South African filmmakers, content creators and visual storytellers have an opportunity to sharpen their skills through a new free artificial intelligence (AI) filmmaking programme launched by The Akuna Group, chaired by Sir Idris Elba, in partnership with Google.
Applications for the “From Script to Screen with AI” programme officially opened on 26 October and will close on 15 November 2026. The initiative is available to eligible creators from South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Delivered through Akuna Learning in collaboration with Google and supported by US$1 million in funding from Google.org, the programme aims to equip aspiring filmmakers and creators with AI-powered storytelling skills while helping them develop projects from concept to completed films.
Selected participants will take part in a 50-week programme that begins with a 12-week online academy before progressing to mentorship, project pitching and film production. Teams selected for funding will produce their films, which will be showcased at festivals and special screenings in October 2027.
Organisers said participants will retain full ownership of their creative work, with neither the programme nor its partners claiming ownership rights over completed projects.
The programme offers training in five creative pathways:
- Fiction filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Animation
- Advertising and branded storytelling
- Screenwriting
The programme will unfold in five phases, starting with applications and selection between October 2026 and January 2027, followed by online training from February to April 2027. Successful graduates will then receive mentorship to develop film ideas before pitching projects for funding. Winning teams will produce their films between July and October 2027 with creative and technical support.
The opportunity is open to aspiring and emerging filmmakers, screenwriters, animators, advertisers, photographers, designers, editors, digital content creators and visual artists. Applicants do not need previous AI experience, a film school qualification or years of industry experience.
Sir Idris Elba, Chairman of The Akuna Group, said the programme is designed to expand learning opportunities and help African creators tell authentic stories.
“For me, this is about learning. This is about access to courses that help educate creators across the continent to tell their stories. Through Akuna Learning, we’re partnering with Google and Curious Refuge on ‘From Script to Screen with AI’, a remarkable training and mentorship programme teaching African filmmakers to use AI tools.”
He added that selected projects would receive production funding while creators would retain ownership of their work.
The Akuna Group Chief Executive Officer, Khaled Gad, said the initiative is intended to help creators move beyond training into producing completed films.
“Training on its own does not build an industry. Creators need a route from the classroom to the screen, and this programme carries them all the way, from their first application to a finished, funded film,” he said.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, reside in one of the five participating countries, have access to a laptop, reliable internet and consistent electricity, and be available to participate in the full 12-week academy from February to April 2027. Applicants are also required to submit examples of previous creative work demonstrating their talent and commitment. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications are available online at https://akunalearning.com until 15 November 2026.
