☑️ Application #44 Nia - "The Onchain Journey of African Builders & Creators" Documentary Film

CLOSED: The Sandbox DAO Grant Program CLOSED: Community Engagement
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Q1 Name of your Grant

Nia - The Onchain Journey of African Builders & Creators" Documentary Film Grant

Q2 Total Grant amount in USD ($)

$1650 USD

Q3 Evaluation Factor – Specific

This grant aims to achieve the successful completion and premiere of our documentary film that will globally redefine perceptions of African builders, creatives, and projects like sandbox DAO. Our specific outcomes are:

  1. Completion of 2 High-Quality Film Productions: We will finalize all essential post-production aspects (editing, sound design, and color grading) to produce 2 polished, cinematic documentaries (an 8 minute version and a 30 minute version) ready for global distribution.
  2. Physical film premiere and NFT Viewing ticket: We will host a simultaneous film premiere and the launch of our unique NFT viewing tickets, directly engaging the Web3 community and showcasing the film’s innovative distribution model.
  3. Amplified Visibility for African builders: The film will actively boost the global presence and recognition of the African builders and creators it features, opening new avenues for their projects and talent.

This grant is solely focused on bringing african creators, builders, and projects like sandbox dao to the spotlight.

Q4 Evaluation Factor – Measurable

We have a clear, four-milestone plan with recommended payment percentages that total 100%.

Milestone 1: Detailed Treatment & Visual Mood Board (50% Payment)

  • Deadline: August 5th, 2025
  • Deliverable: A comprehensive written treatment outlining the narrative arc, key themes, character profiles, and proposed interview subjects for the film. This will be accompanied by a visual mood board, providing a clear aesthetic and tonal direction for the documentary (including visual references, potential shot styles, and color palettes).
  • Verification: Submission of the detailed treatment document and a link to the visual mood board (e.g., a shared online presentation, whiteboard, or PDF). This upfront payment will cover essential pre-production and production costs, including equipment rentals and production commencement.

Milestone 2: Principal Photography Completion (20% Payment)

  • Deadline: 15th of August 2025
  • Deliverable: Completion of all on-location filming in Lagos, Nigeria, including interviews and capturing the daily lives and work of the featured African builders and creators.
  • Verification: Submission of raw footage reels and a summary report of filming progress.

Milestone 3: Picture Lock & Early Marketing Assets (15% Payment)

  • Deadline: 25th of August 2025
  • Deliverable: Completion of the final rough cut (“picture lock”) of the 30 minute version of the documentary, along with the release of the 8-minute version of the documentary and early marketing visuals (e.g., social media teasers).
  • Verification: Submission of the picture-locked film cut link and links to the published 8-minute version/marketing assets.

Milestone 4: Final Film Delivery & Physical film premiere (15% Payment)

  • Deadline: 31st of August 2025
  • Deliverable: Completion of all post-production (sound, color grade, final edits), readiness for global distribution, and the successful launch of the NFT viewing tickets.
  • Verification: Final film link of the 30 minute version, smart contract address for the NFT viewing tickets, and links to premiere announcement/NFT launch pages on Opensea.

Q5 Evaluation Factor – Accountable

Q6 Evaluation Factor – Realistic

The impact of “Nia” on the Sandbox ecosystem is direct, tangible, and aligns perfectly with its core values of people, product, and purpose.

  • Connecting with People & Purpose (Community & Education): “Nia” will onboard new users and educate existing ones about the real-world utility and potential of Web3. By telling the stories of African builders and connecting them via the Base blockchain and NFTs, we introduce a diverse, global audience to decentralized technology in a highly relatable way. This fosters broader understanding and appreciation for what Web3 can enable beyond gaming or speculation, enriching the entire ecosystem with real-world narratives of creativity and resilience. It shows that the spirit of building championed by The Sandbox extends globally and into various fields.

  • Showcasing Product (Web3 & NFTs): Our innovative use of NFT viewing tickets for distribution demonstrates a practical, engaging application of Web3 technology within the media space. This provides a concrete example for The Sandbox community and beyond of how decentralized tools can be used to empower creators and reach audiences, potentially inspiring new creators within The Sandbox to leverage similar models for their own digital assets and experiences.

  • Diversifying Narratives & Talent: By shining a spotlight on underrepresented African builders, “Nia” actively works to diversify the global narrative surrounding Web3 and innovation. This directly connects to The Sandbox’s purpose of fostering a diverse, global metaverse where all creators feel represented and inspired to build. It promotes inclusivity and showcases the expansive talent pool that exists beyond traditional tech hubs.

In essence, “Nia” acts as a compelling, educational tool and a real-world case study for the power of Web3, enriching The Sandbox’s community, demonstrating practical blockchain utility, and broadening its reach to an impactful, underrepresented demographic.

Q7 Evaluation Factor – Timely

  • Timeline Overview:
    • 1st to 18th August 2025 (phase 1): Filming (Principal Photography Begins)
    • 19th to 25th August 2025 (Phase 2): Editing + Early Marketing Push Begins
    • 31st August 2025 phase 3): NFT Launch + Film Premiere + Global Release

The timeline is clearly laid out and directly linked to our three measurable milestones:

  • Milestone 1 (Principal Photography Completion) wraps up in 18th August 2025
  • Milestone 2 (Picture Lock & Early Marketing Assets) will be completed by the end of 25th August 2025
  • Milestone 3 (Final Film Delivery & NFT Launch) will be achieved by the end of 31st August 2025

Our entire production and distribution process, for which this grant is a crucial step, concludes within a concise time period of 1 month period, ensuring prompt delivery of the film and its associated Web3 assets.

Q8 Evaluation Factor – Disclosure

We are fully transparent about who benefits from this grant and how.

  • 1. The Content Chef
    • Associated with: Orex Prime (Production Company for “Nia”)
    • Link: https://x.com/kingmessang\\\_
    • How they benefit: As the founder, director, and producer of “Nia,” The Content Chef benefits directly through compensation for their creative direction, project management, and labor involved in bringing the film to fruition. This grant specifically covers essential production costs that directly enable the creation of the film, allowing for dedicated work on the project.
    • Benefit Type: Monetary (compensation for labor/time, covering project expenses).
  • 2. Orex Prime (Production Company)

    • Associated with: “Nia - The Onchain Journey of African Builders & Creators”

    • Link: https://x.com/OrexprimeAfric
      https://orex-prime.gitbook.io/orex-prime-documentation/
      http://www.orexprime.africa/

    • How they benefit: we at Orex Prime benefits by successfully producing and delivering a high-quality documentary film, fulfilling its mission to tell authentic African stories and innovate in Web3 media. The grant covers direct operational costs (e.g., equipment rental, crew stipends for editing, software licenses, marketing tools) necessary for film completion. The successful completion of “Nia” also enhances Orex Prime’s portfolio and reputation within both traditional and Web3 film production.

    • Benefit Type: Monetary (project funding/operational costs), brand visibility, portfolio enhancement.

  • 3. Featured African Builders & Creators
    • Associated with: Themselves (individual innovators, artists, tech founders in Africa).
    • How they benefit: While not directly monetarily from this specific grant (as it’s for production), the primary benefit to them is immense global visibility, authentic representation, and increased recognition for their work, potentially leading to new opportunities, partnerships, and investment. The film serves as a powerful platform for their stories to reach a wider audience than ever before.
    • Benefit Type: Non-monetary (increased visibility, recognition, networking opportunities).

How did you hear about the Sandbox DAO Grants Program?
A friend of mine from X told me about it and help onboarded me through a google meet meeting, his name is EKESON

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Inside the Sandbox
⭐ INFO THREAD! Lanzer's Domain Update Thread for Community Engagement & Charity
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The King Messang,

I’m so, so sorry. I won’t be able to approve a grant this involved if it delivers past Aug 30th.

But I love the idea of a documentary redefining the perception of African builders. What if we reshape it to a micro documentary of 10 minutes max. Do you think you could do that before August 30th? And how much would it cost?

Thoughts?

Also, what is NIA?

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Thank you so much, @Lanzer, for reviewing my documentation.
firstly, i can do a micro documentary of 10 - 30 minutes max, and it can be delivered before Aug 30th. i will just need to get extra hands and power to make it fast but still creative.
secondly it would cost me about $1500 to create a 30 minutes documentary delivered by august 30th.
Lastly, the title “NIA” was so personal and dear to my heart when i picked it; Nia means “purpose” in Swahili. It signifies a sense of aim, intention, or goal, representing the commitment to building and restoring communities.

i Hope to hear from you soon, and if there is anywhere to do the original documentary but with a shorter time frame, i am open to discussing what works with your calendar.

Thank you a lot for believing in our dreams and ideas.

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Go ahead and edit your original post #1 to reflect the 1500 and 30 min documentary before Aug 30th. I’ll evaluate after you make your edits.

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ok i will do that.

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i have made the changes

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You changed from

Global Premiere & NFT Launch"

to

Physical film premiere and NFT Viewing ticket:"

Does this mean you won’t be showing it on the internet?

Verification: Final film link, smart contract address for the NFT viewing tickets, and links to premiere announcement/NFT launch pages on Opensea.

So if they don’t buy an NFT ticket, they’ll be unable to view the documentary? How important are your NFT sales to your project?

Where is the adjustment to 10 to 30 minutes max?

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Gm @Lanzer, thanks for reaching out once again.
Firstly the typo change from “Global Premiere & NFT Launch” to “Physical film premiere and NFT Viewing ticket”: It is the same thing i was just trying to break it down to you for better understanding.

it just means that alongside creating the film, we intend to host a physical film premiere where people from different regions and diversities will gather to view the film, and then we will also use that medium to get their feedback and reviews, which we will also publish to help push publicity, but overall we will be releasing the film globally for everyone on the internet.

secondly we initiated the nft ticketing idea for 2 main reasons: to help onboard regular viewers on-chain by showing them how it works and helping them interact with the blockchain ecosystem through the nft mints.
then we started a fundraiser program before applying for this grant; the purpose was to help us raise the funds needed for this project in exchange for that, we promised to give out nft viewing tickets to our supporters.
this is the link to video proof of our fundraiser video: https://x.com/kingmessang_/status/1944700360867598439/video/1

Note this doesn’t mean that the NFTs cannot be free or that the viewing of the film is subject to ownership of an nft ticket; sincerely, the nft ticketing idea was also meant mostly for the physical film premiere attendees.

lastly, i have made the changes from feature film to 10 - 30 minutes documentary film to help us further expand our creative freedom, but if you have a specific time stamp you want us to work on, please do well to let us know.

Nia was originally created to showcase and spotlight african creators and builders globally, and we are saddled with doing just that. the nft tickets or physical premiere were just some creative ideas we thought would help push the marketing and publicity perspective of the film.
Overall we just want to see this project succeed.

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No need to adjust to a specific timestamp. I’d like to increase your grant from $1500 to $1650 USDC. Would this be enough for you to give us two versions? One is the normal version up to 30 minutes, and another is a version between 8 to 10 minutes.

Is that acceptable?

Also, please confirm that you understand these milestones are paid after the deliverables are published in this thread. Payment is not released before. If you need an up front payment, I need you to please rework your milestones so that you can deliver something acceptable for Milestone 1, like a storyboard. Propose only what you absolutely require to start. Milestone 2 would then require submission of raw footage and summary report.

Thoughts?

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Thank you so much for your response, @Lanzer.
Firstly, i would love to be clarified on the grant upgrade you stated.

In my email it states that you’d like to increase our grant from $1500 to $2000 USDC.

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But here, it states that you’d like to increase our grant from $1500 to $1650 USDC. So i would please want to be clarified on this.

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Secondly, Just to better understand you, you are saying that on completion of our shoot, we should edit two versions of the documentary, an 8-10 minute version & a 30 minutes version right?

Or are you asking that we do two separate documentaries but with the same narrative and storytelling, one of 8-10 minutes and the other of 30 minutes?

Then, about the milestone and funding sequence, I have updated it and have included the storyboard delivery in there too.

once again thank you, @Lanzer for the calm and subtle guidance; we are really grateful.
Hope to hear from you soon

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Yes, I originally stated $2K USDC but my calculation of how much I had left was wrong and modified it to $1650. Sorry about that.

we should edit two versions of the documentary, an 8-10 minute version & a 30 minutes version right?

Yes. I envision the 30 and 8 minute versions use all the same material, but 8 minute is just much shorter.

Please let me know when you have finished with your edits.

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Thank you for further explaining. that, I have made the necessary edits to the grant amount and measurable milestones; please review it and let me know what you think and the next steps to take.
Thank you for your patience so far with us.
We really appreciate @Lanzer

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Thanks. I don’t see where the 30 minutes and 8 minutes finals cuts are referenced in post #1, am I missing it?

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Sorry @Lanzer i didn’t highlight them before, but i have made those adjustments now:

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Ah! Thank you for pointing that out. I’m conducting your evaluation now, shouldn’t be much longer before I post it

In the meantime, would you mind fixing Q4 milestones 2 through 4 to look like Milestone 1? Screenshot below of what I mean

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Also please correct your X account’s handle. The link doesn’t work

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Evaluated on 7/30/2025 per Post #1

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Q1: Name of your Grant

  • Score: 5 of 5
  • Decision: Meets intent of the question. No additional input required.
  • Rationale: Unique name, has short description describing what it is.

Q2: Total Grant amount in USD ($)

  • Score: 5 of 5
  • Decision: Meets intent of the question. No additional input required.
  • Rationale: Thank you for incorporating feedback and accommodating the remaining budget (posts #2 through #14).

Q3: Evaluation Factor – Specific

  • Score: 5 of 5
  • Decision: Meets intent of the question. No additional input required.
  • Rationale: Description is clear on what this grant intends to achieve. Is explained in a way that does not require additional context.

Q4: Evaluation Factor – Measurable

  • Score: 5 of 5
  • Decision: Meets intent of the question. No additional input required.
  • Rationale: Projected to complete before Aug 31st. Offered 4 milestones, which are clear and reasonably distributed. Will receive both an 8 and 30 minute cut of the video.

Q5: Evaluation Factor – Accountable

  • Score: 4 of 5
  • Decision: Meets intent of the question. No additional input required.
  • Rationale: Both Messang and OrexPrime looks credible and like it can do this job. Per OrexPrime’s about us, looks like KingMessang (Richard) is co-founder of this company. The connection between the two are clear due to the email address provided.
  • From Grok: @kingmessang_ is a passionate Nigerian content creator and Web3 evangelist, mentored by @ GeeAkpan , who champions @ OrexprimeAfric
    and @ pepper_meme while inspiring creatives to never stop building on @ Base
    .kingmessang_ is hyping up a @ PronounsDAO Space event and looking for a female web3 dancer while vibing with crypto pals! The X community celebrates @kingmessang_ as a vibrant content creator, with @ GeeAkpan praising his growth and @HassyEssence cherishing his down-to-earth nature at #onchainsummer. @kingmessang_ ’s posts are a dynamic mix of Web3 promotion, community engagement, and motivational content. They leverage their platform to amplify projects like @ OrexprimeAfric and @ pepper_meme, while fostering connections within the @Base and broader Web3 community. Their posts are enthusiastic, collaborative, and reflective of their role as a mentor and creator.
  • From Grok: @OrexprimeAfric is a vibrant Web3 media crew, passionately amplifying creators’ stories through contests and community love, believing every project deserves a spotlight. OrexprimeAfric’s hyping the Web3 creative scene, rallying artists for a bold convention and sparking chats with fiery flair! The X community is buzzing with excitement for @ OrexprimeAfric, with @kingmessang_ and @ kokocodes praising their innovative creator support. @OrexprimeAfric’s posts effectively capture the spirit of Web3 by promoting creativity, community, and decentralization. Their vibrant tone and focus on creator empowerment resonate with the Web3 audience, as evidenced by positive community feedback. By incorporating more data-driven strategies and success stories, they could further amplify their impact in the competitive Web3 media landscape.

Q6: Evaluation Factor – Realistic

  • Score: 5 of 5

    Decision: Meets intent of the question. No additional input required.

  • Rationale: Value to the Sandbox ecosystem is clear with a documentary about the Sandbox ecosystem, specifically in the African region. Many grants approved within SDGP came from the West African region.

Q7: Evaluation Factor – Timely

  • Score: 4 of 5

    Decision: Meets intent of the question. No additional input required.

  • Rationale: Projected to complete before Aug 31st.

Q8: Evaluation Factor – Disclosure

  • Score: 4 of 5
  • Decision: Meets intent of the question. No additional input required.
  • Rationale: Grant author and company were findable. The connection between the two are clear due to the email address provided.

grant-accepted for 1650 USDC with 4 milestones and 8 deliverables. Congrats! :slightly_smiling_face:

A DM will be sent with guidance on KYB/KYC and invoicing.

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⭐ INFO THREAD! Lanzer's Domain Update Thread for Community Engagement & Charity
⭐ INFO THREAD! Lanzer's Domain Update Thread for Community Engagement & Charity
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Congratulations @kingmessang on your proposal approval.

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Thank you so much @Lanzer i will follow up the process

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I have made these corrections.⁣⁣ @Lanzer

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Yes, looks good, thanks Messang.

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