Building Creative & Cultural Connections
Sunday, April 27 - Friday, May 2, 2025
IBTS 2025
Building Creative & Cultural Connections
The CRAFT Institute in collaboration with The National Theatre of Ghana presents the 4th Biennial convening of The International Black Theatre Summit in Ghana
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Date: Sun, April 27 - Fri, May 2nd, 2025
Location: Accra, Ghana
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Journey with us as we draw upon the original AI, Ancestral Intelligence, to strategize the future of Black storytelling across platforms through Africa and the diaspora.​
Photo Courtesy of Dr. Victor Leo Walker​
About The International Black Theatre Summit
The International Black Theatre Summit is a Think Tank, global network, and biennial convening that gathers scholars and practitioners working in theatre, film, television, and related media and tech to strategize the future of Black storytelling across platforms throughout the continent of Africa and the Diaspora.
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Learn more about The International Black Theatre Summit here.
PROGRAMMING & AGENDA
Check out the programmatic events and highlights that will be featured in IBTS 2025:
IBTS Church
An interactive session rooted in storytelling, performance, and shared cultural practices, "CHURCH" at IBTS will be a space for reflection, teaching, and testimony. Not your traditional church, this daily morning gathering will be a thrilling, inclusive exploration, guided by the interests and needs of the collective.
IBTS Church
Workshops
Opportunities for skills-building and networking sessions. Workshops will be available across disciplines and areas of specialization.
Workshops
Concurrent Sessions
The breakout groups of the “Think Tank.” Topics of discussion will stem from the 5 Pillars of IBTS 2025: Practice and Performance, Education in and through the Arts, Finance, Marketing and Public Relations and Cross-Cultural Collaboration.
Concurrent Sessions
Excursions
Part of the journey to the continent must include exploring the land and culture beyond IBTS. All participants will have a choice of one exciting excursion to take on Wednesday. Choices include an Accra City Tour, Eastern Region Tour and Central Region Tour. More information here.
Excursions
Performances
Globally renowned performances will be held, including works from The National Theatre of Ghana and The African Diasporic Network, as well as cultural arts events. Public opportunities to perform will also be available at Open Mic Spoken Word Night and performance workshops through the Summit.
Performances
Community & Celebration
Ceremonies, mixers, parties and opportunities to network will be woven in throughout the week. In order to achieve a brilliant future for Black storytelling, we believe must build collective relationships in our own time.
Community & Celebration
Visit our Schedule At A Glance here. More information to come.
EXCURSIONS
All participants will be invited to attend a tour excursion during their time at The International Black Theatre Summit. We encourage all to look for practice and performance inspiration through their journey. Options include:
ACCRA CITY TOUR
Immerse yourself in Accra, including visits to James Town Lighthouse and the Du Bois Centre for Pan Africanism. Conclude at Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the final resting place of Ghana’s first president and legendary Pan-Africanist.
EASTERN REGION TOUR
Set off to Shai Hills for a close-to-Accra safari adventure, where you'll hike through caves and hills amidst breathtaking views. Then, continue to Aburi Botanical Gardens, a colonial oasis, established by the British for the relaxation of its officers, known for its serene landscapes and refreshing wind due to its hilly terrain. Finally, experience the hidden treasure of Asenema Waterfall, nestled in the lush Akuapem Hills which provides an exclusive and stunning waterfall experience.
CENTRAL REGION TOUR
Depart for Ghana's Central Region to visit the infamous castles, Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle, offering an emotional journey through the dungeons and history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Next, venture into Kakum National Park for a guided walk through one of Ghana's last rainforests, including an exhilarating canopy walkway, the first of its kind in Africa, where you'll enjoy stunning views of diverse flora and fauna.
There will also be other opportunities to extend your visit beyond Sunday, April 27 - Friday, May 2nd, with Pre-Summit and Post-Summit excursions. These excursions will be offered from Thursday, April 24 - Sunday, April 27 and Saturday May 3 - Wednesday, May 7th. These excursions will be offered through Timpo Travel.
More information and pricing to come.
Registration Available Until January 31, 2025
Space Limited
IBTS 2025
Building Creative & Cultural Connections (over the first decade of the next 100 years)
Sunday April 27 to Friday May 2, 2025
The CRAFT Institute in collaboration with The National Theatre of Ghana presents the 4th Biennial convening of The International Black Theatre Summit in Ghana.
​
Journey with us as we draw upon the original AI, Ancestral Intelligence, to strategize the future of Black storytelling across platforms throughout Africa and the diaspora.
​
IBTS MISSION: The International Black Theatre Summit is a Think Tank, global network, and biennial convening that gathers scholars and practitioners working in theatre, film, television, and related media and tech to strategize the future of Black storytelling across platforms throughout the continent of Africa and the Diaspora.
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GOAL OF IBTS 2025: Imagine we succeed in achieving a brilliant future for Black storytelling (What does it look like and how does it work?). The IBTS 2025 convening should help establish the necessary foundations for the first decade of the next 100 years of Black storytelling.
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PILLARS:
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Pillar 1: Practice and Performance
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Pillar 2: Education in and through the Arts
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Pillar 3: Finance
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Pillar 4: Marketing and Public Relations
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Pillar 5: Cross-Cultural Collaboration
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Potential Themes in Technology, Health & Safety
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I don’t live in the United States. May I apply for the Writers Retreat?Yes, absolutely! But please remember that your screenplay must be written in English.
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Are you accepting applications with short film scripts?No. At this time, we are accepting applications with Feature length scripts and TV Pilots.
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I am a playwright. Can I apply?Only with a Feature film script or a TV Pilot. No stage plays.
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How many people are accepted into the program? Can I apply with my writing partner?4 individual writers will be accepted into the program. We are not accepting writers teams for this inaugural launch.
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Can I submit more than 1 entry?At this time, we are accepting one (1) entry per writer. One script per writer.
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When does the application window close?The submission window opens on May 5th at 3:00pm ET and ends on May 26th, 2024 at 11:59pm ET, OR until the maximum entry limit of 250 submissions are received. The application will close submissions once the maximum number of entries are received or the final deadline is reached--whichever occurs first.
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What are the page guidelines for submitting screenplays?For the first round, we are asking for a 10 page sample (excluding title page) of your script. For the second round, we will ask for full scripts. We recommend you adhere to the following guidelines: 120 pages for Feature 65 pages for 1 Hour Pilot 35 pages for Half Hour Pilot Your script will not be disqualified if it is a few pages longer or shorter than our specified length. Please note the Judges who are evaluating your script are industry professionals, and any deviation from industry standards may put you at a disadvantage.
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Once I enter, how will I know for sure that you received my script and payment?As you fill out our application on CreateEnsemble.com, once you’ve successfully entered your script file, a confirmation message will be sent to your email to let you know your script has been uploaded and saved in our database, and payment was received.
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If I apply to the Writers Retreat, will you claim any rights to my script or any percentage of future profits?Absolutely not. You retain all rights to your work at all times. Neither The CRAFT Institute, CreateEnsemble.com, nor its Administrators, Sponsors or Judges will attach themselves to your script as a condition of you applying to the Writers Retreat or joining the cohort, nor will we demand any percentage of any sales you make as a result of entering or winning the contest. The profits are entirely yours.
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What genres are you accepting?We are open to all Fiction Feature-Length Films and TV Pilots! Accepting comedies, sci-fi, horror, thrillers, romcoms, etc. We are not accepting documentaries.
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Will you accept documentaries?No. This the inaugural launch, we will be accepting Fiction Feature Film Screenplays and TV pilot scripts.
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Can I submit a musical?Yes! As long as it is a Feature Film Screenplay or a TV pilot script.
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May I receive the scores from my application?Yes! We are offering to share Judges scores of the first round (first 10 pages of script, excluding title page) for an additional $30. This is separate request you will make after you submit your application. Please email egoes@thecraftinstitute.org to request.
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I am experiencing a technical difficulty. What should I do?We are so excited to be working with CreateEnsemble.com, an incubator that provides a learning and talent development infrastructure for creatives of color. Please note that is a new platform, it is operational and still being developed. If you are experiencing technical difficulties while on the platform, please contact contact@createensemble.com. The platform will be readily available to support any questions or concerns you have. We are thank you for your patience and supporting a new, inclusive platform built by and for creatives of color. If you have other general questions, you are welcome to email Emily Goes, egoes@thecraftinstitute.org.
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Do I have to make a profile on Create Ensemble to access the application?Yes! To access the application, you must create a free profile as a creative on CreateEnsemble.com. We encourage you to complete your profile with any information and links you would like to be considered in your application. If you have any questions about this process, email Emily at egoes@thecraftinstitute.org.
