Africa No Filter and Meta announce a new fund to improve Virtual Reality in Africa’s storytelling
Africa No Filter, a narrative change organization, and Meta (previously Facebook) have announced a partnership to launch the “Future Africa: Telling Stories, Building Worlds” program, aimed at boosting the use of Virtual Reality in Africa’s storytelling.
Open to organizations and individuals, the program seeks to support Extended Reality storytellers with grants and mentorship to develop new and compelling content about the African continent.
The “Future Africa: Telling Stories, Building Worlds” forms part of Meta’s focus on immersive technologies and Africa No Filter’s investments in innovative storytelling that shifts negative stereotypes about Africa.
“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,” Sherry Dzinoreva, Meta’s Public Policy Programs Director, Africa, Middle East, and Turkey said.
She added that this investment is a vote of confidence in the strength of the African tech industry and its ongoing potential.
“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.” Moky Makura, Executive Director at Africa No Filter, said. “This is an opportunity for African content creators to push the boundaries of their creativity and innovation.”
According to a statement by Africa No Filter and Meta, Extended Reality creators who apply to the program could 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 also need to show how the proposed project will tell an exciting African story that changes stereotypical narratives about the continent. Projects can use 360 Video, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality.
Delivered in collaboration with Electric South and Imisi 3D, participants will also get ongoing mentorship, production support, and opportunities to launch their projects in a virtual or in-person showcase, including the Electric South’s Creators Lab held in February 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Applications close on 7 January 2022 at 6 pm GMT. The program runs from 13 February to 13 August 2022. Participants must be available on these dates. The proposed project must also be completed within six months.
Interested persons can apply here.