Deadline: July 31, 2025
The UNESCO Tamayouz Cinema Foundation Residency 2025 is now open for applications! This unique and fully funded residency empowers emerging African women filmmakers through six weeks of immersive training, mentorship, and professional production support in Morocco. If you are a talented storyteller ready to scale your craft, this could be your gateway to global impact.
About the UNESCO Tamayouz Cinema Foundation Residency 2025
The UNESCO Tamayouz Cinema Foundation Residency 2025 is a collaborative initiative by UNESCO, the People’s Republic of China, and the Tamayouz Cinema Foundation. The programme selects ten African women filmmakers (ages 21 to 35) for an intensive six-week residency in Rabat and Marrakech, Morocco.
Participants will receive comprehensive training in screenwriting, directing, production, and post-production while also creating their own short films under the guidance of top African filmmakers.
Key Dates to Remember
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Residency period | 15 September – 27 October 2025 |
| Application deadline | 31 July 2025 (midnight, Paris time) |
What the Residency Offers
Selected participants will benefit from:
- Fully covered round-trip travel to Morocco
- Visa support, accommodation, meals, and local transport
- A professional training programme across multiple stages of film production
- Full funding to produce a short film
- Daily per diem for personal expenses
- Mentorship by renowned African filmmakers Abderrahmane Sissako and Hicham Lasri
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must:
- Identify as a woman
- Be citizens of an African country
- Be between 21 and 35 years old by mid-September 2025
- Have at least two years of professional experience in the film or audiovisual sector
- Have written and directed at least one fiction film (short, medium, or feature), preferably already screened or broadcast
- Be fluent in English and/or French
Two participants will be selected from each African sub-region to ensure diversity and regional representation.
Programme Structure
The residency is designed in three phases:
- Preparatory phase (online): August to mid-September 2025
- In-person residency: 15 September – 27 October 2025 in Rabat and Marrakech
- Post-residency support: Remote mentoring and networking through December 2025
How to Apply
Applicants must submit:
- A completed application form (in English or French)
- A professional CV
- A copy of a valid passport
All documents must be submitted via email to convention2005.call@unesco.org no later than 31 July 2025 (midnight, Paris time).
🔗 Click here to apply
🔗 Read more about the programme
Why This Opportunity Matters
The UNESCO Tamayouz Cinema Foundation Residency 2025 is more than just a training programme—it’s a platform for visibility, skill enhancement, and international networking. With personal mentorship from celebrated filmmakers, full production support, and exposure to African cinematic networks, this residency has the potential to launch or elevate your career.
Whether you’re at the start of your filmmaking journey or seeking to expand your professional footprint, this is a rare and valuable opportunity to turn your vision into a completed project.
Application Tips
- Showcase your strongest previous work—screened or broadcast projects are ideal
- Be clear and focused in your CV and application form
- Highlight your storytelling voice and commitment to African narratives
- Submit early to avoid last-minute delays or disqualifications
Need help perfecting your application?
Contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining, and review to boost your chances of success.
