… Africa No Filter Comedy Lab funding comedians with over 3 000 social media following combined
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE- An opportunity of a lifetime has presented itself for emaSwati comedians.
Through Africa, No Filter Lab, emaSwati comedians stand a chance to be funder US$3 000 (E54 300) to continue telling the African story through humour and jokes.
A communiqué published by the Africa No Filter (ANF) Comedy Lab revealed that they were looking for talented African comedians to develop fresh and unfiltered content about Africa.
“We are looking for funny, unique content that changes how the world sees your “community, country or the continent. Comedians who join the ANF Comedy Lab will get grants of up to $3 000 to create new 10-minute skits.
“Comedians will also be supported to take their storytelling to the next level through master classes and mentorship. They’ll also get marketing support to amplify their skits. Skits created through the ANF Comedy Lab will also have a digital showcase,” detailed the communiqué.
The ANF Comedy Lab also informed the public that to get a chance at this opportunity, comedians needed to create one comedy skit that was between 45 seconds and one minute long and post it on their Facebook page, Instagram or TikTok.
“You must tag @Africanofilter and use the hashtags #ANFComedyLab and #BetterRepresentation. The skit should carry a powerful storyline that positively portrays an African country or Africa or challenge pre-existing African stereotypical narratives in a funny, ground-breaking, and engaging way.”
After creating your skit, comedians are expected to submit an online application on ANF’s website, making sure they included links to their skits.
The content is expected to be delivered in English or French.
“Winners will be selected on the quality of content, comedic delivery, relevance to ANF’s mission of telling African stories beyond stereotypes, and audience engagement across social media,” read the communiqué.
When sought for comment, Larry Mhlanga, who is largely known for hosting comedy shows and managing comedians with the likes of Mduduzi ‘Mdura’ Dlamini, encouraged local comedians to enter the competitions.
“These are the platforms that are life changing and I encourage comedians to enter. The eligibility is very open and lax and winning may not be impossible,” said Mhlanga.
He further said this was the best platform for comedians to tell the Eswatini story.
For more information, people click on this link http://africanofilter.org/ANF-Comedy-Lab.
Eligibility:
- Open to African comedians aged over 18 and based anywhere on the continent.
- Comedians must have a combined audience of minimum 3 000 followers on Instagram, their Facebook page and TikTok.
- Only individual comedians can apply.
- The comedian must be unsigned (not represented by an agent or management company).
- All forms of comedy are welcomed (stand-up, music, sketch, etc.) as long as they are delivered in a digital format and are completely original, innovative and exciting.
