Trevor Noah, Rapman, and Mohamed Kordofani Among the First Recipients of the Next Narrative Africa Fund
The Next Narrative Africa Fund (NNAF) has announced its inaugural slate of development projects, showcasing a diverse range of productions involving notable figures such as Trevor Noah, Rapman, and Mohamed Kordofani. The NNAF selected these projects from over 2,000 global submissions, reflecting its commitment to amplifying African storytelling on a global stage.
Launched in late 2024 under the leadership of CEO Akunna Cook, the NNAF is backed by a $40 million commercial content fund, complemented by an additional $10 million from a non-profit venture studio. The primary mission of the NNAF is to reshape the world’s perceptions of Africa by industrializing African narratives and promoting content from both the continent and its diaspora.
On Thursday, Cook unveiled a slate of nine projects, including the South African action film Beyond Day Zero. This project is produced by Trevor Noah alongside Sanaz Yamin and Rebekah Cheyne for Day Zero Productions, and also involves Kevin Schmutzler, Toby Schmutzler, Stefan Brunner, Danielle Turkov Wilson, and Amy Shepherd, with Think-Film acting as the impact producer.
The screenplay for Beyond Day Zero is penned by award-winning South African writer Amy Jephta, based on an original story by the Schmutzler brothers, known for their 2025 Oscars submission, Nawi. The film’s logline describes a wealthy water tycoon’s daughter who unites with a gangster from the townships to challenge her father’s authority and dismantle societal divides.
Beyond Day Zero is one of two projects funded from South Africa, alongside Amanda Lane’s action drama Skunk. This film stars Thuso Mbedu, who also shares co-writing and producing responsibilities with Vee Mpakanyiswa and Megan Kruger. The narrative follows two fashion models orchestrating a heist to steal government gold jewelry in a bid to reclaim ancestral land.
Other noteworthy projects from the NNAF slate include Innocent, a Lagos-based mystery directed by Arie Esiri, co-written with his twin brother Chuko. The duo previously gained attention for their Berlinale-selected 2020 feature debut, This is My Desire. Their upcoming film, Clarissa, features an impressive cast including Sophie Okonedo and David Oyelowo.
The fund also has invested in an untitled political thriller set in Sierra Leone, which Rapman (Andrew Onwubolu) is set to co-write and direct. The story centers on a 25-year-old soldier unexpectedly elevated to power after a coup, facing the dangers of leadership.
Additional films supported by the NNAF include the Sudanese political thriller About Love & September Laws, directed by Kordofani, and the Ghanaian spy thriller United States of Africa, which explores the complexities of post-colonial governance amid external interference.
The overall financial footprint of the selected projects exceeds $60 million, highlighting the significant economic potential of African filmmaking. Cook emphasized that the NNAF is committed to creating world-class entertainment produced in Africa by top talent. “These projects are commercially compelling, culturally resonant, and globally relevant,” she stated.
The final selection of projects benefited from insights provided by Parrot Analytics, under a new partnership aimed at enhancing the decision-making process for future funding endeavors.
