The narrative change organization, Africa No Filter, is collaborating with Meta to launch a storytelling virtual reality campaign called ‘Future Africa: Telling Stories, Building Worlds.’
The program aims to support extended reality storytellers and prompt them to develop compelling content about Africa through grants and mentorship. The initiative is a part of Meta’s focus on immersive technologies and Africa No Filter’s investments in innovative storytelling to alter the negative stereotypes about Africa.
Moky Makura, Executive Director, Africa No Filter, said, “Virtual Reality has the potential to take storytelling to another level. In this new metaverse, audiences don’t just get to watch a story unfold, they get to live in it. This is an opportunity for African content creators to push the boundaries of their creativity and innovation.”
The organizations are offering up to US$30,000 to extended reality creators selected to take part in the program. The principal criteria for applicants include being of African descent and living in the continent, aged over 18 years, and possessing some experience with XR content creation with a portfolio to showcase their creativity and innovation.
As a part of the application, they also need to discuss a few ideas on how the project can curate an interesting story to fulfill its objective. The initiative incorporates several exciting technologies, including 360 videos, virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality.
Sherry Dzinoreva, Public Policy Programmes Director, Africa, Middle East, and Turkey, Meta said, “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. Meta sits at the intersection of innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and social connection, and this investment is a vote of confidence in the strength of the African tech industry and its ongoing potential. I’m certainly proud that Africa will be helping to shape the metaverse experience from the start.”
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