Digital Lab Africa

Application Deadline: March 1st 2020

The Digital Lab Africa call for projects targets artists, producers, designers, start-ups, students in the media and creative industries. The call is open to anyone from Sub-Saharan Africa having an innovative project in 5 categories: digital art, immersive realities, video game, animation  and music.

DLA is looking for projects at initial stage of development, innovative in terms of narration, content or technologies.

Selected applicants are granted with a Digital Lab Africa Incubation Pass (as per the category) to fast track the development of their respective project.

Each of DLA#4 cohort members are mentored by both French and African experts to benefit from the expertise of several ecosystems. Alongside the DLA mentorship program, the cohort has the opportunity to be immersed in those ecosystems thanks to residency programs and learning expeditions within digital clusters and participation at benchmark industry events in France or in Sub-Saharan African region.
• Mentorship, training & coaching by French and Sub-Saharan African industry key players
• Residency period / Learning expedition in France or in Sub-Saharan African countries within a creative cluster/hub
• Participation at industry events in France and in the Sub-Saharan African region

[Music] Application files

• Pitch deck / Presentation document of your activity (PDF, PowerPoint or Word)
• A short video pitch [2 to 3 min] explaining your activity and why you want to be part of the DLA Mentorship & Incubation program. Watch video pitch by previous edition applicants
• A cover letter explaining why you want to take part in the DLA programme
• A resume/curriculum vitae of the applicant and description of the company represented
• A picture (.jpeg) of the applicant

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[Digital Art] Application files

• Brief artist bio and statement describing your practice
• Portfolio
• Statement of intent what will you do during the residency (Heritage & Technology focus)
• A short video pitch [2 to 3 min] explaining your practice and why you want to be part of the DLA residency at Cité. Watch video pitch by previous edition applicants
• A picture (.jpeg) of the applicant

ANIMATION

Description

The Animation category is open to all content which mainly use animation technics (2D, 3D, paper, film, sand, modelling clay, painting, figurine etc.) The project may be intended for cinema, television or any type of connected devices. Accepted formats: short & features films, TV formats & series, web & interactive. New or hybrid formats : artistic installation, virtual reality, transmedia, video mapping, TV series or TV special, animated documentary… are accepted. Projects at the stage of research, pre-development or writing (scenario, graphism, music…) are accepted.

Incubation Pass 1

• [RESIDENCY] Four-week residency at Ciclic Animation including training and coaching by animation industry experts (between September and November 2020)
• [EVENT] Learning expedition at Annecy International Animation Festival (from 15^th to 20^th, June 2020)
• [EVENT & TRAINING] DLA Bootcamp X Fak’ugesi with the whole DLA#4 cohort (September 2020)

Incubation Pass 2

• [EVENT] Learning expedition at Annecy International Animation Festival (from 15^th to 20^th, June 2020)
• [MENTORSHIP & TRAINING] One-week of training and B2B meetings after Annecy festival from 22nd to 28^th of June
• [EVENT & TRAINING] DLA Bootcamp X Fak’ugesi with the whole DLA#4 cohort (September 2020)

Selected participants will get:

• Return economy international travel and local transport
• Accommodation for the stay in France and in South Africa
• Per diems rates at approx. 30 Euros per day (482 rands)
• Accreditation for both Mifa Market and Fak’ugesi events

IMMERSIVE REALITIES

Description

The XR category is open to any content offering an immersive experience to the audience, on any type of device (computer, smartphone, headset..), using immersive technologies (360°, virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, 3D interactions… ) Examples: VR documentary experience, virtual museum visit, immersive video game…

Incubation Pass

• [EVENT] Learning expedition and B2B meetings at NewImages (Paris) from 10th to 14^th June 2020
• [RESIDENCY & TRAINING] One week XR training & coaching by Ina from 15^th October to 21^st June 2020
• [EVENT & TRAINING] DLA Bootcamp X Fak’ugesi with the whole DLA#4 cohort (September 2020)

Selected participant will get:

• Return economy international travel and local transport
• Accommodation for the stay in France and in South Africa
• Per diems rates at approx. 30 Euros per day (482 rands)
• Accreditation for NewImages & Fak’ugesi events

VIDEO GAME

Description

The Video Game category is open to all prototypes/concepts of video game for any type of device (smartphone, computer, console etc..). Video game projects with creative storytelling/experience and using innovative technologies will be considered first. All type of games are accepted: casual games, adventure, platform, social gaming, strategy, e-sport etc.

Incubation Pass

• [EVENT] Learning expedition at Game Connection (B2B) and Paris Games Week (B2C) from 19th to 25^th October 2020
• [RESIDENCY & TRAINING] One-to-two-week immersive residency including training and coaching at Plaine Images incubator from 26^th October to 8^th November 2020
• [EVENT & TRAINING] DLA Bootcamp X Fak’ugesi with the whole DLA#4 cohort (September 2020)

Selected participant will get:

• Workspace
• Return economy international travel and local transport
• Accommodation for the stay in France and in South Africa
• Per diems rates at approx. 30 Euros per day (482 rands)
• Accreditation for Game Connection, Paris Games Week & Fak’ugesi events

DIGITAL ART

Description

The digital art category is open to any project/artwork focusing on Heritage and Technology – how do we engage, preserve and share African heritage through digital creativity? Artists exploring boundaries between art and technology, practitioners in the fields across a variety of fields from contemporary art, game design, interactive design and creative computing are encouraged to apply.

Incubation Pass

• [EVENT & TRAINING] DLA Bootcamp X Fak’ugesi with the whole DLA#4 cohort (September 2020). Opportunity to talk and/or exhibit your work during the festival
• [RESIDENCY & TRAINING] 6-to 8-week-residency at la Cité internationale des arts (France) including mentorship, training and artistic advice in September/October 2020
• [NETWORKING & EVENTS] meet with international artist community in Paris

Founded in 1965, Cité internationale des arts is today the largest artist residency center in the world: 22,000 artists have been hosted in residence since its creation. Its ideal location in the heart of Paris is an added value for artists to interact with the cultural scene of the French capital, and it makes Cité an important hub in the cultural landscape of Paris and internationally. At the Cité internationale des arts the DLA resident will get artistic advice, networking with other residents, meeting with French experts, showcase of his/her work…

Selected participant will get:

• Workspace and studio at Cité internationale des arts
• Return economy international travel and local transport for both the stay in France and in South Africa
• Accommodation for both the stay in France and in South Africa
• Per diems rates at approx. 30 Euros per day (482 rands)

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MUSIC

Description

The music category is open to any entrepreneurs in the music industry (booker, artist managers, producers, festival programmer, concert venue or club manager…). Objective of the incubation programme at Hôtel 71 is to support structures in the music distribution sector (festivals, venues, tour producers, event planner) and provide them with all the tools and knowledge to understand the entire value chain of the music industry.

Incubation Pass

• [RESIDENCY & TRAINING] Three-week-residency at Hôtel 71 by Arty Farty (France) including mentorship, training and coaching from 19^th May to 7^th June 2020
• [EVENTS & NETWORKING] Participation at Les Nuits Sonores and European Lab event (France)
• [EVENT & TRAINING] DLA Bootcamp X Fak’ugesi with the whole DLA#4 cohort (September 2020)

Selected participant will get:

• Workspace
• Return economy international travel and local transport
• Accommodation for the stay in France and in South Africa
• Per diems rates at approx. 30 Euros per day (482 rands)
• Accreditation for Les Nuits Sonores, European Lab & Fak’ugesi events

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Digital Lab Africa 2020