ANF May 2023 Newsletter

Hello Reader, 

Find out whether the idea of one Africa is a reality or a dream, get funded to produce exciting stories that represent Africa better, and find out what our newest narrative champions are working on.

What’s Happening at Africa No Filter

1. We unpacked the idea of one Africa: The idea of a united Africa that’s defined by free trade, cultural exchange, peace, and security was born more than 60 years ago when African governments pushed a narrative of uniting and integrating to build African power, but do these ideals still resonate? Our latest report, One Africa: Pan-African Dream or Reality, explores existing academic research on African continental integration, and the narratives that emerge about the possibility of achieving 'One Africa'. More info.

2. We’re partnering with emerging storytellers and content creators: The Kekere Storytellers Fund offers microgrants of $500 to $2000 to content creators, wordsmiths, journalists, performers, and visual artists who are already telling stories that offer a fresh, contemporary, and innovative perspective of Africa. Only storytellers who are already shifting stereotypical narratives of Africa will be considered. Deadline: Rolling. More info in English and French.

3. We celebrated three years of Africa No Filter: It’s been three years since we set out on a mission to change how the world sees Africa. It's been an incredible journey so far, and we're grateful to everyone who's supported us. Here's to continuing our mission of changing the narrative about Africa and amplifying African voices. Thank you for being a part of our story. Here’s ANF in numbers.

4. We want you to join our campaign for better representation of Africa: We’ve been reflecting on how Africa is typically seen, searched, and even interpreted versus what we really are. If you have been following our #ISeeMe campaign, you have seen our Google Images experiment that showed a stark contrast between many Africans’ realities and the world’s perception of it. If you haven’t, check it out on Twitter. We want to see more stories and images that show our Africa today. Do you? Join the campaign by posting a photo of the Africa you want to see with #ISeeMe. Tag us @Africanofilter and we will repost you.

5. We’re looking for content creators who are passionate about climate change: Are you an African podcaster, blogger, TikToker, or vlogger passionate about telling stories of climate change in Africa beyond news that focuses on disasters and climate crisis? We’re looking for you to join our Climate Action Hub, a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Content creators will receive grants worth up to $5000 to produce new content, as well as networking opportunities and support to amplify their work. Only creators who are already using their platforms to challenge stereotypical narratives of Africa will be considered. Deadline: 29 June. More info in English, French and Arabic.

Keeping up with ANF Narrative Champions

Meet the filmmakers supported by the Last Mile Film Fund to work on the final stages of producing movies that represent Africa better:

1. Chris Kets and Amilcar Patel’s 6Sensetells the story of the rise of visually impaired Gqom musician Mxshi Mo.

2. Money, Freedom, A Story of CFA Franc, by Katy Lena Ndiaye, explores France’s colonial legacy in Africa.

3. Tara Erica Moore uses The Native Question to explore race, identity, and memory.

4. Neha Manoj Shah’s Love Sweet Sound represents women empowerment, inclusivity and real representation of Kenyans living with a disability.  

5. Language of My Soul, by Gregory Goitseone Molale, is the story of Katriena Esau, the only N/uu speaker left in the world.

6. Mali’s Integrity is Terry Jerry A’Was’s deep dive into law enforcement in Nigeria and the country’s emerging technological space like cryptocurrency and the Internet of Things.

7. Isaya Evans and Densu Moseti’s Grogan’s Lodge is a horror film about two college students’ encounter with remnants of colonial life in Kenya.

8. Citizen Kwame is inspired by Yuhi Amuli’s experiences of traveling with an African passport.

9. Ifeanyi Emmanuel Ikubes’s Mzigo is a pan-African love story that raises awareness of sickle cell disease.

Shifting Narratives
- documenting the narrative progress we’re seeing

Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey created more than 55 recipes and over 100 meals to showcase the best of Nigerian cuisine in a 100-hour cooking marathon that’s put her in the running for the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking hours. Her incredible feat is under review.

French Senegalese director Ramata-Toulaye Sy made waves at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival when she was nominated for the Palme d’Or prize for her first feature, Banel & Adama. Palme d’Or is the festival’s top prize. The film is about a young couple at odds with their community in northern Senegal, the region where Sy’s parents were born. It also features the Pulaar language.

Ghanaian director Blitz Bazawule is shining on the global stage for his latest work, The Color Purple. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker. It’s co-produced by Oprah Winfrey, and stars Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi.

That’s it. Remember to follow us on social media at @Africanofilter.

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