The Africa Film Fund is a landmark US$1 billion initiative launched by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) through its development impact investment arm, the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), under the umbrella of the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) program.
The fund addresses systemic barriers across the continent’s film value chain including severe financing gaps, a shortage of post-production facilities, and limited exhibition networks.
Core Details & Fund Scope
- Financing Allocation: Up to US$1 billion deployed via debt, equity, quasi-equity, guarantees, and lines of credit.
- Target Sectors:
- Content Production & Development: Feature films, TV series, documentaries, and animation slates with intra-African and global export potential.
- Hard Infrastructure: Physical studio builds, soundstages, post-production facilities, and cinema exhibition chains.
- Digital Infrastructure: Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming platforms and digital distribution tech.
- Capacity Building: Technical training centers and audiovisual innovation hubs.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for direct debt or equity financing from FEDA/Afreximbank, projects and entities must meet key thresholds:
- Entity Registration: Enterprises registered in an Afreximbank participating state, OR diaspora-owned entities with a verified link to an African founder/partner.
- Commercial Track Record: Producers generally must demonstrate a minimum track record (e.g., at least 3 distributed titles or US$1 million in prior revenue) or be backed by an established production studio.
- Distribution & Offtake: Projects with existing pre-sale agreements, distribution contracts, or studio co-financing receive prioritized review.
How Filmmakers Can Access the Fund
| Channel | Mechanism & Application Route |
| Direct Project Proposal | Submit project pitch decks, financial models, and proof of distribution rights via the official CANEX Portal under the Africa Film Fund intake stream. |
| CANEX WKND Deal Rooms | Pitch directly to FEDA investment officers and institutional co-investors during business-to-business deal rooms at CANEX WKND events. |
| Bank Lines of Credit | Apply through local participating commercial banks across Afreximbank member states that hold CANEX lines of credit designated for creative sector on-lending. |
| CANEX Shorts Competition | Emerging filmmakers (ages 18–35) can enter short films (under 5 minutes) in the annual CANEX Shorts Competition to win cash grants ($2,000), pitch opportunities, and sponsored trips to CANEX events. |
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