Africa No Filter (ANF), a narrative change organisation, has partnered with Meta to establish the “Future Africa: Telling Stories, Building Worlds” program, which aims to increase the use of Virtual Reality in African storytelling.
The program will provide grants and mentorship to Extended Reality storytellers who want to produce new and compelling content about Africa. “Future Africa: Telling Stories, Building Worlds” is part of Meta’s immersive technology focus, as well as Africa No Filter’s investments in innovative storytelling that helps to change negative preconceptions about Africa.
“Virtual Reality has the ability to elevate storytelling to a new level,” stated Moky Makura, Executive Director of Africa No Filter. Audiences in this new metaverse don’t only get to watch a story unfold; they also get to live it.
Africa No Filter and Meta are asking Extended Reality producers to apply to the program, which will award up to $30,000 in funding.
Applicants must be of African descent and living on the continent, be at least 18 years old, have experience creating virtual reality content, and have a portfolio of work that demonstrates their creativity and ingenuity.
They also need to demonstrate how the proposed project would present an intriguing African story that contradicts traditional African narratives. 360 video, augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality can all be used in projects.
Applications are open to organisations and individuals. Participants will receive continuous coaching, production support, and the opportunity to premiere their creations in a virtual or in-person showcase, delivered in collaboration with Electric South’s Creators Lab and Imisi 3D in Cape Town, South Africa, in February 2022.
“We’re pleased to be partnering with ANF to launch a fund that brings together the best of the African tech ecosystem to showcase innovations for the future and tell positive stories about Africa,” Sherry Dzinoreva, Meta’s Public Policy Programs Director, Africa, Middle East, and Turkey, stated.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce that Africa will be helping to shape the metaverse experience from the start.”
The deadline for applications is January 7, 2022, at 6 p.m. GMT. The program will run from February 13 until August 13, 2022.
Participants must be available on the dates mentioned above. In addition, they must complete the proposed project in six months.
