The program will provide scholarships and mentorship to Extended Reality storytellers who want to create new and compelling material about Africa. “Future Africa: Telling Stories, Building Worlds” is part of Meta’s immersive technologies focus, as well as Africa No Filter’s investments in innovative storytelling that helps to change negative stereotypes about Africa. Moky Makura, Executive Director at Africa No Filter, said, “Virtual Reality has the potential to take storytelling to another level. In this new metaverse, audiences don’t just get to watch a story unfold, they get to live in it. This is an opportunity for African content creators to push the boundaries of their creativity and innovation.” Open from today, Africa No Filter and Meta are inviting Extended Reality creators to apply to the program, and receive funding of up to $30,000. Applicants must be of African descent and living in the continent, aged over 18 years, have a track record of XR content creation and have a portfolio of work showing their creativity and innovation. They must also demonstrate how the proposed project will present an exciting African story that changes stereotypical African narratives. 360 video, virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality can all be used in projects. Organizations and individuals are also eligible to apply. Participants will receive ongoing mentorship, production support, and opportunity to premiere their creations in a virtual or in-person showcase, including the Electric South’s Creators Lab in Cape Town, South Africa, in February 2022. Commenting, Sherry Dzinoreva, Meta’s Public Policy Programs Director, Africa, Middle East, and Turkey said: “We’re excited 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. Meta sits at the intersection of innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and social connection, and this investment is a vote of confidence in the strength of the African tech industry and its ongoing potential. I’m certainly proud 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 13th to August 13th, 2022. These dates must be available to participants. In addition, the proposed project must be completed in six months.
