Africa No Filter is Partnering With Meta to Improve Virtual Reality in Africa’s Storytelling

Africa No Filter, a narrative change organization, and Meta, formerly Facebook, have announced a collaboration to launch the “Future Africa: Telling Stories, Building Worlds” program, with the goal of increasing the use of Virtual Reality in African storytelling.

The program will provide grants and mentorship to help Extended Reality storytellers create new and compelling content about Africa. “Future Africa: Telling Stories, Building Worlds” is part of Meta’s immersive technology focus and Africa No Filter’s investments in innovative storytelling that challenges negative stereotypes about Africa.

“Virtual Reality has the potential to take storytelling to a whole new level,” said Moky Makura, ED at Africa No Filter. Audiences in this new metaverse don’t just get to watch a story unfold; they get to live in it. This is an opportunity for African content creators to stretch their creative and innovative muscles.”

Africa No Filter and Meta are inviting Extended Reality creators to apply to the program, which is now open, and to receive funding of up to $30,000. Applicants must be of African descent and live on the continent, be over the age of 18, have a track record of creating XR content, and have a portfolio of work demonstrating their creativity and innovation.

They must also demonstrate how the proposed project will tell an exciting African story that challenges stereotypes about the continent. 360 video, virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality can all be used in projects. The application is available to both organizations and individuals.

Participants will also receive 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.

“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,” said Sherry Dzinoreva, Meta’s Public Policy Programs Director for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey. Meta exists at the crossroads of innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and social connection, and this investment is a vote of confidence in the African tech industry’s strength and future potential. I’m confident that Africa will help shape the metaverse experience from the start.”

Applications are due by January 7, 2022, at 6 p.m. GMT. The program will run from February 13 to August 13, 2022. Participants must be available on the dates specified. In addition, the proposed project must be completed within six months.

Those interested in applying can do so here.