NEWF STORY LABS-Kickstarter program

Job Description

Focused on the art of crafting a story, Story Labs aim to equip Fellows with essential skills to develop compelling films. Labs & fellowships range from receiving funding to develop & produce films in the conventional Producers’ Labs track, to specialised programmes such as Science Communication, offered under fellowships such as the Wild Science Story Lab and African Science Film Fellowship. Participating Fellows are mentored, attend a series of theoretical and practical workshops facilitated virtually and in-person and join a Pan-African community of like-minded storytellers, conservationists and scientists.

A year long program supporting filmmakers, conservationists and scientists at various stages in their filmmaking journey. From emerging and early-career filmmakers producing a short film, to more experienced filmmakers developing a feature-length film, the NEWF Producers’ Lab Series is a tiered program offering an opportunity to be awarded grant funding to develop and produce films in the natural history and/or conservation and/or environmental genre of storytelling.

The Kickstarter and Next Chapter streams, offer participating Fellows mentorship by industry professionals where they attend hybrid workshops and are guided through the process of filmmaking from research through to final delivery. The program focuses on all aspects of the filmmaking ecosystem from story development to building the producers skillset in relation to their career trajectory, including a live pitch for shortlisted Next Chapter candidates.

Focused on stories about the Ocean, the Takalani Mulaudzi Development Grant is designed for mid-career to experienced filmmakers, offering a development & writing retreat for the producer and director.

Applications are open for the 2025/2026 Cohort of filmmakers.

DEADLINE: 25 SEPTEMBER 2024

Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 15 January 2025

For any queries contact storylabs@newf.co.za