The world’s streaming entertainment service, Netflix announced 52 beneficiaries of its Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF), for the West and Central African region. The announcement was made at a stakeholder event, hosted by the National Film and Video Censor Board (NFVCB) in Lagos.
The 2-day event engaged regulators and partners on important discussions including; Nigerian storytelling as soft power and hard currency; inclusion of women in the creative economy; the need for strengthening Nigeria’s creative pipeline, and Nollywood’s contribution to global perception.
Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF) will provide financial support to its beneficiaries including access to quality tertiary education in film and TV-focused disciplines.
The scholarship fund for Sub-Saharan students is part of Netflix’s global Creative Equity Fund launched in 2021 which is a dedicated effort to help build new opportunities for underrepresented communities within entertainment.
Through the fund, Netflix supports external organisations committed to creating equitable opportunities in the TV and film industries, as well as bespoke Netflix programs that help us to identify, train and provide job placement for up-and-coming talent globally.
The Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund celebrated the inaugural cohort of 52 beneficiaries from four East African countries (Benin Republic, Gabon, Ghana and Nigeria).
The 52 Beneficiaries include three beneficiaries from PAN-Atlantic University (Nigeria); 24 beneficiaries from National film institute Jos (Nigeria); eiight beneficiaries-National Film and Television Institute (Ghana); 15 beneficiaries from Institut Supérieur des Métiers de l’Audiovisuel (ISMA) (Benin); and two beneficiaries from Institut Philippe Maury de l’Audiovisuel et du Cinéma (IPMAC) du groupe EM-Gabon Université (EMGU).
All the beneficiaries are eligible to receive a full scholarship which includes – tuition, accommodation, living stipend and education supplies.
The program is currently being administered by dalberg in partnership with the five institutions of higher learning in the region that will support the formal qualification and training of aspiring creatives from the region.
