Grants & funding for African documentary filmmakers
A working directory of the funds, fellowships and labs we'd point any African doc filmmaker toward first. Check each programme's site for current deadlines — they change every cycle.
DOK.fund
ProductionDOK Leipzig / Goethe-InstitutCo-production fund for filmmakers from the Global South, including across Africa.
Visit programmeHot Docs–Blue Ice Docs Fund
Development & ProductionHot DocsAnnual fund for African documentary filmmakers — development and production grants.
Visit programmeIDFA Bertha Fund
Development, Production, DistributionIDFAThe reference fund for creative documentary from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe.
Visit programmeSundance Documentary Fund
Development, Production, PostSundance InstituteOpen globally; African filmmakers regularly funded.
Visit programmeDoha Film Institute Grants
Development, Production, PostDoha Film InstituteTwo grant cycles per year, open to documentary filmmakers from across Africa and the Arab world.
Visit programmeFord Foundation JustFilms
ProductionFord FoundationFunds social-justice documentary; multiple African grantees each cycle.
Visit programmeCatapult Film Fund
DevelopmentCatapultDevelopment grants up to $20K for compelling documentary works-in-progress.
Visit programmeChicken & Egg Pictures
Development, Production, PostChicken & EggFunds women and gender-nonconforming nonfiction filmmakers globally.
Visit programmeAfriDocs / STEPS
Production, DistributionSTEPS Southern AfricaPan-African doc initiatives, training labs and distribution support.
Visit programmeRealness Institute
DevelopmentRealnessResidencies and labs for African screenwriters and filmmakers, including documentary.
Visit programme
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