Filmmakers and visual storytellers living in Ghana have until November 15, 2026, to apply for a free AI film programme from Idris Elba’s Akuna Group and Google. From Script to Screen with AI combines training with mentorship and an opportunity to compete for production funding.
The initiative is supported by US$1 million from Google.org, according to Google’s announcement. That funding supports the programme overall. Individual applicants are not being offered a US$1 million grant.
For Ghanaian creators, the immediate task is to prepare an application that demonstrates existing creative ability. Previous AI experience is not required.
Who can apply for the AI film programme?
The call covers people physically resident in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone or South Africa. Applicants must be at least 18 on the application date and have access to a laptop, reliable internet and consistent electricity.
Eligibility extends beyond directors. Akuna welcomes screenwriters, photographers, editors, animators, designers, content creators and visual artists. Applicants need a body of work that shows their talent and commitment, even if it is modest.
The application guidance asks creators to identify their current area of expertise and choose a preferred pathway. The five options are fiction, documentary, animation, advertising and screenwriting.
Residency is important. A Ghanaian living outside the five participating countries should not assume that nationality alone makes them eligible for this intake.
What applicants need to prepare
Akuna asks for personal and contact details, a CV or professional profile, proof of identity and one example of the applicant’s best creative work. This could be a film, photo series, screenplay, animation or design portfolio.
Film and other moving-image samples can run for up to three minutes. The work does not need to use AI.
Applicants must also provide a personal statement of up to 250 words explaining why they want to join and what interests them about AI storytelling. A separate introduction video should last 60 to 90 seconds and describe a story they would like to explore.
A phone recording is acceptable. Akuna says the introduction is assessed for authenticity and passion, not production quality.
Creators apply individually. They do not need to assemble a production team before submitting, since teams form later around shortlisted ideas.
Check the current start date
Akuna’s programme calendar lists January 25, 2027, as the academy kickoff. Its FAQ gives the training period as January 25 to April 18.
That differs from Google’s October 28 announcement, which says the first cohort begins in February. Applicants should plan around Akuna’s more detailed current schedule and confirm availability requirements through the organizer.
The calendar lists December 14, 2026, for offers and onboarding. Training is online, with some opportunities to meet in person. The wider journey extends beyond the academy into team formation, mentoring, pitching and production for selected projects.
Applicants should therefore consider both the initial training commitment and their availability for later stages. This is more than a short introductory webinar.
Training first, production funding later
Curious Refuge provides the filmmaking curriculum, while Akuna Learning supplies tailored mentorship. Participants begin with a shared foundation before specializing.
Google describes training across screenwriting, world-building, animation and digital production workflows. Its announcement also outlines portfolio reviews and contact with mentors, creative technologists and Google teams.
The organizer’s FAQ explains that graduates can submit one-page ideas. Shortlisted idea owners then build teams and prepare pitches with support from mentors.
Funding is competitive. Completing the academy does not guarantee a place on a production team or financial support for a film. Akuna says a select few projects receive funding following panel assessment.
Creators retain their intellectual property, according to the programme. Funded teams must nevertheless sign an agreement before money is released, covering production support and distribution arrangements. Applicants should read those terms carefully when they become relevant.
Analysis: useful tools still need editorial judgement
For documentary makers, one of the more relevant elements is the programme’s treatment of generated material. The documentary pathway covers research, visual planning, historical reconstruction, translation and participant protection.
It specifically addresses keeping reconstructed material distinguishable from recorded evidence. That distinction matters when a film presents real people, places and events.
For example, an illustrative reconstruction of an event should not be presented as footage recorded at the time. AI assistance can support a filmmaker’s process, but the filmmaker remains responsible for the story’s claims and how viewers understand its images.
For Ghanaian applicants, a strong starting point is a story they understand well and a portfolio sample that demonstrates how they tell it. The introduction video can then explain what they want to develop through the training.
Apply before November 15
Applications are free, and selected participants pay no tuition. However, applicants must still meet the laptop, connectivity and power requirements.
The official deadline is November 15, 2026. Akuna’s public application and calendar pages do not specify a closing time or timezone, so applicants should submit early.
Start with Akuna Learning’s application page and follow its Apply Now link to the submission portal. Prepare the work sample, statement and introduction video before starting the form. Check that portfolio links open correctly and that reviewers can access any files you share.
Related coverage: Our earlier report on Google and Idris Elba’s creative AI partnership.
