New Narratives seeks a video team to produce a documentary report of under 8 minutes, plus short clips for social media and websites, on the impact of its Excellence in Investigative Journalism project in Liberia.
| Commissioned by | New Narratives |
| Deliverables | One video under 8 minutes + a package of short clips |
| Filming location | Liberia |
| Budget | Itemized, all-inclusive budget in US dollars |
| Application deadline | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Final delivery | Dec 31, 2026 |
| Open to | Filmmakers and production teams from Africa and internationally |
About New Narratives and the project
New Narratives is a women-led journalism nonprofit that has built independent media in West Africa since 2010. It trains and supports reporters, partners with local newsrooms, and publishes investigative and public-interest journalism, mainly in Liberia and Ghana.
The Excellence in Investigative Journalism project, supported by Sweden, has worked to raise the quality, reach and sustainability of investigative reporting in Liberia. It has trained and mentored journalists, supported partner newsrooms, and produced investigations that have put issues facing ordinary Liberians in front of decision-makers. It has also built the financial sustainability of newsrooms with an innovative digital transformation project. Please see the mid-term evaluation here. Please note project was extended to 2027.
As the project ends, New Narratives/Sida want a video record of what changed, told through the people who lived it.
Purpose and focus
The video must show the project’s impact, not describe its activities. We want real stories of change, told by the journalists, communities and stakeholders involved, backed by evidence. It will be used to report to donors, share results with partners and the public, and support future fundraising.
The story should cover four groups:
- Journalists. How the project changed their skills, careers, confidence and safety as investigative reporters.
- Newsrooms. How partner media outlets changed their reporting, editorial standards and audience reach, and how the project helped make them more financially and institutionally sustainable.
- People and communities. The people and communities at the center of the investigations. What changed for them after the reporting was published.
- Stakeholders. Officials, institutions, civil society groups and others who were the focus of the reporting or responded to it. What actions, policy changes or accountability followed.
We welcome creative approaches. The film should be character-driven, honest about challenges as well as successes, and led by Liberian voices.
Deliverables
| Deliverable | Specification |
| Main video | Under 8 minutes, 16:9, HD (4K preferred), English subtitles and burned-in captions |
| Short clips | At least 6 clips of 30 to 90 seconds, cut for social media (9:16 and 1:1) and websites (16:9), with captions |
| Stills | 20 or more high-resolution photographs of people and places featured |
| Raw material | All edited footage and selected raw footage, delivered on a hard drive or by secure file transfer |
| Consent records | Signed consent and release forms for everyone filmed |
Applicants may propose a different number or mix of clips if it better serves the story. Local languages spoken on camera must be subtitled in English.
Timeline
The schedule is tight: filming must take place in November so the final video and clips can be delivered by December 31, 2026.
proposed production schedule · Oct 15 to Dec 31
Budget
Applicants should submit an itemized, all-inclusive budget in US dollars. It should cover all costs: fees, crew, equipment, travel to Liberia if needed (NN will provide in-country transport), accommodation, insurance, translation, music and archive licensing, and post-production.
New Narratives will introduce the team to journalists, newsrooms and communities, and help with local logistics. We expect to pay in three stages, tied to signing, the rough cut and final delivery. Value for money is part of the assessment.
Who should apply
We welcome applications from individual filmmakers, production companies and collectives based in Africa and internationally. Teams from Liberia and West Africa are strongly encouraged to apply, as are international teams working with local crew.
Applicants should have:
- A track record of documentary or impact storytelling, ideally on media, human rights or development
- Experience filming in West Africa or similar settings, or a clear plan for working with local partners
- The ability to film in Liberia in November and deliver on time
- Sensitivity to working with vulnerable people and survivors
What to submit
Proposals should be no longer than 6 pages, excluding CVs and links, and include:
- Creative approach. How you would tell the story, the characters you would look for, and the look and tone of the film.
- Clip plan. How you would adapt the material for social media and websites.
- Work plan. Filming days, locations and a schedule that meets the December 31 deadline.
- Team. Names, roles and short CVs of key team members, including any Liberian or West African crew.
- Portfolio. Links to two or three recent similar films, with your role in each.
- Budget. An itemized budget in US dollars, all-inclusive.
- References. Two recent clients we may contact.
Selection criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
| Creative approach and understanding of the brief | 30% |
| Quality and relevance of past work | 25% |
| Team experience, including local knowledge and crew | 20% |
| Value for money | 15% |
| Realistic work plan that meets the deadline | 10% |
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a short online interview.
Ethics, safeguarding and rights
The team must follow New Narratives’ Safeguarding Policy (NN-SG-01) and PSEA Policy (NN-PSEA-01), and sign our code of conduct.
- Informed consent from everyone filmed, in a language they understand
- Protection of identities where people could face risk, including survivors and sources
- No payment for interviews, and no promises of benefits to contributors
New Narratives will own all rights to the final video, clips, stills and footage. The team may use the work in its portfolio with credit to New Narratives and the donor.
How to apply
Email your proposal as a single PDF to [email protected] with the subject line “Video Proposal: Excellence in Investigative Journalism” by Oct 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. GMT (Liberia time).
Questions may be sent to the same address until October 10. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.