Susan Mbogo, Executive Director, Docubox East Africa Film Fund, speaking at the opening of the second Docubox International Partnership Summit 2020.
African filmmakers, international funders, broadcasters and festival organisers met in Nairobi last week to explore new ways of financing, producing and distributing African films.
The second Docubox International Partnership Summit (DIPS) 2026, held from July 17 to 18, brought together creative producers, distributors, policymakers and cultural leaders from Africa and beyond to strengthen partnerships that support African storytelling.
Organisers said the summit has become one of East Africa's leading platforms for collaboration in the independent film industry. It allows filmmakers to meet directly with global partners to discuss funding, creative development, distribution and long-term investment in African stories.
The meeting comes as African films continue to receive growing international recognition, creating more opportunities for filmmakers while highlighting the need for stronger production systems and fairer global partnerships.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Docubox Executive Director Susan Mbogo said lasting partnerships are key to the future of African storytelling.
"The future of African storytelling depends on strong, meaningful partnerships. Through the Docubox International Partnership Summit, we are creating spaces where filmmakers, ecosystem builders and industry leaders move beyond conversations into lasting collaboration. Together, we are investing in stories that reflect our realities while resonating with audiences across the world."
Alongside the summit, participants took part in two training programmes designed to strengthen filmmaking skills.
One was the Docubox Creative Producers Lab, which supported seven Kenyan producers developing feature-length fiction films. The other was Rough Cut Lab Africa 2026, which offered African documentary filmmakers editorial mentorship while their films are still in production.
This year's summit also marked Docubox's first dedicated programme for feature-length fiction films, reflecting what organisers said is a growing demand for stronger support for independent African cinema.
Seven teams of producers and writers spent five days receiving guidance from experienced creative producers, script consultants and industry experts. At the end of the programme, five projects will each receive 5,000 US dollars to help with script development, fundraising materials and production planning.
Docubox Internal Producer Mungai Kiroga said the programme attracted more than 70 applications.
"From more than seventy applications, we narrowed it down to seven filmmaking teams. All this week, they have been sharing their ideas and developing their budgets, finance plans, as well as distribution plans. Our end goal is to have seven strong stories that can be used as the filmmakers continue to raise funds and eventually distribute their films," Kiroga said.
The lab was led by Nigerian film producer and Raconteur Productions founder Chioma Onyenwe.
"This lab has been incredibly rewarding. We've experienced an abundance of talent from exceptional filmmakers and encountered truly remarkable projects. I can't wait for the world to experience these stories," she said.
The summit also highlighted the role of African-led mentorship through Rough Cut Lab Africa, which brought together nine feature-length projects, including three fiction films and six documentaries, from across the continent.
Rough Cut Lab Africa founder and director Kalid Shamis said the partnership with Docubox allowed filmmakers to meet physically for the first time.
"Traditionally, the lab has been conducted online to make participation possible across the continent. Over the past month, filmmakers have worked virtually with their consultants, and this in-person gathering has created an invaluable opportunity for participants to meet one another, watch each other's films, engage directly with their consultants, and exchange ideas."
Documentary Africa Executive Director Mohamed Saïd Ouma said the independent film sector is facing financial pressure globally, making collaboration more important than ever.
"Organisations such as Docubox, Documentary Africa, DOK Leipzig, and many of our sister organisations across Africa and beyond must continue working together more intentionally, complementing one another's strengths to ensure that filmmakers continue receiving the support they need," he said.
The summit concluded with panel discussions, networking sessions and film screenings focusing on co-production, financing, audience development, distribution and building sustainable careers in Africa's growing creative economy. Organisers said the event also strengthens Nairobi's position as an important hub for African filmmaking and international creative partnerships.
