Apply Now: Idris Elba and Google announce free 50-week AI film training

Akuna Learning, the education arm of Sir Idris Elba's multi-national venture The Akuna Group, has opened enrollment for a groundbreaking free 50-week AI film training program titled "From Script to Screen with AI." In partnership with tech giant Google and the AI filmmaking platform Curious Refuge, the initiative aims to empower emerging visual storytellers from five African nations: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and South Africa.

Applications opened on October 26 and will close on November 15 via the Akuna Learning website. No prior AI experience or formal film school education is required, but applicants must submit a portfolio of their previous creative work. The 50-week program is divided into five phases, with participants honing their skills in one of five creative tracks: animation, advertising, cinematography, editing, and screenwriting.

Selected creators will receive not only production funding but also the full rights to their work, allowing them to advance their careers while retaining creative control. Sir Idris Elba, chairman of The Akuna Group, emphasized the program's focus on enabling African filmmakers to confidently tell their stories. CEO Khaled Gad stressed the importance of providing a pathway from education to professional filmmaking, ensuring participants graduate with a fully funded film in hand.