Akuna Learning opens free AI filmmaking programme for Kenyan creators

Creators living in Kenya can now apply for a free AI filmmaking programme run by Akuna Learning, part of The Akuna Group, which is chaired by Sir Idris Elba. The deadline is 15 November 2026, so the window is short.

What happened: Akuna Learning opens applications

According to the TechArena Kenya report, Akuna Learning has opened applications for From Script to Screen with AI. The programme is delivered with Google, backed by US$1 million in funding from Google.org, and uses a curriculum developed by Curious Refuge. It is open to aspiring filmmakers in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and South Africa.

Applications are made online at akunalearning.com. The programme is free to apply for and, for those selected, free to attend.

What is confirmed, and what is not yet known

The following details come from the announcement as reported, so they are the organisers' statements.

• Dates: the application window runs from 26 October to 15 November 2026. The report says applications are open "now" on 27 October, which is consistent with a 26 October start. The wider selection stage is listed as October 2026 to January 2027, which covers review time and not the application window.
• Structure: a twelve-week online academy from February to April 2027, with weekly facilitation, in-person meet-ups in every country and certification at the end.
• Pathways: after a foundation course in AI filmmaking, participants choose one of five: fiction, documentary, animation, advertising or screenwriting.
• Funding: shortlisted idea owners build teams, spend four weeks with mentors, then pitch to panels from Akuna, Google and the wider industry. Selected projects are funded and films are showcased in October 2027.
• Ownership: the organisers say creators keep control of their work, with no ownership claim by the programme or its partners.

Not yet known: how many people will be selected for the academy, how many projects will receive funding, how large each production grant is, how many places Kenya will get, and the detailed legal terms. The source does not give these numbers.

Who can apply

The organisers set these requirements:

• Physically live in one of the five countries.
• Be 18 or older on the application date.
• Have a laptop, reliable internet and consistent power for the whole programme.
• Be able to commit fully to the twelve-week academy from February to April 2027, and to later stages if you progress.

The programme targets filmmakers, screenwriters, animators, advertisers, digital content creators, photographers, designers, editors and visual artists. No AI experience, film school qualification or minimum years in the industry is required. Applicants should include existing creative work, however modest. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Why it matters

Access to structured training in AI video tools, plus a route to funding, is uncommon for creators outside the big production hubs. The programme also links training to mentoring, pitching and production, which goes beyond a certificate. The CEO, Khaled Gad, said in the announcement that training on its own does not build an industry and that creators need a route from classroom to screen.

The organisers also state that no film school background is needed. Whether that holds in practice will show in who is selected.

What this means for Kenyan creatives and businesses

Kenya is one of five countries sharing one open call, with review panels in each country and a final panel looking across all five. That suggests applicants will be competing locally first, but the source does not say whether places are allocated per country. It is realistic to expect strong competition, given how broad the eligible groups are, from photographers to editors to advertising creatives.

Our reading, not a sourced fact: the pitching stage seems likely to favour clear ideas and finished teams, so applicants with a visible portfolio and a one-page concept in mind may be better placed. Selection criteria have not been published in the report, so treat this as a preparation tip and not a prediction.

The announcement covers individual applicants only. It does not set out any role for employers, so a business should not assume it can nominate staff or that the programme suits company-sponsored attendance. If an employee or freelancer wants to apply, check the terms and their time availability first.

Practical next steps

1. Confirm the details at the source. Read the full terms at akunalearning.com before applying, especially the rules on rights, funding and team formation. The statement that creators "maintain control" of their work should be checked against the final terms and conditions.
2. Gather your existing creative work. The organisers ask for work that shows talent and commitment, however modest. Choose pieces that show range and your chosen pathway.
3. Check your availability. The academy requires full commitment from February to April 2027, plus a laptop, reliable internet and consistent power.
4. Decide your pathway. Advertising and animation may suit agency creatives, but the choice is yours. Think about which one your portfolio supports.
5. Apply before 15 November 2026. If something is unclear, contact Akuna through the official site and not through third-party posts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the programme really free?

The announcement says it is free to apply and, for those selected, free to attend.

Do I need AI experience?

No. The organisers say AI experience, a film school qualification or a set number of years in the industry are not required.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on 15 November 2026.

Sources

• Idris Elba-Backed AI Filmmaking Programme Opens Applications - TechArena, TechArena Kenya, 27 Oct 2026

Written by the Nimus Newsroom with AI assistance from the sources above, and checked against them before publishing. Spotted an error? Tell us through the contact page and we will correct it.