Call for Applications – Documentary Producers

The Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab brings together emerging producers from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia. This program is meant to address some of the challenges that exist in the film ecosystem across the African region where the role of a creative producer is not always well understood.

The goal of the lab is to increase the number of creative producers by equipping producers with the required resources and tools, strengthen their skills in the film development stage and enhance the quality of their projects in order to create greater opportunities, visibility and access to the global markets. 

The program will launch into making the projects market ready for a global platform through a series of meetings that will cover the crucial aspects of the development process. This will feature sessions on story, market placement, financing and distribution approach, social and legal relations with the core teams & contributors. The sessions will feature both group and one on one sessions that will allow for project specific consultations that are tailored to the unique aspects of each project.

Who Can Apply? 

The Great Lakes Creative Producer Lab is open to any English speaking producer formally attached to a documentary film. Applicants must own the IP rights to the project with which they apply and must have a director attached to the project.

The call is open to producers from the following countries: Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. One producer from each country will be selected for the Documentary Lab.

We also have a slot for one producer from a Francophone African country. A comprehensive list follows below:

Bénin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cameroun, Congo Brazzaville, Congo RDC, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinée, Iles Comores et Ile Maurice, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritanie, Niger, République Centrafricaine, Rwanda, Sénégal, Les Seychelles, Tchad, Togo ainsi que d’Haïti.

Only one project per applicant is accepted for submission. Projects can be in English or French; however, French-speaking producers must submit English-translated documents.

Materials Required:

·      The completed application form, along with a project dossier as a PDF with the following: 

·      Video in English (maximum 3 minutes) outlining the producer's background, a short presentation of current project (format, stage of development, needs), as well as his/her motivations, objectives, and expectations for participating in the programme.

·      Logline, synopsis, treatment, artistic approach & project timeline

·      The producer’s note of intent ( maximum 1 page and 200 words )

·      The director’s note of Intent (maximum 200 words)

·      Description of the distribution/marketing approach (maximum 200 words)

·      Fundraising strategy (maximum 200 words)

·      Proof of access to the main subject

·      Bio/CV of the core team of the project including the director (maximum 200 words each)

·      A trailer of 5 -10 minutes: a Vimeo or Youtube link

·      Director’s work sample for their prior work; a Vimeo or Youtube link subtitled in French or English 

·      Copy of the producer’s passport for proof of citizenship

·      A high resolution image of the producer

Incomplete applications will not be accepted, and submissions exceeding the word count will be disadvantaged and disregarded 

Selection:

The selection of the participants in the program will be made by the Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab. The results will be given at the end of August 2025.

 Eligibility: 

·      Producers must have produced at least one documentary short film 

·      Producers must apply with a project and should be lead producers on the project

·      The producer’s project should be in development and should have a rough cut

·      Producers should own the IP to work on the documentary project

·      The Producers should not be the writer/director on the project

·      The producer should be a citizen of the countries listed above

·      Producer is able to exchange in English in a professional context

Requirements upon Selection:

·      An acknowledgment of the contribution from the Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab and Documentary Africa on end credits of the producer’s project

·      Confirmed full participation in the lab and additional pre-Lab and post support workshops/events

·      Provision of the producer’s agreement/deal memo for the project

Participation details:
Selection for the programme includes: 

·      Round trip transportation between the participant's place of residence and workshops places  

·      Meals and accommodation on site

·      Participation in the activities offered under the programme

Application Deadline: 30th June, 2025.

Pre-Lab sessions: Select dates in September & October 2025 

Producers Lab Dates: 3rd November - 7th November, 2025

Location of the Workshop: Kampala, Uganda

Contact persons:

Habiba Gicheru
Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab
habiba@greatlakesproducerslab.com 

Samuel Tebandeke
Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab
sam@kiasitv.com 

Juliana Kabua
Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab
juliana@aftales.com

Only accepted candidates shall be notified by email. Selected projects shall be published online through social media and other relevant channels. Specific feedback will not be sent to unsuccessful applicants.