Submit your entry now for the Paradigm Initiative’s short film competition for Young Africans

Young Africans can now participate in the Paradigm Initiative’s short film competition for Young Africans   and potentially win a total of $3,000. The contest, called “Fill in the Gap,” is organized by Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a non-profit organization that links underserved Africans with digital opportunities and ensures digital rights for all.

Eligibility for the Paradigm Initiative’s Fill in the Gap short film competition for Young Africans

1. Ages 18-30 are eligible to participate by watching the organization’s Fourth Short Film – Undersight, which premiered in May 2024 and is currently available on PIN’s YouTube Channel.
2. Participants are required to create scenarios they would have liked to see based on the movie’s plot/story.
3. This competition provides young viewers with the opportunity to showcase their creativity while vying for a chance to contribute to the development of PIN’s 5th Short Film.

Prizes for the Paradigm Initiative’s Fill in the Gap short film competition for Young Africans

1. There are three prizes up for grabs,
2. The winner receiving $1,200,
3. The 2nd Runners-Up receiving $1,000,
4. The 3rd Runners-Up receiving $800.
5. The three winners will automatically become part of a shortlist that will give them the opportunity to develop synopses and scripts for the organization’s 5th Short Film based on the Londa 2023 Report.
6. The overall winner will then collaborate with the vendor PIN has selected to produce the organization’s 5th Short Film.
7. If none of the three winners from the ‘Fill in the Gap’ Competition develops a winning synopsis and script, their participation in the competition will come to an end.

Paradigm Initiative Films

Paradigm Initiative has been producing short films based on the Londa reports for four consecutive years, shedding light on the state of digital rights and inclusion in Africa. The latest addition to PIN’s collection is The Fourth Short Film, which draws inspiration from the 2022 Londa Report and follows the story of Omar, a talented computer programmer. This film showcases his creation of groundbreaking data collation software, which quickly gains widespread attention.

Other films released by the organization include Training Day, Focus, and Finding Diana. Training Day, the first in the series, is based on the 2019 Digital Rights in Africa report and centers around Jude’s unexpected challenges on his first day at a tech firm. Focus, on the other hand, tells the story of Mark, a young man working for a company facilitating financial transactions across Africa. This film, inspired by the 2020 Londa report, highlights the impact of internet shutdowns, censorship, surveillance, and cyberattacks on individuals and the importance of advocating for others.

Based on the Londa 2021 report, Finding Diana follows the story of Aisha Cooker, a 28-year-old journalist who accidentally discovers a database containing personal information of millions of citizens, including a governor she is investigating. In her pursuit of a more just society, Aisha exposes the corrupt official, risking her own life in the process.

PIN’s short films have been showcased at various events and platforms, garnering significant feedback from audiences who appreciate their creativity, relevance, and impact. These films have also been honored with numerous awards, including the most recent Bronze recognition for Finding Diana at the 2023 Summit Creative Awards.

Howto enter the competition – Paradigm Initiative’s Fill in the Gap short film competition for Young Africans

1. Ages 18-30 are eligible to participate
2. Watch the organization’s Fourth Short Film – Undersight, which premiered in May 2024 and is currently available on PIN’s YouTube Channel.
3. Participants are required to ‘Fill in the Gap’ by creating scenarios they would have liked to see based on the movie’s plot/story.
4. This competition provides young viewers with the opportunity to showcase their creativity while vying for a chance to contribute to the development of PIN’s 5th Short Film.