Out Of Africa: Call For Applications – 2026 African Producers Accelerator (APA)
The African Producers Accelerator (APA) has announced an open call to mid-career African film producers for its second edition, following a successful pilot in 2025. Run by Big World Cinema in partnership with Bertha Foundation and National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa, and in association with Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) and Central Film […]
Black News 
The African Producers Accelerator (APA) has announced an open call to mid-career African film producers for its second edition, following a successful pilot in 2025.
Run by Big World Cinema in partnership with Bertha Foundation and National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa, and in association with Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) and Central Film School, the 12-week programme offers tailor-made advisory and practical support designed around each producer’s specific company and slate. The programme starts in May and concludes at the end of July 2026.
APA is tailor-made around the individual producer’s needs, goals and challenges, with a key focus on creating solutions. Participants engage in weekly online 1:1 strategy sessions, curated masterclasses, and targeted consultations with leading international industry specialists based on the producer’s needs and goals.
The programme culminates in a five day in-person Lab in Cape Town where producers refine their company pitches and slates before presenting to a panel of investors. Participants will then move to the Durban FilmMart, where bespoke investor and fund meetings will be arranged, alongside a private networking dinner with international guests from funds, sales agents, festival programmers and distributors.
The APA programme provides access to experts specialising in world sales, IP, business affairs, development and financing. Participation is free for producers and the cost of attending the Lab and Durban FilmMart is covered by the APA programme.
Established in 1994, Big World Cinema is a production and distribution company based in South Africa. Led by Steven Markovitz and Tamsin Ranger, Big World has worked with over 150 producers across Africa, providing critical insights into scaling production companies. Big World Cinema’s productions span 35 African countries, with screenings at major festivals like Cannes, Sundance, Venice, Berlin, and Toronto. Their films have been distributed globally through leading platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, Showtime, Mubi, BBC, Criterion Channel, Al Jazeera, PBS, RTBF, VPRO, SVT, DR, SABC, etv, Mnet, Showmax, arte, NRK, CBC, SBS, Canal+, Canal International, and Channel 4, securing theatrical releases in markets like Brazil, Japan, the USA, Canada, UK, Russia, across Europe and Africa.
Eligibility requirements:
Applicants must be:
- – an African citizen living on the continent
- – proficient in English
- – in a primary role as a producer, for 3+ years
- – able to commit to 12 weeks’ part-time participation (up to 4 hours/week).
- – credited with a feature-length narrative film, feature documentary, TV hour documentary or TV series which has screened at an international festival or been broadcast beyond its country of production.
Applications close at 22:59 GMT on 5 April 2026. Please apply here.
