Netflix To Train African Creatives Through a Scholarship Initiative

Netflix has extended its creative equity scholarship fund to accommodate storytellers in West and Central Africa hoping to build a strong pipeline of creatives with this initiative.

The intentionality of this program is not oblivious. Adewale Adekunle, who recently got admitted into the Kunle Afolayan Productions Film and Television Academy feels this way. According to him, “An initiative like this one will not just amplify my voice as a Creative Storyteller but will also equip me with the proper skill-sets and exposures I need to further tell the original African stories.”

Adekunle feels that a lot of people are telling the Western stories already and his niche must center on the core of Africanism. He posits that a huge platform like Netflix that attracts a worldwide audience is key for him in achieving such.

“One thing I always admire about international brands like Netflix is their strive for excellence, and I am very sure that excellence will be the watchword while planning an initiative like this for African Storytellers,” Adekunle adds.

TNR asked Adekunle what his intentions are towards the Netflix project since he is already an incoming student of Kunle Afolayan Film and Television Academy. Responding with a smile, he says, “Information is never too much.” Adekunle intends to gather as much knowledge as possible on this career path and sell compelling stories to Africans.

This Netflix initiative is open to institutions in Ghana, Nigeria, and Gabon. Other qualifying nationalities are from Burkina Faso, Bénin, Cape Verde, Côte D’ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.