Melanin Unscripted and Cervical Cancer Free Nigeria Campaign Announce $10,000 Film Grant to Tackle Cervical Cancer
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Melanin Unscripted and The Cervical Cancer Free Nigeria Campaign have officially unveiled a film grant worth $10,000. This grant is designed to empower Nigerian filmmakers to create impactful and informative films addressing the critical issue of cervical cancer as part of the Rise in Light campaign.
The initiative, known as the "Storytellers For Change Grant," marks an exciting opportunity for filmmakers to employ their creative talents to drive awareness and change on a pressing public health concern. Amarachi Nwosu, CEO of Melanin Unscripted and an accomplished filmmaker, expresses her enthusiasm for the project.
In a statement made available to Document Women, she said:
"Storytellers for Change is a visionary initiative dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and stories, serving as a catalyst for diverse narratives and empowering creators from all backgrounds. Our long-term goal is to create an equitable and representative landscape where every talent is celebrated. We aim to shine a light on powerful storytellers and impactful stories, beginning with our focus on cervical cancer awareness as the first of many impact initiatives."
Cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in Nigeria and the 2nd most frequent among women between 15 and 44 years of age. With 17,000 cases and 11,000 deaths, Cervical cancer remains a significant health challenge in Nigeria, despite being largely preventable.
The project seeks to identify a compelling narrative that sheds light on cervical cancer while offering the selected filmmaker an opportunity to collaborate with a distinguished panel of judges. Judges include Emmy-nominated investigative journalist, filmmaker, and Founder of Document Women, Kiki Mordi, Ozi Menakaya: Film & TV Agent at CAA, Amarachi Nwosu: award-winning filmmaker and CEO of Melanin Unscripted and Tunde Onakoya: Social Entrepreneur and founder of Chess in Slums, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering underprivileged children in Africa.
Several prominent organizations have joined this initiative as partners, including Global Oncology, UN Global Goals, Document Women, Family Inc., and LLandB.
Applications for the grant will open on Thursday, September 14, 2023, and close on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Interested filmmakers are encouraged to visit riseinlight.org to learn more about the application process and how they can contribute to the fight against cervical cancer through the power of storytelling.