2024 Documentary Film Fellowship
Do you have a powerful story waiting to be told?
StoryMi Academy, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nigeria, is thrilled to announce the launch of the second edition of the StoryMi Documentary Film Fellowship! This prestigious program offers an intensive 6-month training experience for passionate Nigerian documentary filmmakers.
The Fellowship Journey:
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Selection: Ten fellows will be chosen based on their application materials and mini-documentary submissions.
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International Exposure: As part of the program, fellows will have the opportunity to attend the prestigious international documentary film festival - Sunny Side of the Doc - in France, gaining valuable insights from the industry's best (end of June 2024).
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Immersive Learning: The fellowship would feature intensive physical and virtual workshops. Here, fellows will dive deep into documentary filmmaking principles alongside renowned instructors - Louise Monlaü (Al Jazeera, New York Times, OpDocs) and Ike Nnaebue (No U-Turn, Arte production) amongst others. (All travel and accommodation costs will be covered by StoryMi Academy).
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Remote Coaching & Project Development: Following the workshop, fellows will embark on regular individual coaching sessions with ongoing support from their assigned mentors.
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Production Grants: Four selected fellows will be selected to receive substantial grants of 1.5 million naira each, empowering you to bring your documentary film to life.
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International Exposure: As part of the program, fellows will have the opportunity to attend a prestigious international documentary film festival, gaining valuable insights from the industry's best.
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Film Screening: In December 2024 (date subject to change), there will be a screening night to celebrate the fellows' work.
Eligibility:
To embark on this journey, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Be a Nigerian citizen residing in Nigeria between the ages of 20 and 35 years old.
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Have prior experience in filmmaking or a related field, with at least one completed film project (web or non-web) as a credited member of the production team.
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Have a compelling script or treatment ready for development and production, along with a production bible or detailed plan for executing the proposed documentary project.
How to Apply:
To be considered for the StoryMi Documentary Film Fellowship 2024, follow these steps:
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Complete the online application form, providing detailed information about your background, experience, motivation, creative approach, and project proposal.
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Submit a short documentary film (maximum 5 minutes) showcasing your storytelling abilities and technical proficiency.
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Download the form here and submit your application with links to your films.
Submissions are due by midnight on May 3rd, 2024.
Selected participants will be announced on May 17th, 2024.
TESTIMONIALS
To say that my experience at Storymi Academy was great, would be an understatement!
The documentary program has broadened my perspective and horizons on how to make a good film to meet the International standards and market! It has given me the ability to feel confident in myself and work! It has exposed me to greater opportunities! I’m more proud of my career as an independent filmmaker.
- Nana Mohammed, 2023 Fellow.
Who is the StoryMi Documentary Film Fellowship for? The fellowship is open to passionate and professional Nigerian documentary filmmakers (living in Nigeria) between the ages of 20 and 35 with at least one production credit. We welcome applicants with a strong story idea and a desire to learn and develop their filmmaking skills.
What are the benefits of participating in the program? Selected fellows will gain invaluable skills through workshops and mentorship, network with industry professionals, receive support in developing their documentary proposal, and receive a grant to produce their short films. They will also get a chance to attend a prestigious international film festival.
How long is the program? The StoryMi Documentary Film Fellowship is a 6-month intensive program.
When will the program take place? The program starts in June and will end in December. The exact program schedule will be announced to selected fellows.
How many participants will be selected for the fellowship? Four participants will be selected from the screening process to participate in the StoryMi Documentary Film Fellowship 2024.
What are the eligibility requirements to apply? Applicants must be Nigerian citizens and residents with prior experience in filmmaking or a related field. A clear commitment to social impact and a unique creative vision are valued. Most importantly, we require a willingness to learn and grow within the documentary filmmaking genre is essential.
What are the benefits of participating in the program? Selected fellows will gain invaluable skills through workshops and mentorship, network with industry professionals, receive support in developing their documentary proposal, and receive a grant to produce their short films. They will also get a chance to attend a prestigious international film festival.
What documents do I need to submit with my application? You will need to complete an online application form detailing your background, experience, and motivation for participating in the program. In addition, submitting a mini-documentary (3-5 minutes) showcasing your creative storytelling ability is mandatory.
What should my mini-documentary be about? The mini-documentary is your chance to showcase your storytelling skills and filmmaking style. It can be about a portrait of a relative, friend, neighbour, colleague, business owner or any topic that interests you, but it should demonstrate your ability to capture a story or a character in a compelling way.
Can the mini-documentary be fictional or does it have to be a documentary? The mini-documentary should be a documentary or a film that uses documentary storytelling techniques, so no fiction. This will allow us to assess your ability to work within the documentary filmmaking style.
Is there a cost to participate in the program? No, there is no cost to participate in the StoryMi Documentary Film Fellowship program. All travel and accommodation costs for the physical sessions and film festival attendance will be covered by StoryMi Academy.
I have a question that isn't answered here. Who can I contact? If you have any further questions about the StoryMi Documentary Film Fellowship program, please feel free to contact us at contact@storymi.org.