For five years in a row, Paradigm Initiative has produced five short films from the organisation’s annual Digital Rights and Inclusion Report known as Londa. The award-winning films the organisation has produced are; Whispers in the Wires, Undersight, Finding Diana, Focus and Training Day.

Paradigm Initiative is seeking a creative script and a bilingual production company to produce our 6th short film that tells a creative and impactful story on the state of digital rights and inclusion in Africa. Focusing on reports from Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the short film must capture key thematic areas, instances, and elements highlighted in the Londa reports in a way that can be viewed and understood by diverse members of society. The language must be simple, inclusive, and comprehensible to a wide audience. 

As all our previous short films were produced by Nigeria-based production companies, we are giving priority to production companies outside of Nigeria.

Who We Are  

Paradigm Initiative (PIN) is a non-governmental organisation that shapes policy, defends digital rights, advocates for inclusion and builds capacity in the digital environment towards a digitally inclusive and rights-respecting world. We have worked in communities across Nigeria since 2007 and across Africa since 2017, building experience, community trust, and an organisational culture that positions us as a leading organisation in ICT for Development and Digital Rights on the continent.

Across our regional offices in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and beyond, we have impacted youth with improved livelihoods through our digital inclusion and digital rights programmes. Our programmes include Life Skills. ICT Skills. Financial Readiness. Entrepreneurship (LIFE) Training Programme, a digital readiness workshop for youth, and Life at Schools Club Programme.

PIN has also built online platforms that educate and serve as safe spaces for reporting digital rights violations. These mediums, in the form of reports, short films, and educational online platforms, include Ayeta and Ripoti. 

The 2024 Londa Report Highlights

Londa 2024 Report, which inspires the short film, monitors the state of digital rights and inclusion on the continent. The 2024 Report introduces a new Score Index ranking countries on the continent according to their compliance with key human rights elements. The Score Index evaluates the compliance of the countries to the key human rights elements described in the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information. The 2024 Londa report, which focuses on 27 African countries, highlights internet disruptions as a common feature in 2024. The marked increase in internet shutdowns is a reflection of the reluctance of some African countries to comply with international human rights law.

Other issues that the report highlights are; the cost of data which affected the ability of women to afford data bundles for internet access, crackdown on freedom of expression, criminalisation of false news contrary to international standards recommending that governments prefer civil sanctions to address false news, lack of legal frameworks that address online gender-based violence, need for governments to proactively disclose information and use digital platforms to enhance access to information. The report also takes note of activities which steered the African continent towards digital access. Regarding online safety for children and vulnerable groups, the report indicates that most African countries lack specific child online safety policies and are stuck on child protection laws that do not cover protection in the digital age. The comprehensive report can be accessed here.

Deliverables

Script Writer

• Develop a captivating synopsis and script based on the 2024 Londa Report that tells a creative and impactful story.

• The individual or organisation that develops the winning script will work with the shortlisted production company to produce a short film based on the script. 

• The scripts can be in English or French but the final short film output will be in English, French and Swahili. 

• The individual/vendor must be open to meeting with the PIN team regularly for any clarifications and updates.

Tasks

• Outline: Develop a detailed outline of the proposed script, including a plot summary, main characters, and key scenes.
• Work samples: Share writing samples and examples of previous work (scripts, short stories).
• Timelines: Map out milestones for script development and completion, indicating clear timelines.
• Collaborative Production: Work with the shortlisted movie production company in bringing the story to fruition via a short film based on the Londa 2024 Report.

Experience

The ideal script writer must be creative with the ability to develop a captivating story and script and have a passion for short films, with demonstrated examples of great outputs. The Script Writer must also have experience of working with directors, producers, and other creative team members, and have capacity to handle feedback and work within a team.

Educational Background and Skills

• Degree in Film Studies, English, Creative Writing or related degree with a solid foundation in storytelling, narrative structure and technical aspects of script writing.

• Strong writing skills with proficiency in crafting characters and developing engaging plots.

• Understanding of Film Language with knowledge of how scripts translate to the screen, including visual storytelling and scene structure.

• Creativity and originality with the ability to develop unique and original stories that captivate audiences.

Bilingual Film Production Company

The production company should have modern equipment and qualified bilingual (French and English) personnel with demonstrated evidence and capacity to deliver excellent output with guidance from PIN’s communications team. 

The production company must be open to meeting with the PIN team regularly for any clarifications and updates.

When it comes to the French language, the accents we can work with include French, Swiss, and African (Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia).

Tasks

• Work with the Script Writer to produce the short film. (We are also open to having the production company develop a creative script if they have the capacity to do so).
• Plan, develop and produce the audiovisual product in French and English with translation into Swahili by 27th, February, 2026
• Finalise the original production according to the feedback provided by Paradigm Initiative.
• Use the latest high-quality equipment/software in the project
• The production company will produce all materials, soundtracks and music used from scratch.

Submission

The proposals should provide the following information:

Script Writer

• Introduction: A brief introduction of the Script Writer and their experience.
• Script Proposal: A detailed outline of the proposed script, including plot summary, main characters, and key scenes.
• Writing Samples: Examples of previous work (scripts, short stories).
• Budget: Detailed cost for script development.
• Timelines: Milestones highlighting script development and completion.
• References and Recommendations: The candidate should also share three references from industry professionals or previous collaborators who can provide insight into the writer’s work ethic, teamwork, reliability and ability to meet deadlines without relying on reminders.

Bilingual Production Company

• Technical Proposal: Outline and methodology for undertaking the production as well as detailed work plan showing the assignment’s important activities and milestones.
• Financial Proposal: Include a detailed quotation for the production showing all necessary costs to be incurred. 
• Financial stability and effective budget management.
• Contact details of three references who can provide insight into the organisation’s work ethic, reliability and ability to meet deadlines without relying on reminders. 
• The company must have high-level technical/professional expertise and creativity across all production roles.

• Submit samples of previous productions in English, French and Swahili directly produced by the applicant.
• Demonstrate competency and creativity in audiovisual productions.
• Evidence of recognition and awards from reputable film festivals and competitions would be ideal.
• Evidence of having capacity to syndicate, distribute, market and amplify the short film would be ideal

For questions or inquiries, contact media.enquiry@paradigmhq.org

Please send your proposals to rfp@paradigmhq.org. Applications are open from September 30th, 2025 to October 21st, 2025.