Netflix pledges $ 1 million to African Film & TV students
In African markets, there is an abundance of raw talent in need of further refinement. Providing over 214 million paid memberships across 190+ countries makes TV series, documentaries, and feature films valuable commodities in the global entertainment industry. Particular to Africa, the film and TV industry is brimming with talent, but in need of support to refine its quality. For this reason, Netflix has announced its dedication to supporting African storytelling with a $ 1 million commitment towards the newly established Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF) for film and TV students in Sub-Sarahan Africa.
Ben Amadasun, Netflix Director of Content in Africa says,“Netflix is excited by the potential of the next generation of storytellers and we’re committed to investing in the future of African storytelling in the long-term.” He goes on to explain, “We believe there are great stories to be told from Africa and we want to play our part by supporting students who are passionate about the film and TV industry so they too, can ultimately contribute to the creative ecosystem by bringing more unique voices and diverse perspectives to African storytelling that our global audiences find appealing.”
This scholarship initiative is part of a greater Netflix fund, the Creative Equity Fund, launched in 2021 and allocated towards different initiatives over the next 5 years. The goal of the Creative Equity Fund is to develop a “strong, diverse pipeline of creatives around the world.”
Specific the the Netflix CESF, scholarships would assist in covering the cost of tuition, accomodation, study materials, and living expenses for students with admission for the 2022 academic year in pursuit of a course related to TV & film disciplines. Targeting a rollout across the region in the academic year commencing in 2022, Netflix is starting with an open call for applications in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, in partnership with social investment fund management and advisory firm Tshikululu Social Investments as their implementing partner/fund administrator in Southern Africa.
Details
The Netflix CESF is designed to provide financial assistance, through full scholarships, at partner higher educational institutions (HEI) in South Africa to support the formal qualification and training of aspiring creatives from a SADC region country that wish to study in South Africa, and are able to obtain the necessary permissions to do so. The following countries will be eligible: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In the SADC region, the fund will be available to students who have obtained admission to study in various film & TV-focused disciplines, for the 2022 academic year, at the following partner institutions:
● AACA Film and Acting School
● AFDA
● Boston Media House
● Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
● City Varsity
● Durban University of Technology (DUT)
● Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
● University of Cape Town (UCT)
● University of Johannesburg (UJ)
● University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
● University of Pretoria (UP)
● University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
Students interested in applying for scholarships for the 2022 academic year will be able to find additional information, application criteria, a list of partner higher education institutions (HEI) and will be able to apply online on our fund manager and advisory partner, Tshikululu’s website (tshikululu.org.za). Applications are now open until 04 February 2022 at 23h59 CAT.
The Netflix CESF will also benefit students from other parts of Africa - particularly East Africa as well as West and Central Africa. Fund administration partners for East Africa and the West and Central Africa regions will be announced, along with the calls for applications, in due course.