The African Producers Accelerator (APA) has unveiled the participants for its 2026 program, a crucial initiative dedicated to fostering mid-career African film and television producers. This year's cohort and strategic alliances mark a significant step towards strengthening Africa's creative economy by providing essential support and global networking opportunities. The program aims to empower these producers to overcome systemic industry hurdles, develop their projects, and bring authentic African stories to international audiences, thereby challenging existing narratives and promoting a richer, more diverse cinematic landscape.

Empowering African Cinematic Voices

The African Producers Accelerator (APA), launched in 2025 by Big World Cinema in partnership with the Bertha Foundation, has selected six talented producers for its 2026 program from a highly competitive pool of 267 applicants across 31 countries. This selection underscores the program's commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by mid-career African film and television producers. The chosen participants will benefit from an intensive, tailored curriculum that includes advisory services, business development support, and strategic access to investors and international industry networks. The goal is to equip these creative professionals with the tools and connections necessary to elevate their projects and contribute meaningfully to the global film industry, ensuring their powerful stories gain broader visibility.

The six distinguished participants for the 2026 edition include South Africa’s Babalwa Baartman and David Franciscus, Nigeria’s Mimi Bartels and Abba Makama, Ghana’s Kofi Owusu-Afriyie, and Sudan’s Khalid Awad. These producers have already made notable contributions to cinema, with works like “Good Madam,” “Adire,” and “The Fisherman” gaining critical recognition and festival premieres. The program’s comprehensive approach not only focuses on individual project development but also aims to build a robust ecosystem for African cinema. By combining mentorship with practical business strategies and direct investor engagement, the APA is systematically dismantling barriers that have historically limited African producers, enabling them to navigate the complexities of international film markets and secure vital funding for their innovative projects.

Forging Key Alliances for Industry Growth

In a significant development for the African film industry, the African Producers Accelerator (APA) announced two pivotal new partnerships during the Cannes Film Festival. South Africa’s National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), a government body vital for film funding, has officially joined as a program partner. The NFVF will play a crucial role in supporting the Cape Town lab, where selected producers will refine their project pitches, ensuring they are investor-ready. This collaboration highlights a concerted effort to provide localized support and leverage national resources to benefit emerging talent within the continent. The partnership with NFVF is expected to enhance the practical training and project development phases, offering participants invaluable insights and preparation for global markets.

Furthermore, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an initiative from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) designed to bolster Africa’s creative industries, has become the APA’s pan-African institutional partner. This alliance will be instrumental in the culminating phase of the program, which takes place at CANEX WKND in Lagos. Here, producers will deliver formal pitch presentations to a curated selection of film investors and financiers. They will also engage in one-on-one investment meetings and gain direct access to CANEX’s extensive investment pipeline and decision-makers. These strategic partnerships collectively expand the APA’s reach and resources, creating unprecedented opportunities for African producers to access capital, strengthen their projects, and establish critical connections within the international film community, ultimately fostering a thriving and sustainable creative economy across Africa.