The Script to Market: An International Film Residency is an advanced film accelerator programme: a selective training and development initiative designed to strengthen Uganda’s film ecosystem by directly linking project development, market access, and financing. It is part of the CREATE: Enhancing Skills and Enabling Financial Inclusion for Young Women in the Creative Economy project. This three-year initiative supports young women across multiple creative subsectors and value chain segments by strengthening skills, market access, and financial inclusion. The programme is implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and a consortium of partners. 

The programme places a strong emphasis on women’s participation and leadership, ensuring that women filmmakers and producers aged 18 - 35 are actively supported to lead projects, build businesses, and access international markets, including through an inclusive application and participation approach that seeks to reduce barriers for diverse applicants. Women filmmakers are especially encouraged to apply. Male applicants may be considered in exceptional cases, particularly when they are part of teams that are predominantly women-led and clearly contribute to advancing women’s participation and leadership within the project. 

Funding Opportunity for Standout Projects 

Standout projects will have the opportunity to receive $3,000 grants by presenting their film idea at a one-day pitching event connecting them to industry professionals. By the end of the programme, each participant will leave with a fully developed, professionally packaged project ready for international markets. 

The cohort of selected filmmaking teams progresses through three integrated components:

1. Development Lab – Online residency on Project Development & Packaging

• A structured lab supporting 30 projects to become market-ready 
• 14 weeks virtual residency (approximately ~24 hours per week for a total of about 300 hours) 

2. In Person Residency & Script to Market Industry Forum 

• A one-day curated Script to Market Industry Forum where projects pitch directly to funders, distributors, broadcasters, and co-producers 
• 3 days in-person residency in Kampala including the Script to Market industry Forum (transport & accommodation covered) 

3. Production Lab – Proof of Concept Funding 

• Seed funding and mentorship to produce professional Proof of Concept content for the strongest projects (6 weeks) 

The program supports projects currently in development, intended for the professional market. This residency is designed for filmmakers who already have a treatment ready to develop into a market-ready project. Early drafts are welcome. We are interested in the strength of the idea and the filmmaker’s readiness to develop it, rather than the level of polish at application stage. Applicants are invited to submit feature-length films in the following genres: horror, fantasy, thriller, and action. Short films and other formats are not eligible. 

Applicants must apply with one project concept they intend to develop during the program.

Participants will receive: 

• Story development support 
• Mentorship from industry professionals 
• Practical tools for budgeting, financing, and co-production 
• Guidance on navigating regional and international markets 
• Post-residency project planning 
• An opportunity to pitch their project to potential partners and financiers.

Eligibility & Selection 

Applicants will be evaluated based on: 

• Creative voice and originality 
• Strength and potential of the proposed project 
• Professional readiness and commitment 
• Alignment with the goals of the program 
• Professional readiness, commitment, and ability to collaborate effectively in a respectful learning environment 

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email for a selection interview. The interview process will require watching assigned films and developing a character bible. 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 

Film is a collaborative art form and applicants are encouraged to apply with a proposed team in mind, particularly for sessions that may require team attendance. 

• Minimum team size:8 people 
• Funded projects are expected to be women-led and to demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing women’s participation across the team. Priority will be given to teams where women hold key creative and leadership roles (director, writer, or producer). Male participants may be included in exceptional cases where they add clear value and the overall team composition remains predominantly female. 

Final crew composition will be confirmed during the residency, however applicants must demonstrate a clear commitment to meeting these requirements from the beginning. 

The Advanced Film Accelerator program is a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and delivered by the International Trade Centre. 

For any inquiries or assistance, including support related to access needs during the application process, please contact our support team at youthandtrade@intracen.org.

Link to Application Guidelines

⚠️  IMPORTANT — Consistency of Personal Information

Throughout this programme, you will be asked to complete several forms at different stages — from initial outreach registration through to your application, team application, and post-event follow-up survey. It is essential that you use exactly the same full name and date of birth on every single form.

Why does this matter?

Our system uses your name and date of birth to identify you across all stages of the programme. If the information you provide does not match from one form to the next, the system will not be able to link your records correctly. This could affect your eligibility, delay your application, or result in your progress not being recognised.

Consistent data entry is also required for the validity of the programme records and to ensure that all participants are accurately tracked and accounted for.

What you must do:

• Use your full legal name exactly as you first registered it — do not use nicknames, abbreviations, or alternative spellings.
• Enter your date of birth in the same format on every form.
• If you have already registered at a previous outreach session, please make sure you remember and use the same name and date of birth you provided at that time.
• This applies to all stages: outreach registration → application form → team application → follow-up / post-event survey.

If you are unsure which name or date of birth you used previously, please speak to a member of the registration team before completing your form.

Timeline

• Application Deadline: 9 August 2026 – 12am EAT 2026
• Shortlist Notification Date: Mid August 2026
• Pre-Lab preparation & Lab Start: Last week of August 2026

 

Application Consent Statement

By submitting this application, I confirm that the information provided is true and accurate. I grant the Organisation (ITC and Bayimba) permission to review and verify my details solely for the purpose of assessing my eligibility and selecting participants for the Uganda Creatives program.

I understand that if I am selected, I will be asked to provide a more detailed consent regarding the long-term use of my data for program tracking and impact evaluation.

Before you can submit this form, you need to verify your email address.
Enter your email address again in the above Email Validator field and click on Verify Email, then check your email for the verification code.

We would like to know if you are already working in the creative industry*.
Please select one of more of the options under "What is your work status".
Note that "work" can mean fully employed, partime employed, self employed or freelancer.

*creative industry:

In the context of this programme, the "creative industry" (often referred to as Culture and Creative Industries or CCI) is defined specifically by three core sub-sectors:

1. Fashion, Textile Design, and Artisanal Handicrafts: This includes tailoring, accessory making, and the production of home décor, jewelry, and beauty products.
2. Audiovisual and Digital Media: This encompasses film, photography, graphic design, content creation, radio, and TV production.
3. Performing arts and Theatre: This covers music, dance, acting, and event management.
4. Literature and Poetry: This covers creative writing, editing, publishing, book production, and poetry.

The programme recognizes a broad spectrum of economic activity within these sectors, ranging from freelance "Gig Creators" and informal "Invisible Creators" to formal "Bootstrapper" small businesses.

A Person with Disability (PwD) is generally defined as someone with a long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment that, when interacting with various societal or environmental barriers, hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

• Physical/mobility difficulties
• Vision impairment
• Hearing or speech difficulties
• Chronic pain
• Mental health conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety)

 

Disclaimer: This information is strictly confidential and will only be used to monitor program reach and ensure equitable access. It will not be shared with third parties or affect your eligibility

Important: Naming Convention for Uploaded Content 

Please name your uploaded files using the following format: 

Full Name - Document Type

Example: John Doe - Treatment , Jane Smith - Video Pitch , John Doe - Biography 

This will help us accurately identify and process your submission. Thank you!

Early drafts are welcome. We are interested in the strength of the idea and the filmmaker's readiness to develop it, rather than the level of polish at application stage.

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Please enter the title of your project below.

Note that we only accept original ideas created by you, or jointly by you and your development team.

Team Members & Consent:

If this is a group project, please list the full names of everyone who helped create it. By submitting, you confirm that all members are aware of this application, have agreed to enter this development program, and jointly own the intellectual property (IP) of the materials submitted.

Provide links to up to 2 relevant work samples (short films, features, series, or reels).

Please note any screenings, awards, or online viewing numbers (private and community screening can be included)

Disclaimer: 

Please confirm the gender breakdown of your proposed team (number of women members / total team members) for at least three key team members and their roles.

NOTE:- Teams should be predominantly composed of women, including the project lead. Male team members may be included in limited and well-justified cases, where their participation supports the project and contributes to strengthening women’s leadership within the team.

Submit a short video answering the following questions (max 2 minutes, shot on smartphone) if you anticipate any difficulty with this format, you may contact us by email to request guidance or appropriate alternative arrangements.

Note - By submitting your video, you consent to it being used for promotional purposes if you are selected for the programme. You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting youthandtrade@intracen.org. This may include highlighting your participation/selection and publication on the projects and partners’ websites, social media channels, and related materials.

Questions:

1. How would you describe yourself as a filmmaker? What key moments, lessons and turning points have shaped your career? 
2. What is your primary challenge as a filmmaker and how will this residency help you address it? 
3. How do you think this residency will impact your career as a professional filmmaker? What transformation in yourself do you want to see? 

If your video is taking too long to upload, the file may be too large. We recommend compressing it before uploading using a free tool like HandBrake (handbrake.fr)

ITC strongly values diversity and seeks fair representation from all regions of Uganda. Please be assured  that the information you provide is strictly confidential and intended for internal use only, including for  aggregate reporting, inclusion monitoring, and programme improvement. 

“I confirm that I am submitting this application of my own free will for the sole purpose of participating in the Film Accelerator Program, and that all information provided in this form is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge.” 

Link to Application Guidelines