It is a micro-incubator that selects 5 cultural projects per cohort and accompanies them for 12 weeks to move from idea to roadmap. We are small intentionally. Each participant is paired with a real player in the industry, works on a concrete deliverable at each stage, and leaves with a network, a plan and the next steps clearly mapped out. That's Make It Real!
Sprint 1
Diagnose
Sprint 2
Build
Sprint 3
Test
Sprint 4
Propel
A call for applications is launched a few weeks before the major annual event. The finalists have 3 minutes to convince a mystery jury. Five winners leave with a budget allocation invested directly in their projects and automatically join the cohort.
For each project selected, two people from the same team can join the cohort. Each participant or duo is paired from the start with an Industry Partner (a real player in the industry, not a symbolic mentor). Someone who can actually open a door at the end of the journey. The course takes place in four sprints: diagnose, build, test, propel forward. At each stage, a concrete deliverable. Experts who intervene in clinical mode, in response to real blockages. Here, there are no lectures.
In 12 weeks, a more solid project, a more real network, and the next steps clearly mapped out.
The winners leave with a roadmap for the next 90 days and join the Nation Hub community.
If funding allows, following the course, participants will be invited to take part in an international cultural mission (for a certain cost) related to the targeted theme of the cohort.
Serving Black Cultural Entrepreneurs
The focus of the 2026 cohort is the screen industry (film, television, digital media, video games). Universes where our stories still have too little space.
Following the call for applications, 12 projects will be selected and invited to take part in the Pitch Corner on October 23 at the Nation Forum.
Following the pitch in front of a jury, 5 projects will be selected and grants will be awarded to them. The overall winners will be announced on October 24, 2026 at the closing of the Forum.
The cohort will take place from January to March 2027. 12 intensive weeks, structured around four sprints: diagnose, build, test, propel forward. Each participant is paired with an Industry Partner, a real player in the screen industry who is committed to monitoring the progress of the project throughout the duration of the program.
Participation is completely free for recipients.
Dates to remember
August 17 to September 30, 2026.
October 12, 2026
October 23, 2026
October 24, 2026
January 2027
