they don’t have the necessary support system, time and supportive environment when they set out to do a film. Development programs like the Film Development Fund help filmmakers spend adequate time crafting and developing their concepts, without being rushed or financially strapped.
Tanzania - Freddy Feruzi, filmmaker

As I am aspiring to be the best filmmaker I can be, DW Akademie Film Development Fund is the best opportunity to expose me to world-class filmmaking expertise.
Tanzania - Kelvin Kagambo, filmmaker

I believe this grant is a tremendous boost to my script development. It will provide the resources and support necessary to bring my vision to life in a very professional way.
Tanzania - Frank Sylvester Machiya, documentary filmmaker

To be considered for the DW Akademie Film Development Fund is a great honor and a privilege. Thank you DW Akademie!
Tanzania - Neema Ngelime, documentary filmmaker

I am excited to put my curiosity to good use. DW Akademie Film Development Fund will give me the support to explore the storytelling possibilities of my film. 
Tanzania - Ritha Saxon, filmmaker

My project is like a small plant and the DW Akademie Film Development Fund offers the light it needs to grow and have a great impact on society.
Uganda - Daisy Masembe, filmmaker/storyteller

Every once in a while, I need a little help to harness the talents and skills that God has given me. I am so grateful to DW Akademie Film Development Fund for the help that I will receive to tell my stories.
Uganda - Ruth Nazzinda, filmmaker/storyteller/journalist

It's a pleasure for our film to be part of the DW Akademie Film Development Fund. It's an opportunity to break the stereotypes and tell stories that are worth being told and change the narrative about stories that are happening in our society but are often ignored.
Uganda - Patience Nitumwesiga, filmmaker

I feel so privileged to get this grant to work on a script I have been working on for a couple of years. It feels quite divine because I think I am at the time and place to be able to take time off to write. It is a relief to have support to do this kind of development work as it needs so much more than we are usually able to afford.
Uganda - Daniel Semulema, producer/writer/director

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund will give me the freedom to create.
Uganda - Ivan Tusabe, screenwriter/director

The DW Akademie Film Development Fund supports the creation of impactful and original African films by empowering African storytellers to develop their stories. Powerful scripts are where it all begins. George Cukor once said: "Give me a good script and I'll be a hundred times better as a director."

Date 29.03.2023
Number of pictures 15
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SPECIAL

DW AKADEMIE

DW Akademie Film Development Fund 2023: Meet the grantees!

Ethiopia - Henok Legesse Birhanu, filmmaker

Ethiopia - Abigail Megbar Debebe, filmmaker

Ethiopia - Habtamu Gebrehiwot, filmmaker

Ethiopia - Bontu Shiferaw, screenwriter/director

Ethiopia - Leul Shoaferaw, filmmaker

Tanzania - Freddy Feruzi, filmmaker

Tanzania - Kelvin Kagambo, filmmaker

Tanzania - Frank Sylvester Machiya, documentary filmmaker

Tanzania - Neema Ngelime, documentary filmmaker

Tanzania - Ritha Saxon, filmmaker

Uganda - Daisy Masembe, filmmaker/storyteller

Uganda - Ruth Nazzinda, filmmaker/storyteller/journalist

Uganda - Patience Nitumwesiga, filmmaker

Uganda - Daniel Semulema, producer/writer/director

Uganda - Ivan Tusabe, screenwriter/director

Ethiopia - Henok Legesse Birhanu, filmmaker

Ethiopia - Abigail Megbar Debebe, filmmaker

Ethiopia - Habtamu Gebrehiwot, filmmaker

Ethiopia - Bontu Shiferaw, screenwriter/director

Ethiopia - Leul Shoaferaw, filmmaker

Tanzania - Freddy Feruzi, filmmaker

Tanzania - Kelvin Kagambo, filmmaker

Tanzania - Frank Sylvester Machiya, documentary filmmaker

Tanzania - Neema Ngelime, documentary filmmaker

Tanzania - Ritha Saxon, filmmaker

Uganda - Daisy Masembe, filmmaker/storyteller

Uganda - Ruth Nazzinda, filmmaker/storyteller/journalist

Uganda - Patience Nitumwesiga, filmmaker

Uganda - Daniel Semulema, producer/writer/director

Uganda - Ivan Tusabe, screenwriter/director