Call for Applications: Great Lakes Creative Producer Lab

The Lab supports projects from producers based in East Africa, specifically from the following countries: Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.​ Applicants must submit one project only, with their application materials prepared in either English or French. The program is designed to help producers refine their projects, develop their professional skills, and connect with peers and mentors from the region.

Eligibility Criteria

• Fiction Producers:
  • The Great Lakes Creative Producer Lab is open to any producer formally attached to a full-length, fiction feature film currently in its development stage. Applicants must control the rights to the project with which they apply.
  • Projects do not need financing in place at the time of application. However, each application must demonstrate serious attention to the film’s budget and articulate the reasoning behind the budget level. Documentary, short film, new media and episodic projects are not eligible to apply.
  • The call is open to producers from one of the following countries; Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
  • Only one project per applicant is accepted for submission and can be in English or French.
• Documentary Producers:
  • The Great Lakes Creative Producer Lab is open to any producer formally attached to a documentary film currently in its development stage. Applicants must own the IP rights to the project with which they apply and must have a director attached to the project.
  • The call is open to producers from one of the following countries; Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Ethiopia. One producer per country will be selected for the Documentary Lab.
  • Only one project per applicant is accepted for submission and can be in English or French.
• Fiction Lab Eligibility:
  • Project Requirements: Open to producers attached to a full-length fiction feature film in development.
  • Rights Ownership: Applicants must have formal control of the project rights.
  • Budget Consideration: Financing is not required at the time of application, but applicants must detail the budget level and justify its reasoning.
  • Exclusions: Documentary, short film, episodic, or new media projects are not eligible.
  • Languages: Applications can be submitted in English or French.
  • Geographical Scope: Producers from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Ethiopia and DRC.
  • Application Limit: Only one project per applicant.
• Documentary Lab Eligibility:
  • Project Requirements: Open to producers attached to a documentary film in development, with an attached director.
  • Rights Ownership: Applicants must own the intellectual property rights to the project.
  • Selection Scope: One producer per country will be selected for the lab.
  • Languages: Applications can be submitted in English or French.
  • Geographical Scope: Producers from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
  • Application Limit: Only one project per applicant.

Application Requirements

• Complete the Application Form
• Fill out the online application form in French or English, providing accurate and detailed information.
• Submit the Following Documents:
  • Application Letter & Video (max. 3 minutes):
  • Describe your background, present your current project (including format, stage of development, and needs), and share your motivations, objectives, and expectations for participating in the program.
  • Film Synopsis and Logline (max. 200 words).
  • Narrative Treatment (max. 10 pages).
  • Project Status and History (max. 200 words).
  • Look Book (if available).
  • Producer’s Note of Intent (max. 1 page, 200 words).
  • Curriculum Vitae (focused on your filmography, max. 200 words).
  • Production Company Presentation (max. 200 words).
  • Budget Top Sheet and Finance Plan (in local currency and euros).
  • Chain of Title documentation.
• Provide Proof of Eligibility:
  • A copy of your passport to verify citizenship.
  • A high-resolution image of yourself.
• Submit Work Samples:
  • A Vimeo or YouTube link to the director’s most recent film (short or feature), subtitled in French or English.

For more information, visit Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab.