AI Creative Education Accelerator
A fully funded partnership between the Akuna Group and Google, training one thousand African creators in AI powered storytelling across Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and South Africa. Curriculum delivered by Curious Refuge, mentorship through Akuna's creative ecosystem, and a funded pathway from training to production and global distribution.
Africa is the world's youngest creative base. The tools to tell its stories at scale have arrived. The question is who shapes them.
Africa holds 17% of the world's population, yet fewer than 3% of its stories reach global platforms. 1.4 billion people, 70% under 30: the youngest creative base on earth, home to 26% of the global workforce by 2050.
or less per month is what 6 in 10 African creators currently earn (Africa Creator Economy Report 2.0, 2026). Skills, capital and distribution close that gap.
the sector's untapped growth. Africa's film industry employs 5 million people and generates $5 billion, but could create 20 million jobs and $20 billion in revenue (UNESCO, 2021).
Five stages carry every participant from an open, merit based call through to a funded, distributed production. Twelve weeks of live online learning by Curious Refuge sit at its heart.
Open, merit based selection managed by Akuna. Specialists welcomed, not a discovery programme: for those already pointing in the right direction. Minimum 35% female participation built in from design.
Curious Refuge delivers the AI filmmaking curriculum entirely online at a 12 week cohort pace: 30% core AI skills, 70% specialism specific education. Weekly Akuna facilitation supports wellbeing and access.
Weekly check ins, in person and online. Specialist teams form, gain access to Akuna Stage and Google AI tools, and shape projects to pitch readiness. Curious Refuge alumni mentor; IP clinic included.
All graduates pitch on Akuna Stage. Projects are assessed by Akuna and Google against jointly agreed criteria; one winning project per specialism is funded, with agreements papered by Akuna.
Funded works enter a Google platform window (YouTube and Google TV), then festivals and international showcases. All graduates keep an Akuna Stage profile, alumni network and future eligibility. Creators retain IP.
Every participant completes a shared foundation in AI filmmaking, then specialises in one of four pathways. Pathway preference is stated at application; the selection panel confirms placement before the academy begins.
You will choose a preferred pathway when you apply. Every participant begins with the same foundation, then specialises.
Narrative filmmaking and scripted storytelling, from short film to series.
Real world stories, factual storytelling and documentary filmmaking.
Animated storytelling, motion design and visual world building.
Branded storytelling, commercial content and creative campaigns.
Your preference guides but does not guarantee placement. The selection panel confirms the best pathway with you before the academy begins.
This programme is for aspiring and emerging creators who are serious about their craft. Filmmakers, screenwriters, content creators, photographers, animators, designers, editors, visual artists and storytellers of every discipline are welcome.
You do not need professional experience in AI. You do need a body of creative work, however modest, that shows your talent and your commitment, and the hunger to build a pioneering skill set at an advanced level.
The online academy runs two intakes across all five markets together, each following the same arc, a year apart, from August 2026. One open call per intake: applications from all five countries open on the same day and close on the same day.
All five markets launch together. Ghana runs first as the pilot, with the other four following in step through the same programme arc.
The full arc repeats a year on, carrying forward the lessons, mentors and alumni network built in the first intake.
Prepare these before you begin. You can save a draft and return at any time before the closing date.
Name, age, gender, contact information, country and city of residence.
Fiction, Documentary, Animation or Advertising.
A film, photo series, script, animation or design portfolio. Shared as a link or upload. It does not need to involve AI.
Up to 250 words. Why you want to join and what excites you about AI storytelling.
60 to 90 seconds, recorded for this application. We assess authenticity and passion, never production quality. A phone camera is perfectly fine.
Confirmation that you meet the technical requirements and can participate fully, and your consent to how the programme uses your application information and captures programme moments, such as behind the scenes content, explained in plain language before you agree.
Impact is measured on three levels, with data collected at recruitment, training, mentorship, showcase and beyond.
Whether the programme reached, recruited, retained and supported participants across all five markets.
Growth in skills, confidence, and creative and professional progression through the programme.
Sustained collaboration and economic opportunity that continues beyond the training itself.
Targets across the full programme, pending final partner confirmation.
Programme meetings between the Akuna senior team and the project team to review progress, delivery and emerging risks.
Coordination with Google and Curious Refuge, with formal quarterly reports to Google on progress, recruitment, delivery and learning.
A live risk register maintained by the Programme Lead and reported quarterly, covering recruitment, delivery, technology and IP.
Yes. There is no application fee and no tuition. The programme is fully funded by the partnership between the Akuna Group and Google.
No. Curiosity and a willingness to learn matter far more. The curriculum begins with a shared foundation in AI filmmaking before you specialise.
Yes. You will submit one example of your best work in any creative discipline. It does not need to be recent, long or professionally produced, and it does not need to involve AI.
The twelve week academy is delivered online by Curious Refuge. In person workshops, mentorship and community events run through Akuna's creative ecosystem and partner institutions during the programme year.
Graduates enter a mentorship and development phase, form teams and prepare projects, then pitch on Akuna Stage. One winning project per specialism is funded, and creators retain their IP.
A small number by design: one winning project per specialism, per intake, selected jointly by Akuna and Google against agreed criteria. Every graduate, funded or not, completes with certification, months of world class training and mentorship, an Akuna Stage profile, the alumni network and eligibility for future opportunities. We would rather tell you the odds honestly now than surprise you at pitch stage.
You do. Creators retain the IP in their work throughout the programme. Funded projects sign a clear agreement before any funding moves, covering production support and a distribution window on Google platforms, and the mentorship phase includes an IP clinic so you understand every line before you pitch.
Your application information is used for selection and programme delivery only, handled under the programme's privacy notice [pending legal, 31 July], which will be published on this site before applications open.
This intake is open to residents of Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and South Africa only. A second intake follows a year later, so follow our channels for future announcements.
A partnership between the Akuna Group and Google, with curriculum delivered by Curious Refuge and supported by leading creative institutions in each country. Free to apply. Free to attend.
GOOGLE · logo, pending brand sign-off
CURIOUS REFUGE · logo
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS · per market, pending [7 Aug]
Free to apply. Free to attend. Open [27 July] in all five countries.
Apply now