Netflix and UNESCO have finally announced six winners of their groundbreaking competition, ‘African Folktales, Reimagined’, created to find up and coming filmmaker gems across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The winners of the competition will each receive US$25,000, plus US$75,000 to produce a short film through a local production company. The winners will also receive mentoring from a Netflix appointed supervising producer and other industry mentors from across the continent.
The created films will encompass reimagined African folktales presented in multiple African languages. Later this year, all the films produced will premiere on Netflix as part of ‘An Anthology of African Folktales’.
Netflix and UNESCO launched the competition in late 2021 to promote diverse local stories and bring them to the world. It was also a leap toward creative equity birthed by Netflix Creative Equity Fund. The competition aims to enable new voices from underrepresented communities within entertainment to bring their perspectives to a global audience.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, congratulated the six winners, noting that their films will create a bright future for the individuals. He then spoke more broadly about the competition, highlighting the rich, diverse and ever-evolving culture in Sub-Saharan Africa as one that UNESCO is happy to promote. “We are looking forward to celebrating the six films at a special premiere at UNESCO headquarters in Paris later this year,” said Azoulay.
Netflix Director of Content in Africa, Ben Amadasun, says “The journey has been truly inspiring for Netflix as we experienced the candidates’ high level of creative talent. It is evident from the number of applications received that Africa is filled with amazing storytelling talent that is ready to be shared and celebrated, especially the creative perspectives on Africa’s rich culture and heritage.”
“To the winner, congratulations. To all other emerging filmmakers who didn’t make it, we urge you to continue following your passion for storytelling. We at Netflix will continue to be your biggest cheerleaders in the journey of African storytelling,” added Amadasun.
