Akuna Learning, an initiative of The Akuna Group chaired by British actor, Sir Idris Elba, has opened applications for a free artificial intelligence, AI, filmmaking programme for aspiring and emerging African creatives in five countries.
The programme, tagged From Script to Screen with AI, is being delivered in collaboration with Google, with $1 million funding from Google.org and a curriculum developed by Curious Refuge.
It is open to eligible applicants in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone and South Africa, with applications closing on November 15, 2026.
The 50-week programme will combine a 12-week online academy with mentorship, pitching opportunities and production funding for selected film projects. Participants will also retain ownership and control of their creative works.
According to the organisers, participants will first complete a foundational course in AI filmmaking before specialising in one of five areas: fiction, documentary, animation, advertising or screenwriting.
The programme will run through five stages, beginning with applications and selection between October 2026 and January 2027.
The learning and certification stage will hold from February to April 2027, featuring 12 weeks of online training by Curious Refuge, weekly facilitation by Akuna Learning and in-person meetings in each participating country.
Graduates will subsequently submit one-page film ideas, with shortlisted applicants building teams for four weeks of mentorship and expert guidance between April and June 2027.
Mentor-endorsed teams will pitch their projects to panels comprising representatives of Akuna, Google and the wider film industry. Selected projects will receive funding for production, with filming scheduled for July to October 2027.
The completed films will be showcased in October 2027, while participating creators will have opportunities to take their works to <a href="https://cinemamix360.com/2026/11/03/arava-film-festival-to-use-two-screens-for-first-time/" title="Arava Film Festival to use two screens for first time”>film festivals and other showcases.
Speaking on the initiative, Elba said it was designed to expand access to training and equip African creatives with the skills to tell their stories using AI tools.
He said the partnership with Google and Curious Refuge would provide training, mentorship and production funding, while allowing creators to retain control of their work.
Elba expressed optimism that the programme would help participants develop their skills, access employment opportunities and contribute to shaping Africa’s narratives.
Chief Executive Officer of The Akuna Group, Khaled Gad, said training alone was insufficient to build a sustainable creative industry, stressing the need to connect learning with opportunities to produce and showcase films.
He said the programme would provide a pathway from initial training to the completion of funded films, adding that it would operate under the same standards across all five countries.
Gad urged aspiring filmmakers to apply, noting that applicants did not need a film school qualification or previous AI experience but must demonstrate their creative abilities through existing work.
The programme is open to filmmakers, screenwriters, animators, advertisers, digital content creators, photographers, designers, editors and visual artists.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, physically reside in one of the five participating countries and have access to a laptop, reliable internet connection and consistent electricity throughout the programme.
They must also be available for the 12-week academy scheduled for February to April 2027 and commit to subsequent stages if selected to progress.
Applicants are required to submit existing creative work demonstrating their talent and commitment, regardless of the scale of their previous projects.
The organisers said the programme was free to apply for and attend for successful candidates, adding that women were particularly encouraged to apply
