Docubox Opens Call for Feature Fiction Development

As part of the Docubox International Partnership Summit 2026, the Docubox Creative Producers Lab will support seven Kenyan producers developing feature-length fiction films through a 5-day in-person lab alongside an experienced creative producer, continued virtual support with story consultants and script doctors, and opportunities to connect with international partners, funders, and industry stakeholders attending the summit. This is the first time the East African Documentary Film Fund, Docubox, is opening up to feature fiction development.

Founded in 2013 by Kenyan filmmaker Judy Kibinge, Docubox has supported and funded over 150 films, including feature documentaries, documentary shorts, and short fiction films, while also playing a key role in filmmaker development across the region. Since its inception, Docubox has awarded over 1.2 million dollars in grants, organized over 70 workshops and masterclasses, and curated over 200 film screenings, collectively attracting over 55,000 attendees in person and 160,000 attendees online. The organization isn’t just keen on funding films and providing educational programs for filmmakers, but is also interested in reframing cultural policies that lead to meaningful change. 

Docubox Creative Producers Lab.

Two Docubox-initiated projects have led to impact. Their ‘Thank You For The Rain’ projects inspired tree plantations across schools and ran a global impact campaign that led to the building of an earth dam that supports over 350 households, in Mutomo, Kitui, Kenya. Through films like He Named Me Malala, they have motivated discussions on education and gender equality among thousands of students. Their 2018 The Freedom of Creative Expression Initiative  focused on promoting unrestricted expression within Kenya’s creative sectors, especially in film, visual, and performing arts. This included pushing for new laws, examining current ones, and using a Communication and Advocacy Strategy through support of the court case against the film Rafiki by Wanuri Kahiu. 

The Docubox Creative Producers Lab will conclude with five projects receiving a USD 5,000 development grant towards script development, production bibles, fundraising materials, and other tools needed to move the projects closer to production. Interested applicants are expected to be working on a feature-length fiction project of about 60-120 minutes in runtime of any genre. Deadline for applying is 24th May, 2026