Call For Applications: UNESCO/Tamayouz Cinema Foundation Residency for young women African filmmakers (Fully Funded to Morocco)

With funding from the People’s Republic of China and in partnership with the Tamayouz Cinema Foundation, UNESCO presents a 6-week filmmaking residency in Morocco for 10 emerging African women filmmakers, aged 21–35.

Within the framework of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, this unique programme offers a platform to enhance skills, amplify voices, and connect with key players in the film industry across the continent.Location of the residency: Rabat & Marrakech, Morocco Dates of the residency: 15 September – 27 October 2025

Under the mentorship of acclaimed directors Abderrahmane Sissako and Hicham Lasri, participants will receive professional training, produce their own short film, and collaborate with peers from across Africa.

Requirements

Applicants must:

Identify as a woman

Be a citizen of an African state

Be between 21 and 35 years old before the start of the residency

Have at least 2 years of professional experience in film or audio-visual production

Have written and directed at least one fiction film (short, medium, or feature), preferably screened at a festival or broadcast

Speak and understand English and/or French fluently

Two participants will be selected from each African sub-region.

Benefits

Selected participants will receive:

Travel expenses from their home country to Morocco

Visa and administrative support

Accommodation, meals, and local transportation

Training and equal production funding for short film projects

Per diems for additional personal expenses Program

Format: Hybrid (online and in-person)

August – September: Preparatory activities (online)

15 September – 27 October 2025: Six-week residency (in presential in Morocco):

o Session 1: Introduction and development of scenarios

o Session 2: Pre-production

o Session 3: Production

o Session 4: Post-production and closing of the residency

October – December: Post-residency follow-up (online)

The residency programme offers selected filmmakers multiple networking opportunities to forge lasting connections.

How to Apply:

Submit the following:

A completed application form (in English or French)

CV

A copy of your passport  by 31 July 2025 to: convention2005.call@unesco.org

Application Timeline:

7 July 2025: Launch of the open call for applications

31 July 2025: Deadline for applications submissions

15 August 2025: Announcement of the selected candidates

28 August 2025: Online session / Preparatory activities

15 September – 27October 2025: 6-week residency in Morocco

Deadline: 31 July 2025

Click HERE to Apply