Africa No Filter announces Kekere Storytellers Fund recipients

Launched in November 2020, the Kekere Storytellers Fund is part of ANF’s way of disrupting traditional funding by ensuring that no voice remains unheard. To this end, applications were submitted in English, French, Arabic and Portuguese in writing and through voice recordings.

The project seeks to mirror the communities of artists through filmmaking and creating an Instagram platform that amplifies women in music using 3D animation to inspire agency or give voice to communities through theatre and feature stories.

The recipients received microgrants of between $500 and $2 000 to work on projects that embody their experiences in Africa and being African – representing originality, freedom, creativity and innovation.

“Our mission for Kekere is clear and remains the same: to empower African storytellers through funding and other support,” ANF arts and culture programme lead Jessica Hagan said. “Once again, we were looking for innovative, passionate storytellers with fantastic projects that showcased Africans and the continent in an interesting and refreshing way.”

In keeping with ANF’s broader grant-making strategy, the Kekere Storytellers Fund supports performance and visual artists, as well as content creators in the media space. For the second cohort, which also marks year two of ANF, diversity took centre stage – from the countries represented to the type of stories being told to the platforms they will be shared on, ANF said. These include films, a magazine, a theatre production, art exhibitions and a YouTube channel that showcases creatives, drumming circles and conversations with Nigeria’s LGBT community.

ANF media and research lead Natasha Kimani said: “Our first cohort of Kekere grantees introduced us into the wonderful world of young, often unsupported African storytellers. This has inspired us to focus even more on trying to amplify storytellers and content creators who rarely have access to opportunities. We hope that this investment will be the beginning of more diverse and nuanced stories and partnerships across the continent.”

The 11 successful applicants are as follows:

• Salma Mahmoud (Sudan)
• Kasiva Mutua (Kenya)
• Cedric Bichano (Uganda)
• Sibomana Ambassadeur (Rwanda)
• Anda Mtshelma (South Africa)
• Nadia Matovu (Uganda)
• Eveline Mbisah (Cameroon)
• Cheraé Halley (South Africa)
• Youhana Nassif (Egypt)
• Chisom Job (Nigeria)
• Erhuardt Muchemwa (Zimbabwe)