Call for Application

Sinema Mtaani – Short Film Grant

• Submit your application before October 4th using the link: https://forms.gle/47ySokad6g4YruLW7

CONTEXT

The Sinema Mtaani project was created by Alliance française de Mombasa in 2022 and is part of the French state’s Creation Africa/Kenya programme. In response to the recently launched Talanta Hela initiative by the Kenyan Government to boost the critical sectors of the creative economy, Creation Africa/Kenya seeks to strengthen the capacities of Kenyan creatives to develop and market their products and thus improve employment and income opportunities.

Sinema Mtaani’s objectives are :

• To promote cinema in Mombasa by offering screening opportunities for local filmmakers, in all 6 sub- counties (fortnightly screening on a giant screen)
• To train a team of young facilitators capable of sustaining an image education project in schools
• To organize trainings and to build bridges between French-speaking and Kenyan filmmakers.

Main partners: County Government of Mombasa, Communications Authority of Kenya, Kenya Film Classification Board, Coast Filmmakers Association In the first phase of this program, 120 different filmmakers have been trained in forums, masterclasses and workshops on screenwriting, directing and producing. We also showcased 25 short and features films in all the 6 sub-counties in Mombasa. We are now entering the second phase that will focus on helping budding local filmmakers produce quality short films that can be marketed, both locally and internationally.

SUMMARY

With the support of the French Embassy in Kenya, Alliance française de Mombasa is thrilled to announce the launch of the Sinema Mtaani Short Film Grant, aimed at empowering emerging filmmakers from Mombasa and the coast, to bring their short film visions to life. The Alliance française-Sinema Mtaani Short Film Grant will award a grant to 9 filmmakers to create a short film (documentary or fiction) of between 8-15 minutes. There will be three calls for submissions (September 2024, January 2025, April 2025) during each of which three projects will be selected (a total of nine).

FUNDING INFORMATION

The winners will be provided with;

• Ksh 250 000 grant
• Access to AF filming equipment during the duration of the project (subject to approval of the Alliance
  team and upon consultation with them on the dates; limited to a total of 5 days of shooting)
• Access to “Le Ballon Rouge” – AF video editing studio (subject to approval of the Alliance team and
  upon consultation with them on the dates; limited to a total of 7 days of editing)
• Free showcase platform during Sinema Mtaani’s screening in Mombasa, as well as in selected counties
• Mentoring plan from script to screen
• Translation of subtitles into French

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be Kenyan (of Kenyan nationality) filmmakers residing in Mombasa or one of the coastal counties
  (Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Lamu)
• Have completed at least one previous short film
• Commit to completing the short film within 2 months of receiving the grant
• Ensure the film is between 8-15 minutes
• Film must not have gone beyond the stage of pre-production
• English subtitles should be provided.
• The short film must address one of the following themes: cultural diversity, language and identity, environmental issues, sports, social cohesion, inclusivity.

HOW TO APPLY

Ready to shoot your short film? Submit your application before October 4th using the link: https://forms.gle/47ySokad6g4YruLW7

TIMELINE

Information session : 17th September (10am-11am) at AFM
Deadline for submission for wave 1 : 4th October 2024
Pitching day for shortlisted applicants : 16th October 2024
Announcement of the 3 selected projects for wave 1: 18th October 2024
Mentoring and creation process : 16th October 2024 – 13th December 2024
Each applicant will get a notification on the status of their applications by email/phone.

CONTACT

Should you require more information, kindly visit Alliance française de Mombasa and/or reach out to : Mwakiwiwi Mwachia (Cultural Coordinator) – sinemamtaani@afmombasa.org

SUBMIT APPLICATION