By Bricky Mongina
Docubox – East African Documentary Film Fund has selected five filmmakers from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda for its 2026 Short Fiction Development Grant and Lab.
The initiative is aimed at helping East African storytellers develop short fiction projects and build connections with the international film industry.
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The filmmakers were announced during Shorts, Shorts & Shots 2026 Animation Edition, an event hosted by Docubox to celebrate African animation and storytellers contributing to the growth of the continent’s screen industries.
In partnership with the French Embassy in Kenya, the programme will award each filmmaker a €2,500 development grant, bringing the total funding to €12,500.
The five selected filmmakers are Joshua Faber from Tanzania, whose project is Bibi Titi, A Walk to Freedom; Naddya Adhiambo Oluoch-Olunya from Kenya, with Uzi; Wanjeri Gakuru, also from Kenya, with Listen; Maria Byoma from Uganda, with Searching in Ssingo; and Ganza Moise from Rwanda, with Bituri.
The cohort will undergo three months of online mentorship in screenwriting, story development and pitching before participating in the Talent Connexion programme at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France, scheduled for January 28 to February 5, 2027.
The filmmakers were selected through an open call. Each has written or directed at least two short films or audiovisual works that have screened at festivals, cinemas, on television or through video-on-demand platforms.
The initiative focuses on the development stage of filmmaking, helping participants turn promising ideas into stronger screenplays and viable projects that can attract production partners and financiers.
“Development is where strong films begin, yet it remains one of the most underfunded stages of filmmaking,” said Susan Mbogo, executive director of Docubox.
“Through our partnership with the French Embassy in Kenya, these grants give independent East African filmmakers the support to shape authentic African stories and strengthen our film ecosystem from the ground up,” she added.
International film platforms
Speaking at the event, French Ambassador to Kenya Wadid Benaabou said supporting African filmmakers was important in ensuring that stories from the continent reached wider audiences.
“We are giving a voice to African filmmakers, and that matters enormously. It is important that we hear not just one narrative, but many narratives, including those emerging from East Africa,” Benaabou said.
He said stories from African cities deserved the same international attention as those from established global film centres.
“It is wonderful to hear stories from New York and Paris, but it is equally important to hear stories from Nairobi, Kigali, Kampala and Dar es Salaam,” he said.
The ambassador reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s film industry, noting that cooperation should extend beyond financial assistance to creating access to international opportunities.
“France is committed to supporting Kenya and its film industry. While funding is important, support is not only about financing; it is also about creating access to opportunities and international platforms. Access matters tremendously,” Benaabou said.
He cited the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival as important platforms for filmmakers seeking international exposure.
He also acknowledged the achievements of East African teams behind films identified at the event as Ben Imana and Cannes Ador.
Screenwriting mentorship
The mentorship component will be led by acclaimed Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu, known for Rafiki and Pumzi, who will guide participants in screenwriting and story development.
Pitching mentorship will be led by Tiny Mungwe, co-creator of the Future Mentors programme associated with Durban FilmMart and Berlinale Talents, and a programming adviser.
Through individual and group sessions, the selected filmmakers will refine their scripts, strengthen character development and narrative structure, and prepare materials needed to present their projects to prospective industry partners.
These will include pitch decks, character bibles, mood boards and financing plans designed to help them engage potential financiers, co-producers and distributors.
Beyond the development grants and mentorship, Docubox plans to establish an East African Showcase to connect the filmmakers with potential co-producers, funders, distributors and fellow creatives.
The showcase is intended to increase the visibility of East African short fiction and create opportunities for discussions around financing, production and distribution.
Through the initiative, Docubox and the French Embassy in Kenya aim to strengthen the development of locally rooted stories while helping filmmakers build the industry relationships needed to take their projects to wider audiences.
