SH⚡️CK Africa: Nollywood News. African Films + Trailers

Funds like this rarely get to a lot of filmmakers, and there’s an uncomfortable truth behind that. Many filmmakers simply don’t yet have the financial credibility, structure, or accountability systems required to manage funding at that level. $1M is roughly ₦1.4 billion , that’s not just creative money, it’s serious institutional capital. For many, especially in markets like Nigeria, the structures needed to responsibly manage and account for that scale of funding are still developing. Too often, pitches lean heavily on the creative vision while neglecting the business and operational discipline required to sustain it. The names selected are, in many cases, people who have gone through that process, they’ve built systems, earned trust, and demonstrated financial discipline over time. That doesn’t mean emerging filmmakers are incapable, but it does highlight the gap that still exists. That said, funds like this can also do more, by putting mechanisms in place to support, mentor, and guide filmmakers toward proper financial management and accountability. But 9 projects out of 2,000 submissions? That’s incredibly steep. The real conversation isn’t just about who got in, it’s about how more people can be prepared to qualify.

I disagree ... when you say people should submit projects for development funding considerations, that's a different ball game!! If it was production, then maybe your argument would hold water, but story development should be about who has the most interesting and relevant stories. For me, it all feels like the organisers just used this funding scheme to make themselves popular and grab some celebrity friends while at it. I know you will argue about this, but tell me, why would you ask people to pitch stories and then ask to see videos of them defending their stories? What was that about? Weren't the submitted stories enough to make a decision? Do I have to be good-looking or eloquent? What was that about?

@shockafrica Contrary to your claim on The Return, Zoey Martinson is attached to that project. She has creds with HBO and currently has a feature film in the festival curcuit picking up awards and critical acclaim "The Fisherman". I belive all nine projects were selected from a story and packaging perspective.

There is actually a lot to learn from this post. Yes, Your story is very important, but who you are and your credibility is in many cases the vehicle that will drive whether your story gets made or not.

You just gained a follow from me, I submitted to this, I even encouraged my friend @jptravs to submit to this. I was hopeful that it would be an avenue to discover new filmmakers, even if we didn’t make the cut, at least we would see new filmmakers that are trying to bridge the gap between Hollywood and Africa through storytelling. I was surprised to see the selection 😂. Trevor Noah bawo? as how na 🤦🏾‍♂️. Anyways, we move, I wish the organizers all the best. It’s still a win for the industry in Africa. I only thought development fund was meant for crude and undeveloped projects. Even our own projects sef, we had fears that it was too polished, not knowing that 😂 Anyways, Its a win for the industry in Africa, big picture 🖼️

Hmmmm

Shock, I'm shocked 😳