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2025 Documentary Film Fellowship
(by StoryMi Academy and the French Embassy in Nigeria)
Are you a Nigerian filmmaker with a bold, compelling story to tell?
Our Documentary Film Fellowship is back for its third edition! We are looking for four passionate, driven professionals ready to develop powerful stories with the support of industry mentors and funding.
About the Fellowship
The 2025 Documentary Film Fellowship is a 4-month intensive training, production, and mentorship program for Nigerian documentary filmmakers. With expert guidance, funding, and a structured development process, fellows will produce a 15–20 minute original short documentary.
This program is fully funded by the French Embassy in Nigeria and led in partnership with acclaimed Nigerian mentors and international industry experts.
Fellowship Timeline
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Program Duration: August – November 2025
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In-Person Workshop: First week of August and November (Lagos)
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Ongoing: Virtual mentorship sessions, check-ins, and masterclasses.
Program Benefits
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🎥 Production Grant: ₦2,000,000 to produce a documentary film
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👥 Mentorship: Learn from Ike Nnaebue (Director, No U-Turn) and Chika Oduah (Award-winning Journalist & Filmmaker)
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🧠 Training: Participate in hands-on workshops, storytelling labs, and one-on-one editing sessions
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🌍 Global Exposure: Stand a chance to present your film at an international documentary film festival in January 2026 (based on merit and project readiness).
Who Should Apply?
We’re looking for professional filmmakers based in Nigeria who are:
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Committed to non-fiction storytelling (no fiction or reenactments)
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Available full-time from August to November 2025
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Experienced in filming, editing, or producing (you’ll indicate your strengths)
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Passionate about telling urgent, local stories on themes such as identity, environment, history, culture or social issues.
🚫 Please Note:
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This program is not open to beginners or film students. It is strictly for professionals.
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Fiction, dramatizations, and reenactments are not accepted.
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Participation in an international film festival is not guaranteed, but based on the quality of your work and dedication.
📅 Deadline for Applications: June 10th, 2025.
Who can apply for the Documentary Film Fellowship? This program is open to professional Nigerian storytellers—filmmakers, journalists, or visual creatives—with a passion for documentary filmmaking. Applicants must be based in Nigeria and willing to fully commit to the program’s duration from August to November 2025.
What kind of film ideas are you looking for? We welcome non-fiction documentary projects—no fiction or dramatized reenactments. Your idea can explore social, environmental, historical, or cultural themes rooted in Nigerian realities. We're particularly drawn to stories that haven't been told enough, or told well.
Do I need to have prior filmmaking experience? Yes, this program is designed for professionals. You should already have some experience in filmmaking or storytelling—either as a director, cinematographer, editor, journalist, or producer.
How many fellows will be selected? Only four fellows will be selected for the 2025 cohort.
Is there a cost to participate in the program? No, there is no cost to participate in the StoryMi Documentary Film Fellowship program. All travel and accommodation costs for the physical sessions will be covered by StoryMi Academy.
Who are the mentors? This year’s mentors are: Ike Nnaebue, award-winning Nigerian filmmaker and director of No U-Turn Chika Oduah, renowned journalist and multimedia storyteller focused on African stories.
I have a question that isn't answered here. Who can I contact? If you have any further questions about the StoryMi Documentary Film Fellowship program, please feel free to contact us at contact@storymi.org.
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