Meeting the Winners of the First-Ever CCF Co-Development Grant

From Conversation to Transformation

Meeting the Winners of the First-Ever CCF Co-Development Grant
At the Cross Continental Forum in Barbados, emerging and established storytellers from across the Global South came together to share, learn, and collaborate.

At the Cross Continental Forum (CCF) in Barbados, the energy was more than just talk; it was about tangible outcomes. Among the most significant moments of the week was the announcement of the first-ever co-development grant, supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Walking away with the funding to kickstart their co-productions were Ife Alaba, a Nigerian-born creative based in Newfoundland, Canada, and Kerel Pinder, a powerhouse storyteller from the Bahamas. Their win marks a shift in the industry, moving beyond the usual “networking” into real, transformative support for Global South creators.

In our latest podcast episode, Nicolette Richardson from The Grown Up Millennial sits down with Ife and Kerel to discuss the reality of the “win,” the barriers that money alone can’t fix, and what it really looks like to decolonize the way we make films.

Nicolette Richardson: How did it feel to be called up as one of the winning producers?

Ife Alaba: It was a bit jarring, to be honest, just because there are so many amazing producers there, producers who were already super accomplished, who have sold shows to Netflix and have national series. So just to be one of the people that won… it was really humbling. It shows that you really just need an idea to actually get to it.

Kerel Pinder: I was completely shocked. The person sitting next to me was like, “You’re going to win,” and I was like, “No, I’m not.” And then they said my name right after he said that! I’m like, “Shut the front door!” It was such a beautiful moment, but also a moment of realization that our stories have value.

While the grant funding is a massive milestone, the conversation quickly turned to the systemic hurdles that often keep Caribbean and African stories off the global stage. Kerel pointed out that while financing is a hurdle, the “relationship gap” is often the bigger wall.

“It’s not only the funding, because it’s also relationships. Do you have the key relationships with the people that are actually going to give you the funding? You’re not in the rooms. There’s the gatekeeping.” — Kerel Pinder

Ife echoed this, discussing the “Immigrant Creative Tax” in Canada. For many creatives, federal funding is locked behind permanent residency or citizenship. This forces brilliant storytellers to abandon their craft for “9-to-5” jobs just to secure the status they need to apply for a grant.

Nicolette Richardson: What does an “ideal” co-production look like to you?

Kerel Pinder: I would love to see people come with a blank slate. If I already have an idea that has my IP all over it and you’re just going to assist, you’re not really a co-producer. Co-production needs to be that you came on from the IP stage or you came on with the funding, so it can genuinely feel like we both have 50% skin in the game.

Ife Alaba: It’s about ownership. At the end of the day, what is your idea worth if you don’t own it? CCF was like a bubble that validated our ideas. It told us, “Okay, I’m not crazy. If I get this in front of the right person, this can happen.”

What’s Next for the Winners?

Both producers are already moving their projects into high gear. Kerel is focusing on her project Destined to Wed, treating the film as a “proof of concept” for a larger franchise. Meanwhile, Ife is developing Incorruptible Judge and a satirical animated series called Rated, which explores her experiences with the “awkwardness” of racism and discrimination in a small Canadian city.

As Nicolette noted during the wrap-up, the sheer talent sitting in those “little Zoom boxes” is proof that the future of cinema is being rewritten by the Global South.

Listen now to the full episode of the

Cross-Continental Conversations Podcast with Ife Alaba  & Kerel Pinder on CCF’s website or on Spotify.

Cover CCF 2026?

 Media Accreditation Is Now Open

We invite media professionals and organisations from Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, the UK, Europe, and South/Latin America to apply for the Cross Continental Forum (CCF) Media Cohort 2026, a premier international platform championing decolonised co-production, cross-cultural exchange, and global creative collaboration.

 Applications close: June 8, 2026

 Apply for Media Accreditation

Media Partner Highlights  

1. Global visibility across the Caribbean, Africa, North America, and Europe through the Cross Continental Forum’s international media ecosystem

a. Featured exposure to 30,000+ newsletter subscribers
b. Multi-platform promotion across podcast, web, and social media channels
c. Alignment with a growing global cultural movement.

2. Official partnership recognition connected to the Durban Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival

a. Brand placement alongside two of the world’s most influential film festivals
b. Exposure to filmmakers, distributors, buyers, and cultural leaders
c. Presence within internationally recognized industry spaces

3. Co-hosting opportunities on the Cross Continental Conversations podcast

a. Named co-host credit on dedicated episodes
b. Opportunity to help shape conversations and featured guests

4. Dedicated editorial storytelling opportunities through Caribbean Tales Media Group
a. Long-form feature article spotlighting your organization and mission
b. Authentic, culturally driven storytelling rather than traditional advertising
c. Permanent digital publication for long-term visibility and discoverability

5. Inclusion in the official Cross Continental Forum eBook

a. Branded feature space within the publication
b. Distribution at major international film industry events
c. Continued digital circulation after the festivals concludes

6. Direct connection to a powerful international network of creatives and changemakers

a. Access to filmmakers, storytellers, producers, and cultural institutions
b. Opportunities for collaboration, co-production, and audience growth. 

Applications are now open at

Media Contact: Tedecia Bromfield

Communications Manager, Cross Continental Forum 2026
Email: press@decolonisingcoproduction.com
Whatsapp +1 (876) 503-2968