The BRIDGE program is designed to encourage collaboration and co-development of cross-continental projects and expand the network of
European and African studios.

Since 2019, Spielfabrique provides opportunities for African studios to engage in online professionalisation activities, find potential partners, and exchange ideas on how to move forward with shared goals.

Join our discord server to get notified when the next program starts!

Applications for this program will open again in 2025.

Apply now for BRIDGE 2024

Reminder to submit your application by June 02nd, 2024 at 23:59 CET. You can do it! Let us know if you need help.

Strenghening Interafrican and Cross-Continental Bonds

BRIDGE 2025 continues to build on this foundation by
expanding the network of experts and studios, with a focus on supporting the African studios in their professionalisation, expanding their network of peers and fostering deeper collaboration between studios from both African and European continents.

The program emphasises networking, co-development, cultural
exchange, and the creation of sustainable business models.

We partner with the Goethe-Institut to strengthen ties between different African regions, expanding further the connected ecosystems of indies. The Goethe-Institut’s involvement highlights the diversity of gaming initiatives across Africa, showcasing the rich cultural narratives and unique creative potential of African developers. This collaboration also gives more visibility to the African gaming industry on the global stage, while encouraging greater interaction between African regions and European counterparts.

Schedule

The program runs from April to November.

April - May

Call for applications

The call for applications is launched across African and European networks, inviting studios to submit their projects for participation.

May

Studios' interviews

The studios will be interviewed, closely followed on the structuration of their projects and pitches, and their needs analysed, to select 10 of the most promising project pitches within this network for further support.

June - August

Mentoring sessions

The 10 selected studios will participate in one-on-one mentoring sessions, working closely with industry experts to refine their pitches and develop their production and financing strategies. Further online activities to meet and exchange with peers will allow them to refine their projects and pitches.

September - October

Matching

Within the network, matching between the studios across continents will be encouraged, special activities during which studios will meet, exchange ideas, and find potential partners, also with the possibility of connecting to our bigger network of interested European studios. From these interactions, the most promising project pitches of co-development will be selected for further support.

13 - 15

November

FEJA Festival, Abidjan

At Africa’s largest gaming festival, the results of BRIDGE 2025 will be showcased. The teams will present their projects, and the best pitches will have the opportunity to present their progress to a global audience of publishers, investors, and industry leaders.

November

Games Ground 2025, Berlin

The results of the programme will be also showcased by SpielFabrique and teams of the network will have the opportunity to present their projects.

Dates may vary slightly, additional events, pitch contests, and meetings may follow. Attendance at all events (in-person and online) is mandatory in order to be eligible for all benefits.

Engaging programs

Since 2019, a part of our activities are focused on Africa where our aim is to provide solutions through a selective market dedicated to promising African studios and to European studios that are open to cooperation.

We supported more than 15 African studios through our activities and started to build a strong ecosystem with African partners.

2019 - 2020

Enter
Africa

Pilot project Eurafrican Coproduction Platform

3 studios benefitted from an online support to find coproducers to develop their games.

2020 - 2022

Studies,
talks

2020

Study and Mapping of African Gaming Industry.

2022

Feasability Study – Gaming and Animation Sectors in Africa with GIZ

Coproduction Talk @Africa Game Week (April)

Talk @Africa - The New Video Game Factory, Tunisia (April)

Coproduction Talk @Africacomicade (September)

Coproduction Talk @Tshimolong (October)

2021 - 2022

African Games
Coproduction Market

Promoting video game projects of African studios

9 studios/projects have been selected by the final jury.
6 coproductions have been mentored by our experts and had the chance to pitch in front of publishers.

2022 - 2023

Events,
workshops

2022

Africa Games Week On-site (December)

2023

Video Games in Africa, Cineuropa (April)

Workshop Coproduction, Tshimolong Bootcamp (April)

Workshop at Africa Games Week: SpielFabrique & Bright Gambit’s Game Elevate , powered by Xsolla (December)

In 2024

BRIDGE is a unique program designed to foster collaboration between game studios in Africa and Europe, addressing the gap in partnership opportunities between these regions. It promotes African independent games in international markets while connecting European studios with new creative talent pools. Participating studios gain access to expert webinars, matchmaking sessions, 1:1 mentoring, meet-up activities, pitching opportunities, and potential prototype funding.

Since 2019, Spielfabrique has supported over 15 African studios, building a thriving ecosystem to help studios collaborate and succeed globally.

After the matchmaking session on the Meet2Match platform, selected co-producing teams receive personalized 1:1 mentoring to guide them from the initial stages of their partnership to developing a solid and effective strategy for their project.

Studios

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1:1 Mentoring

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Webinars

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Country partners

Our partner, Bright Gambit, plays a key role not just in crafting engaging webinars but also in supporting collaboration in a tangible way. They offer a €10,000 grant to a team, helping them bring their prototype to life and strengthen their creative partnership.

DECEMBER 2023 - SpielFabrique & Bright Gambit’s Game Elevate, powered by Xsolla

We were at Africa Games Week (November 27 – December 2) and organized a workshop for African studios.

The primary objectives of this masterclass/workshop were to give access to to a large number of attendees and to provide a platform for studios and experts to exchange on diffrent topics.

See the agenda