TELL YOUR STORY (TYS) COHORT 2026

A Bold With Jo Initiative Program Overview 

Tell Your Story (TYS) is a 3-month intensive storytelling lab by Bold With Jo, designed for emerging African writers and directors ready to move from concept to a completed short film.

The lab provides structured digital training, mentorship, limited production funding, and distribution support to ensure each selected filmmaker develops and produces a 3 -18 minute, festival-driven arthouse short film.

Program Duration 

2026 Each cohort runs for 3 months

• First Cohort: March 1 – May 30

• Second Cohort: July 1 – Sept 30

Annual Structure

80 students maximum admitted per year

Divided into 2 cohorts of 40 filmmakers each

• Cohort 1: 40 filmmakers

• Cohort 2: 40 filmmakers

Eligibility & Representation

Open to African writers and directors

Format: No limitations - fiction, Doc, Experimental, Animation, AI, Hybrid, etc

Gender representation target:

• 60% Female

• 40% Male

This intentional structure ensures greater access and inclusion for women in film while maintaining diverse creative voices.

Cohort Structure Phase 1: Story Development (march)

• Digital learning Course (Training – 2 Weeks)

• Grouped mentorship (4 students to 1 mentor)

• Guided assignments and feedback

• Script and treatment development

Phase 2: Pre-Production & Production (April)

• Final script approval

• Grant disbursement (structured payments)

• Assigned production timelines

• Shooting period

Phase 3: Post-Production & Distribution (May)

• Final film delivery (3-18 minute arthouse short)

• Review & commendation session

• Festival positioning & distribution guidance for selected works

Film Focus 

• 3-18 minute arthouse short film

• Original work

• Festival-positioned

• Any genre (historical, fictional, experimental)