FAME Week Africa launches Africa’s first Micro Drama Pitching Competition
Africa’s next generation of storytellers could have a new pathway to bring their ideas to screen, with FAME Week Africa launching the Micro Drama Pitching Competition, a new initiative designed to discover and develop emerging African creators working in mobile-first storytelling.
Presented in partnership with Story Oasis and Media Valley, the competition will give emerging storytellers the opportunity to pitch original micro drama concepts while receiving professional development, production and post-production support.
Micro dramas are short, scripted series designed primarily for mobile viewing and have become one of the fastest-growing content formats globally. The FAME Week Africa initiative aims to position African creators within this expanding market while connecting promising projects with industry professionals.
We’ve seen how quickly the micro drama format has evolved internationally, creating entirely new opportunities for writers, directors and producers,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa
Africa has no shortage of incredible storytellers. This competition is about creating a pathway for emerging talent to develop commercially viable stories while connecting them with industry experts who can help bring those ideas to market.
Who can enter the Micro Drama Pitching Competition?
The competition is open to creators from across Africa who want to develop original scripted micro drama concepts.
Entrants will need to submit:
- A two-page concept document
- A five-page pitch deck
- Team biographies
- A statement of intent
Following adjudication by an industry panel, six finalists will be selected to pitch their projects during FAME Week Africa 2026 in Cape Town from 28 October to 1 November. The winning team can consist of up to two creators and will receive a package of industry support designed to help take their project towards production.
Click here to submit your mirco dram pitch
What does the winning Micro Drama project receive?
Rather than a cash prize, the competition focuses on helping the winning creators develop production-ready content. The winning project will receive story development support from story consultants, including a two-hour consultation, written forensic notes on the story and guidance on micro drama structure.
Media Valley will also provide its 450m² sound stage for one full day, including lights and the Media Valley LED Volume, as well as video editing facilities and an editor for the completed micro drama. The winning creators will also receive exposure to broadcasters, platforms, producers and investors attending FAME Week Africa.
Eileen Sandrock, COO at Media Valley, says the partnership is about supporting African creativity and finding storytellers willing to explore the future of the format.
Micro Dramas are the next frontier of entertainment, and Media Valley is thrilled to support the search for great ideas with its studios and high-end technology. This is a celebration of African creativity, innovation, and the storytellers bold enough to shape the future. – Eileen Sandrock
Andrina Moodley, Co-founder of Story Oasis, adds that the competition is intended to give African stories a place in the growing format.
Africa has no shortage of extraordinary stories. This competition exists to ensure they our stories are made in this exciting format. To every storyteller who submits to this competition: your story matters. Tell it with confidence and tell it with specificity to this format. – Andrina Moodley
Micro Drama Pitching Competition timeline
Call for Entries: 3 August 2026
Submission Deadline: 31 August 2026
Finalists Announced: 30 September 2026
Live Pitch: 28–30 October 2026
Submit your pitch: Micro Drama Pitching Competition submission form
Exploring the future of Micro Drama
The launch of the competition will be complemented by a dedicated conference session exploring the rapidly growing micro drama economy. The discussion will examine why micro dramas have become one of the fastest-growing entertainment formats globally, how brands are entering the space, and what opportunities exist for African creators.
Looking ahead to 2027
FAME Week Africa has also announced the launch of the FAME Micro Drama Film Festival, set to debut in 2027. “The inaugural festival will celebrate outstanding African micro dramas and showcase the continent’s growing expertise in short-form storytelling,” says Hiller.
The official call for entries will open in February 2027, creating another platform for creators to share their work with audiences, broadcasters and industry professionals from around the world.
