Cohort 4 of the AFFC Storytellers Film Lab marked a new chapter for the programme as it moved fully into a virtual format, bringing together 13 filmmakers from Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and South Africa in a pan-African creative cohort.

This edition of the lab placed a strong emphasis on story and story development, with an extended screenwriting workshop led by AFFC Co-Founder Natasha Likimani. The sessions focused on strengthening narrative structure, character development, and building emotionally grounded stories with strong cinematic potential.

As part of the programme, Kenyan participants were supported with access to AFFC’s Equipment Hub to facilitate production of their films, while participants from other countries produced their projects independently using available resources within their own environments.

This hybrid approach expanded accessibility while maintaining a shared creative framework across the cohort. The lab culminated in a virtual showcase, bringing together filmmakers and audiences from across Africa to screen and discuss the completed works.

The online format further reinforced AFFC’s growing regional reach and its ability to connect storytellers beyond geographical
boundaries.

Cohort 4 reflects AFFC’s continued commitment to developing story-first filmmakers, strengthening screenwriting craft, and building a connected pan-African creative community.

Pan-African voices. Story-led development. A truly borderless filmmaking lab.

These recognitions reflected not only the quality of the final films, but also the collaboration, commitment, and hard work that took place behind the scenes throughout the programme.

We were proud to welcome Safaricom Baze as a sponsor of the showcase. Through their
support, each award recipient received KSh 10,000 worth of airtime and a commemorative trophy, providing both practical support and recognition for their achievements. The partnership with Safaricom Baze has continued beyond the awards ceremony.

As a result of this collaboration, one of the cohort films was distributed on the Baze platform, providing the filmmaker with an additional avenue to showcase their work, reach new audiences, and explore opportunities for monetisation.

Beyond the lab, AFFC partnered with SWIFT’s Sisterhood Cinema to present Behind the Lens: Women Taking Space in Film & Television, a virtual screening and discussion featuring the South African film 12 Years Bleeding alongside the Kenyan films Still, Quiet Control, and Fracture, of which these three films were developed and produced through AFFC’s Storytellers
Film Lab and Equipment Hub.

The event brought together filmmakers and audiences from across Africa for meaningful conversations around womanhood, grief, trauma, resilience, and survival, further demonstrating the power of storytelling to spark dialogue, build community, and amplify diverse voices.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the jury for their time, expertise, and thoughtful contribution in recognising the work across the cohort. Their guidance and insight helped celebrate excellence while encouraging the continued growth of emerging filmmakers.

Cohort 2 further strengthened AFFC’s mission to nurture emerging talent, champion inclusive storytelling, and create opportunities for filmmakers to learn, connect, and share their work with
wider audiences.

16 Filmmakers. Diverse Voices. Stories That Continue to Spark Conversation

IMAGES

Cohort 4 participants 

FILM POSTERS