Film Is Possible!

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Film Possible is committed to empowering African filmmakers, and we are excited to announce The Matatu Film Residency (MFR) program. This prestigious month-long filmmaker-in-residence program invites emerging and established filmmakers from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and DR Congo to develop feature-length documentary projects. 

We understand that we are all interconnected, and your generous support is critical to realizing our shared vision of amplifying underrepresented voices in the East African film industry. By contributing to our fundraising efforts, you will enable us to provide high-quality training, mentorship, and networking opportunities for aspiring documentary filmmakers who lack the resources and support they need to succeed.

Your donation will make a meaningful impact on the lives and careers of African filmmakers, enabling them to share their unique stories with the world. We aim to have 7 documentary projects that are fully developed and ready to meet funders and partners at different industry markets and platforms at the end of the program.

Join us in this mission to create a more diverse and inclusive film industry that reflects the richness and complexity of African experiences. Your donation, no matter how small, will make a difference. We believe that with your support, Film Is Possible! 

"Participants learning to edit their own films during our creative film boot camp"

ABOUT THE MATATU FILM RESIDENCY

The Matatu Film Residency (MFR) is a prestigious month-long filmmaker-in-residence program that invites emerging and established filmmakers from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and DR Congo. The program's primary focus is to support East African filmmakers in developing feature-length documentary projects.

The program's ultimate goal is to facilitate the development of high-quality projects from the East African film industry while promoting innovative and original narratives and fostering collaboration between filmmakers, community members, and organizations worldwide.

The first edition of the MFR will happen from August to November 2023, where filmmakers from across East Africa will be invited to develop their skills and work on ambitious documentary projects in a supportive and collaborative environment. Throughout the month-long residency, participants will have access to resources and workspace, professional mentors, and industry experts to help them focus on their work, develop their projects, and build their networks within the industry.

The program's structure, divided into four weeks, over a four-month period, is designed to maximize the filmmakers' learning and development.

"Group Photo of the participants and mentors during the Pitching and Co-Production mentorship workshop"

As an organization founded by filmmakers, we understand first-hand the difficulties confronting our industry. Having personally struggled to acquire knowledge, build networks, and access industry platforms, we believe that more African filmmakers should be encouraged and enabled to bring their projects to fruition. However, documentary production in Africa is still beset by significant challenges, including limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and poor distribution channels. The film industry in many African countries is still in its nascent stages, and the resources and support systems necessary for producing high-quality documentaries are often scarce. Moreover, censorship, government interference, and political instability pose further obstacles to the production and distribution of documentary films.

With the Matatu Film Residency Program, Film Possible seeks to provide a supportive environment for seven filmmakers across East Africa to develop their skills, collaborate with peers and community members, and gain exposure to new perspectives and ideas. This initiative aims to address the lack of support for filmmakers in the East African region, particularly documentary filmmakers, and promote a more diverse and compelling range of films from the area.

 TESTIMONIAL FROM OUR PREVIOUS FILMMAKING BOOTCAMP.

However, we cannot achieve this goal without your support. That is why we are turning to you, our community, to help us raise funds for this much-needed initiative. With your support, we can enable more African filmmakers to tell their own stories to the world.

"Nicole Magabo conducting a class about creative storytelling"

THE IMPACT

• Supporting emerging and established filmmakers: The MFR offers a unique opportunity for filmmakers in East Africa to develop their skills, work on ambitious documentary projects, and collaborate with other filmmakers and industry experts. This support will help them to grow and gain recognition in the film industry, which will lead to more opportunities and funding for their future projects.
• Developing high-quality documentary projects: By focusing on the development of feature-length documentary projects, the MFR  helps East African filmmakers produce high-quality content that tells authentic and original stories. This will contribute to the diversity of perspectives in the film industry and challenge dominant narratives.
• Fostering collaboration: The MFR provides a platform for filmmakers to collaborate with community members and organizations worldwide. This can lead to more meaningful and impactful storytelling that resonates with audiences beyond East Africa.
• Building networks: Participants in the MFR will have access to professional mentors and industry experts, which will help them build their networks within the industry. This will lead to more opportunities for partnerships, funding, and distribution of their projects
• The program will establish a dynamic database of proficient and experienced filmmakers with the ability to elevate and progress the film industry in the East African Region, contributing to its economic and social advancement.

"A Short Film produced entirely on a smartphone, as an exercise during the first edition of the Creative Filmmaking Bootcamp. A Film By Barbra Emolot"

HOW WILL THE FUND BE SPENT

Money will be used to cover the costs of organizing, running, and evaluating the Matatu Film Residency program, providing the necessary resources to train emerging East African filmmakers and enabling them to effectively tell and share their stories.

• Accommodation: The program will need to provide accommodation for the selected filmmakers during the residency.
• Meals: The program will need to provide meals for the selected filmmakers throughout the residency period.
• Transportation: The program will need to provide transportation for the selected filmmakers and mentors to and from the residency location.
• Professional Mentors: The program will need to hire professional mentors who will work with the selected filmmakers throughout the residency period.
• Industry Experts: The program will need to bring in industry experts to provide guidance and feedback to the selected filmmakers.
• Workspace and Equipment: The program will need to provide workspace and equipment for the selected filmmakers to work on their documentary projects.
• Program Staff: The program will need to hire staff to manage the logistics and operations of the residency program.
• Marketing and Promotion: The program will need to allocate funds for marketing and promoting the residency program to attract applications from eligible filmmakers and potential funders.
• Administrative Costs: The program will need to allocate funds for administrative costs such as legal fees, accounting, and other operational expenses.
• Miscellaneous Expenses: The program will need to allocate funds for unforeseen expenses that may arise during the residency program.
• Program evaluation: Program evaluation is crucial in assessing the effectiveness and impact of the mentorship program. Part of the fund will be used to finance the hiring of independent evaluators to carry out a comprehensive program evaluation.

ABOUT FILM POSSIBLE

Film Possible is a registered non-profit foundation, dedicated to providing comprehensive and year-round support to the next generation of African filmmakers. Our mission is to empower both emerging and established African filmmakers by sourcing funds for their productions, conducting film development labs and workshops, hosting screenings, and supporting film distribution.

 At Film Possible, we recognize the need to share African stories to preserve and uplift the culture and history of the African continent. We are aware that many talented filmmakers are struggling to produce their films due to financial constraints, a lack of technical know-how, and limited networks. Film Possible provides a platform and a bridge to address these challenges. Our organization prioritizes diversity and advocacy, emphasizing originality, creativity, and social values to create a meaningful and vibrant dialogue beyond borders. This approach enables Africans to enjoy and share their own stories and values.

 Through encouraging risk-taking, experimentation, discovery, and innovation, our ambition at Film Possible is to always look forward with rigor and creativity, supporting a new generation of filmmakers to produce their films from beginning to end. We firmly believe that Film Is Possible!

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