The Next Narrative Africa Fund (NNAF) is a mission-driven, $40 million content and media fund committed to supporting commercially viable audiovisual content by African and African-diaspora storytellers.
Through its Inaugural Development Grant, NNAF seeks to reframe global perceptions of Africa by investing in powerful, narrative-shifting storytelling for the screen.
This initiative not only aims to elevate Africa’s creative economy but also to empower local and diaspora artists with ownership of their intellectual property, while contributing to sustainable livelihoods across the continent. So if you need free money, this opportunity is for you.
Purpose and Vision
At its core, NNAF is designed to catalyze narrative change—moving away from traditional, often stereotypical portrayals of Africa—and instead showcasing diverse, authentic, and globally relatable African stories. The Fund emphasizes storytelling that promotes gender equity, healthy portrayals of masculinity, and themes with positive social impact. This includes content that can influence norms and inspire younger audiences, particularly women and girls, across Africa and the world.
NNAF seeks to support content that the global community needs to see about Africa, told by those best positioned to share it: African and diaspora creatives.
Development Grant Objectives
The inaugural grant serves two main purposes:
- Narrative Change
Projects must challenge stereotypes and offer nuanced portrayals of African life, people, and cultures. NNAF is particularly interested in stories aligned with its social impact pillars:- Gender and racial equity
- Democracy and governance
- Climate
- Health
- Inclusive economic growth
- Pipeline for Future Investment
Selected projects may also be considered for follow-on equity funding. Therefore, the Fund prioritizes stories with commercial potential and global distribution appeal—projects that can generate revenue, win awards, and represent the NNAF brand with credibility and artistic integrity.
Eligibility and Grant Details
NNAF plans to fund 6 to 10 projects, each receiving between $20,000 and $100,000 to support the development phase. This may include:
- Scriptwriting or editing
- Hiring research consultants
- Conducting content testing or audience research
Projects should aim to complete development within 6–12 months, with a maximum timeline of two years. Content must be narrative-driven (no documentaries or reality TV), and all genres are welcome. Feature films and episodic series will be considered, although episodic projects will require strong distribution strategies.
Projects centered on war, disease, or poverty—while not excluded—will be closely evaluated for their potential to break from outdated tropes.
Project Requirements and Evaluation Criteria
Key attributes for eligible submissions include:
- A commercially viable story with a compelling budget and business case
- Global appeal with distribution potential
- A budget generally between $1 million and $5 million+ (with NNAF equity capped at 20%)
- Led by African or African-diaspora creatives
- At least 50% of production in Africa and a strong Africa nexus in the story
- Content that contributes to social impact themes, especially gender-positive storytelling
Application Process and Timeline
Submissions opened in early July 2025 and close on August 1, 2025. Applications must include:
- Completed application form
- Treatment Deck featuring executive summary, synopsis, logline, character profiles, tone, worldbuilding, audience plan, team bios, and any distribution deals
- Proposed budget and timeline
- Optional: draft script, visual trailer (max 2 min), or stand-alone treatment
Selection Process Timeline:
- August–October: Top 50 projects reviewed by Greenlight Committee
- November 6: Advisory Board finalizes slate
- Mid-November: Applicants notified
- Late November: Grants disbursed
- Early December: Public announcement
- June 2026: Progress check-ins
Terms of the Grant
Recipients must:
- Confirm exclusive ownership of their project
- Complete development within 9–24 months
- Offer Right of First Negotiation for future investment
- Credit NNAF with “In association with Next Narrative Africa Fund
- Provide financial accountability and promotional access to the final project, including invitations to key screenings and premieres
Frequently Asked Questions
- Documentaries or reality shows? Not eligible at this time
- Short films? Not being considered
- Multiple submissions? One project per writer; production companies may submit multiple projects with different writers
- Finished scripts/in-production projects? Not ideal—this is a script development grant
- Budget outside $1–5 million? Will be reviewed, but must meet global standards or justify risk
- Global appeal? Stories must resonate with international audiences while retaining authenticity
Projects are evaluated by the Greenlight Committee and approved by an Advisory Board. Applicants are advised not to contact decision-makers directly.
For more information and to apply, please visit Next Narrative Africa official website.