Netflix Allocates $1m in Scholarships Towards Sub-Saharan Africa Film Making

Netflix has announced its commitment of $1m towards a scholarship fund for film and TV students in Sub-Saharan Africa, titled the Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF). This fund will provide African creatives with access to quality education in file and TV-focused disciplines at sought after universities.

It forms part of Netflix’s global Netflix Creative Equity Fund, launched in 2021 to be allocated to various international initiatives.

The Netflix CESF targets a rollout course across Africa in 2022. However, it commences with an open call for applications in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, partnering with social investment fund management and advisory firm Tshikululu Social Investments as implementing partner and fund administrator in Southern Africa. Netflix CESF will communicate fund administration partners for East Africa and the West and Central Africa regions in due course.

The fund will cover tuition, accommodation, study materials and living expenses at institutions where students have gained admission to pursue a course of study in the TV and film disciplines in the 2022 academic year.

According to Netflix’s Director of Content in Africa, Netflix is excited by the potential of the next generation of storytellers. “We’re committed to investing in the future of African storytelling in the long-term,” says Ben Amadasun. “We believe there are great stories to be told from Africa, and we want to play our part by supporting students who are passionate about the film and TV industry so they too can ultimately contribute to the creative ecosystem.”