JOIN KIPAJI LAB 3.0

A strong commitment to transforming Africa’s storytelling landscape and creating content for Africans by Africans runs deep within The Kipaji Lab 3.0. Are you ready to join one of the best filmmaking teams in July 2025?

We are seeking experienced and passionate Creative Project Leaders and Crew Members to join our July 2025 cohort in Nairobi, Kenya. Three teams will produce a short film of 5-15 minutes in duration to be premiered at The Red Balloon Film Festival. Each team will have a Creative Project Leader and 15 Crew Members.

PROJECT LEADER

Creative Project Leader candidate requirements:

  • ZCommitment to transforming Africa’s storytelling landscape and creating content for Africans by Africans and leaving a positive impact.
  • Z5+ years in the film industry.
  • ZLive in Nairobi or be able to host yourself in Nairobi in July 2025.
  • ZExcellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills, self-starters and high achievers. Creative Project Leaders must have a demonstrated ability to lead teams
  • ZEnergetic, good-natured, intelligent, mature, and highly creative.
  • ZProduction skills, and a well-documented resume/portfolio, including a “Director” or “Producer” credit on at least one distributed film project.
  • ZSocial (3000+ followers) and industry presence that will garner the interest of other participants.
  • ZReadiness to unlearn limiting colonial beliefs and embrace a new approach to storytelling and a desire to make a positive impact on African storytelling.

Benefits to being a Creative Project Leader:

  • Z$10k to fund and complete a 10-15 minute film.
  • ZAccess to RED and Sony Camera packages to use during filming ($50k in equipment)
  • ZOpportunity to win a Sony equipment package, including an M2 MacBook Pro ($3k-estimated value)
  • ZYou, your team, and your film will be promoted through The KIPAJI Lab’s social media accounts and the Red Balloon website.
  • ZWork with Kipaji Lab’s team of award-winning film professionals.
  • ZProduction skills, and a well-documented resume/portfolio, including a “Director” or “Producer” credit on at least one distributed film project.

CREW MEMBER

The Kipaji Lab is looking to fill 3 teams of 16 people each; 1 Project Leader and 15 Crew members to produce a short film during our July 2025 cohort in Nairobi. Each team will produce a short film to be premiered at The Red Balloon Festival on July 26, 2025. Your team will have 2 weeks to film, edit, and deliver a film of 10-15 minutes in duration.

Are you an Editor, Writer, Cinematographer, Camera operator, Gaffer, Lighting Technician, Sound Mixer, Makeup artist, Production Designer, Art Director, Costume Designer, Set Designer? If so, you may qualify to apply.

Besides being passionate about filmmaking and expanding the storytelling universe, candidates must have:

  • Z3+ years experience in the filmmaking industry.
  • ZLive in Nairobi or be able to host yourself in Nairobi in July 2025.
  • ZA resume and professional portfolio.
  • ZFilm credits
  • ZEnergetic, insightful, intelligent, mature, and highly creative.
  • ZReadiness to embrace a new approach to storytelling.
  • ZDesire to make a positive impact on African storytelling.
Benefits to being on a Kipaji Lab 3.0 Crew Member:
  • ZWork with an accomplished Project Leader and other talented crew members and add an innovative short film to your portfolio.
  • ZYour team and your film will be promoted online through The KIPAJI Lab’s social media accounts and the Red Balloon Festival website.
  • ZParticipate in an online training course to introduce you to The Lab’s methodology of Creative Transformation.
Register Now