Video Game category is now open to all prototypes/concepts of video games for any type of device
The second phase of the Digital Lab Africa (DLA) call for applications is now open after a successful first phase for animation and immersive experience categories. The focus of this phase is on Video Games. The destabilising impact of the pandemic on the music and digital art sectors has been such that the inclusion of these two categories has been set to resume in 2022.
Applications for the Video Game category opened on 11 June and will close on 11 July 2021.
In 2020, DLA received more than 500 applications from over 32 countries. For its fifth edition, Digital Lab Africa has switched to a fully online format. The online incubation which will take place between September 2021 and March 2022 is enabled by our partners, Plaine Images, Play in Lab, Africa Games Week, Maliyo Games and Plug in Digital. The incubation will include expert mentorship, playtest and marketing workshops, masterclasses, participation in Demo Day pitches and Industry related events.
WHO CAN APPLY: The DLA#5 call for application is open to anyone from the field of digital content creation: artists, producers, designers, start-ups, SMEs, collectives, students or entrepreneurs, living in or native of a Sub-Saharan African country. The Video Game category is open to all prototypes/concepts of video games for any type of device (smartphone, computer, console etc.). Video game projects with creative storytelling/experience and using innovative technologies will be considered first. All types of games are accepted: casual games, adventure, platform, social gaming, strategy, e-sport etc.
TO APPLY, VISIT: http://digilabafrica.com/submit-a-project/
1. Complete and submit the online form directly from this link: https://forms.gle/TwQkvT45BpY4c9ez9
2. Send your application documents by email to: applications@digilabafrica.com
Application deadline for the 2nd phase: 11 July 2021
While not available this year at DLA, music and digital art will remain a key feature at the Fak’ugesi Digital innovation Festival. Stay on the lookout for 2021 Fak’ugesi programme announcement on the 22 June which will also be published on the Fak’ugesi website at: www.fakugesi.co.za
Ends.
About Digital Lab Africa
Created in 2016, Digital Lab Africa is an initiative of the French Institute and the French Embassy in South Africa, managed by the South African innovation hub Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct since 2018. Digital Lab Africa (DLA) is the first platform dedicated to creative content (immersive experience, video game, animation, music, digital art) linked with innovation in Africa. The very idea of DLA is to incubate emerging talent by offering them a springboard to fast track their projects development with the support and expertise of DLA creative industries ecosystem in France and in Sub-Saharan African countries.
Since the beginning of the programme, 36 projects from Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia have been awarded and incubated by DLA.
More about DLA#1 winners
More about DLA#2 winners
More about DLA#3 winners
More about DLA#4 winners
ABOUT TSHIMOLOGONG DIGITAL INNOVATION PRECINCT AND THE DIGITAL CONTENT HUB (DCH):
Founded in September of 2016, as a Wits University investment in the tech and digital future of South Africa and the continent, Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct works with academia, corporates, international agencies and government across all spheres to unearth, upskill and promote digital talent. Tshimologong Precinct focusses its efforts in three areas: incubation of enterprises, digital skills training and creating a marketplace for start-ups.
Driven by common goals, including the desire to combine technology, innovation and creative content, Tshimologong and the French Embassy in South Africa have joined forces to create a Digital Content Hub (DCH) – and integrate and sustain the existing Digital Lab Africa Programme – the first support programming for the production of digital content across sub-Saharan Africa initiated in 2016 by the French Embassy in South Africa. The DCH is the first project from cultural industries in Africa to have obtained funding from the Agence française de développement (AFD) since the extension of their mandate to these sectors.
