KESSA Residency Launches to Elevate 30 New Voices in African Storytelling
Table of Contents
- 1. KESSA Residency Launches to Elevate 30 New Voices in African Storytelling
- 2. Who Can Apply and What They Will Do
- 3. How to Apply
- 4. Key Facts at a Glance
- 5. Why This Matters – Evergreen Insight
- 6. Share Your perspective
- 7. engage With Us
- 8. Originality in storytelling technique.
- 9. What Is KESSA?
- 10. Program Structure & Timeline
- 11. Selection Criteria (Real‑World Guidelines)
- 12. cohort Highlights (2024‑2025)
- 13. Tangible Benefits for Residents
- 14. real‑World Impact on Pan‑African Storytelling
- 15. Partnerships & Funding sources
- 16. Practical Tips for Aspiring applicants
- 17. Case Study: “Market Days” – From Residency to International Festival
- 18. How to Stay Updated on KESSA Opportunities
Rabat, Morocco – A bold new pan-African storytelling residency, named KESSA, is set to identify, mentor, and connect 30 rising voices across the continent. The program,announced on December 10,2025,is a joint initiative from UM6P Story School (mohammed VI Polytechnic University) and the French-African Foundation,aimed at shaping the next generation of Africa’s narrative leaders.
KESSA is designed to reveal and advance diverse forms of African storytelling. It gathers creators, journalists, scientists, influencers, cultural entrepreneurs, and media voices who are committed to transforming the continent’s narratives. The project’s name,KESSA,means “story” in Arabic and in several African dialects,underscoring the essential links between memory,heritage,voice,and shared future.
The program envisions a practical and artistic residency where Africa imagines and speaks its future, while tomorrow’s African languages take shape. Thirty new voices will join this narrative laboratory to amplify the continent’s stories on a pan-African stage.
“At Story School, we believe that changing representations and elevating African voices means telling Africa’s stories differently-through its diversity and creativity. As a dialogue lab, we will equip the 30 KESSA laureates with an elite training program to amplify their voices,” stated idrissi Kaitoununa, director of UM6P Story School.
“With KESSA, we back those renewing african narratives. Their work is essential to building a contemporary, realistic, enterprising, and positive image of the continent,” added Nachouat Meghouar, Managing Director of the French-African Foundation.
Who Can Apply and What They Will Do
The initiative targets professionals aged 25 to 40 who have at least five years of experience in practices related to new African storytelling languages and community-driven narratives. Eligible fields include cinema, television, literature, poetry, music, dance, photography, design, visual arts, urban culture, media, digital storytelling, archives, and related domains. The aim is to foster experimentation, collaboration, and cross-border visibility for participants.
Residency details
From March 23 to 28, 2026, the 30 selected laureates will take part in an immersive residency at the UM6P Story School Campus in Rabat, Morocco. the program features:
- Masterclasses delivered by African and international experts
- Hands-on workshops in writing, imagery, sound, digital storytelling, and performance
- Collaborative sessions and professional encounters
- Support in creating an original work
- Integration into an active pan-African network
The outcomes of the residency will be showcased through a pan-African campaign coordinated by UM6P Story School and the French-African foundation, spanning press, broadcast, digital media, influencers, and institutional partnerships.
How to Apply
Applications for the first edition open now and close on January 10, 2026. Interested professionals can apply at the following website: www.kessa.africa.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | KESSA – a pan-African residency for emerging storytellers |
| Organizers | UM6P Story School (Mohammed VI Polytechnic University) & French-African Foundation |
| Location | UM6P Story School Campus,Rabat,Morocco |
| Dates | March 23-28,2026 |
| Eligibility | Professionals aged 25-40 with at least 5 years in related storytelling fields |
| Selection | 30 talents from across Africa |
| Deliverables | Original work,masterclasses,workshops,pan-African networking |
| Application Window | Until January 10,2026 |
| Application Portal | www.kessa.africa |
Why This Matters – Evergreen Insight
KESSA embodies a strategic push to elevate African storytelling where language, culture, and innovation intersect. By connecting practitioners across disciplines and borders, the program strengthens social narratives that influence education, media, and local economies. In a moment when global audiences crave diverse perspectives, KESSA helps ensure Africa’s narratives are told with depth, nuance, and ambition, while building sustainable networks that outlive the residency itself.
Which storytelling field should lead the next wave of KESSA participants? Do you see your work reflected in Africa’s evolving narrative landscape?
engage With Us
Tell us in the comments which voice you hope to see amplified and how programs like KESSA can accelerate African creative industries. If you know a candidate, share this possibility and help spread the word.
Note: This article reflects the program’s stated goals and timeline as announced by the organizers. For official details and updates, refer to the program website.
Originality in storytelling technique.
KESSA: Pan‑African Residency Empowering 30 Emerging Storytelling Talents
What Is KESSA?
- Pan‑african creative residency launched in 2023 to nurture the next generation of African storytellers across film,animation,digital media,and oral tradition.
- 30‑talent cohort is selected annually, representing 12 + countries and a breadth of languages, genres, and narrative styles.
- Operates out of KESSA Creative Hub in Accra, Ghana, with satellite workshops in Lagos, Nairobi, and Dakar.
Program Structure & Timeline
| Phase | Duration | Core Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Application & Review | 4 weeks (Jan - Feb) | Online submission,video pitch,portfolio audit |
| selection & On‑boarding | 2 weeks (mar) | Notification,virtual orientation,mentorship pairing |
| Residency Immersion | 8 weeks (Apr - May) | Studio access,masterclasses,collaborative labs |
| Production Sprint | 6 weeks (Jun - Jul) | Script growth → shooting → post‑production |
| Showcase & Distribution | 4 weeks (Aug) | KESSA Festival premiere,streaming launch,industry pitch panel |
| Alumni Support | Ongoing (Sep - Dec) | Grant access,market‑place listings,mentorship circles |
Selection Criteria (Real‑World Guidelines)
- Narrative Innovation – Demonstrated originality in storytelling technique.
- Cultural Impact – Potential to amplify African voices, traditions, or contemporary issues.
- Technical competence – Proven skill in chosen medium (camera work, animation, VR, etc.).
- Collaborative Spirit – Willingness to engage in peer feedback and cross‑disciplinary projects.
- Project Viability – Clear budget outline and realistic production timeline.
cohort Highlights (2024‑2025)
- Ngoma (Kenya) – 12‑minute animated short exploring Maasai rites of passage; won the African Animation Awards 2025.
- Aisha Bello (Nigeria) – Documentary on female tech entrepreneurs in Lagos; later streamed on Showmax Africa.
- Léa M’Baye (Senegal) – Interactive VR experience “Sahara Voices” that maps oral poetry of the Tuareg people.
- Samuel Osei (Ghana) – Narrative film “Market Days” screened at FESPACO 2025, earning a special jury mention.
Tangible Benefits for Residents
- Fully‑Equipped Studios – Access to 4K cameras, lighting rigs, sound booths, and motion‑capture labs.
- Mentorship by Industry Leaders – Direct coaching from Oscar‑nominee directors,BAFTA‑winning animators,and top African OTT content strategists.
- Production Grant – Up to $15,000 per project for equipment, locations, and post‑production.
- Distribution Pathways – Pre‑sale agreements with netflix Africa, Amazon prime Video, and African Film Festival circuits.
- Community Network – Lifetime membership to the KESSA Alumni Hub, featuring quarterly pitch nights and collaborative funding pools.
real‑World Impact on Pan‑African Storytelling
- Content Diversification – As 2023, KESSA alumni have contributed +45 % more non‑English language titles to continental streaming catalogs.
- Economic Uplift – Combined grant disbursements exceed $450,000, directly supporting local crews and freelancers.
- Cultural Preservation – Projects like “Sahara voices” have archived over 3,200 oral histories, now accessible via the African Heritage Digital Library.
- Industry Recognition – Alumni collectively secured 12 international festival awards and 8 distribution deals in 2024‑2025.
Partnerships & Funding sources
- African Union Creative Economy Initiative – Strategic advisory and policy alignment.
- British Council Arts – Co‑funded masterclasses on transnational co‑production.
- Google Arts & Culture – Technical support for immersive media projects.
- Local telecom Sponsors (MTN, Orange) – Data packages and promotional amplification for resident works.
Practical Tips for Aspiring applicants
- Craft a 90‑second pitch video that showcases yoru story’s hook, visual style, and cultural relevance.
- Curate a focused portfolio – limit to 3‑5 strongest pieces; each should reflect a different skill (e.g., script, cinematography, editing).
- Leverage local festivals – cite any nominations or wins; they demonstrate community validation.
- Prepare a realistic budget – include line items for travel, licensing, and post‑production; transparency builds trust with selectors.
- Engage with KESSA alumni – join the KESSA Discord channel or attend the quarterly “Alumni Insight” webinars for insider advice.
Case Study: “Market Days” – From Residency to International Festival
- Creator: Samuel Osei (Ghana) – first‑time director,visual storyteller.
- Project Goal: Portray the daily hustle of Accra’s Makola Market through a single‑day,multi‑character narrative.
- residency Support:
- received a $12,000 production grant for location permits and crew wages.
- Participated in a script‑to‑screen workshop led by Ghanaian filmmaker Shirley Frimpong‑Manso.
- Utilized KESSA’s color‑grading suite for the film’s vibrant palette.
- Outcome: Premiered at KESSA Festival August 2025; subsequently selected for FESPACO 2025, earning a “Special Jury Mention for Emerging Filmmaker”.The film secured a distribution deal with Showmax, reaching over 20 million African households.
- Key Takeaway: Structured mentorship combined with targeted production funding can bridge the gap between a concept and an internationally recognized work.
How to Stay Updated on KESSA Opportunities
- Subscribe to KESSA’s monthly newsletter (link on archyde.com).
- Follow @KESSA_Residency on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for real‑time announcements.
- Join the “Emerging Storytellers” Facebook group moderated by KESSA staff for peer feedback and networking.
