These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern participation in the Tell Your Story (TYS) Cohort. The Tell Your Story Cohort is a 3-month storytelling lab organised by Bold With Jo (“BWJ”). By applying to, enrolling in, or participating in the Program, each participant (“Participant”) agrees to be bound by these Terms.

The Cohort is designed to support African writers and directors in developing and completing an original 3 to 18 minute, festival-driven arthouse short film.

The Cohort may include:

• Structured digital training

• Workshops and group discussions

• Mentorship and creative supervision

• Conditional production funding

• Completion review and festival advisory

To be eligible for the Cohort, Participants must:

• Be of African heritage and reside in Africa.

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age

• Apply via link with original idea

• Commit to the full Cohort duration

• Comply with all Cohort requirements and guidelines

• BWJ reserves the right to verify eligibility and request supporting documentation at any stage.

4.1 Application Process

Participation in the Cohort is subject to an application and review process determined by BWJ.

4.2 Selection Criteria

Selection decisions may be based on creative merit, originality, impact, alignment with the Cohort’s vision, feasibility, and available capacity.

4.3 Discretion

BWJ reserves the sole discretion to accept, defer, or reject any application. Selection into the Cohort does not constitute employment, partnership, or representation.

By participating in the Cohort, Participants agree to the following:

5.1 Accurate Information

Provide complete, truthful, and accurate information during registration and throughout the Cohort.

5.2 Professional Engagement

Participate respectfully and professionally in all Cohort-related activities, including:

• Training sessions

• Workshops

• Mentorship meetings

• Group discussions

• Collaborative activities

5.3 Timely Completion

Complete assignments, submissions, and deliverables within specified timelines where applicable. Participants are required to complete the full TYS digital course within the first two (2) weeks of the Cohort as a mandatory foundation for continued participation and eligibility for production support.

5.4 Professional Conduct

Maintain professional, ethical, and respectful conduct at all times.

5.5 Removal for Misconduct

BWJ reserves the right to suspend or remove any Participant who engages in disruptive, harmful, unethical, fraudulent, or inappropriate behaviour.

Removal may result in:

• Immediate termination from the Cohort

• Revocation of funding

• Requirement to refund any disbursed amounts

To ensure transparency and proper administration of funds:

6.1 Name Consistency Requirement

The Participant’s:

• Registration name

• Government-issued identification

• Bank account details

must match exactly.

BWJ reserves the right to withhold disbursement of funds until all documentation is verified.

6.2 Required Documentation

Participants may be required to submit valid government-issued identification and related documents.

Failure to provide accurate documentation may result in delays, suspension, or termination from the Cohort.

Where applicable, Participants may receive limited production funding.

7.1 Nature of Funding

Production grants are conditional, milestone-based, and subject to BWJ’s discretion.

7.2 Disbursement Conditions

Funds may be released in stages and may require:

• Script approval

• Production plan approval

• Budget breakdown submission

• Documentation verification (see Section 6)

• Funds must be used strictly for approved production purposes. BWJ may request proof of expenditure.

• Misuse of funds may result in termination and repayment obligations.

If a Participant intends to involve external collaborators (including cinematographers or editors):

8.1 Submission Requirement

The Participant must submit relevant materials, which may include:

• Showreels

• Portfolios

• Professional credits

8.2 Approval Requirement

All external collaborators (cinematographers and editors) must receive formal approval from BWJ before production or post-production begins. BWJ reserves the right to approve or reject proposed collaborators to ensure quality and alignment with Cohort standards. Failure to obtain approval may affect funding eligibility.

9.1 Cohort Materials

All training and Cohort materials, including but not limited to:

• Videos

• Course documents

• Slides

• Branding

• Digital content

• Templates

• Frameworks

• Non-exhausive list

remain the exclusive intellectual property of Bold With Jo, unless otherwise stated in writing.

Participants may not reproduce, distribute, publish, resell, or commercially exploit Cohort materials without prior written consent.

9.2 Participant Creative Work

Participants retain ownership of their original creative work, including scripts, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

9.3 License to BWJ

Participants grant BWJ a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to exploit media:

• Showcase completed films for promotional and educational purposes

• Use excerpts, stills, and behind-the-scenes materials

• Reference Participant involvement in official communications

Participants agree not to disclose proprietary information, internal discussions, or unpublished materials shared within the Cohort without prior written permission from BWJ.

Participants consent to being photographed or recorded during the Cohort for promotional, archival, and reporting purposes.

12.1 Termination by BWJ

BWJ may terminate a Participant’s involvement if the Participant:

• Breaches these Terms

• Submits falsified documentation

• Misuses funds

• Fails to meet Cohort obligations

• Engages in misconduct or unethical behaviour

• Termination may result in:

• Revocation of funding

• Removal from Cohort activities and certification

• Disqualification from future BWJ initiatives

12.2 Voluntary Withdrawal

Participants wishing to withdraw must submit a written notice to BWJ explaining the reason for withdrawal The Participant may be tranfered to a future Cohort, subject to availability and approval. Note that funds already designated for a work incomplete MUST be paid back to BWJ.

BWJ shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential losses arising from participation in the Cohort.

BWJ reserves the right to amend or update these Terms at its discretion. Updated Terms will take effect upon notification.

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By applying to or participating in the Tell Your Story Cohort, the Participant confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.