Realness Institute together with the StoryBoard Collective has announced the 2024 edition of the AuthenticA Series Lab, a screenwriters’ development program. Screenwriters across Africa have been invited to apply for this year’s program. Deadline for applications is June 7, 2024.
Now in its third edition, the AuthenticA Series Lab has proven to be a valuable springboard for African storytellers to elevate their craft and amplify authentic voices from the continent. The Lab allows screenwriters to engage in a community of like-minded peers, free from usual distractions, and become fully focused on bringing their ideas to life.
Four screenwriters will be selected for the program, which will be conducted both online, and physically, from 8th September, 2024 to 3rd April, 2025. The selected screenwriters, using their already existing story concepts, will work with industry experts in a program that includes mentorship, seminars, and workshops, as well as networking.
The Lab culminates in their attendance at Series Mania, in March 2025, in Lille France, the largest co-production series festival in Europe. Here they will pitch their projects to decision makers, commissioners, broadcasters, and producers. The writers all retain the rights to their projects.
Established film industry development veterans Selina Ukwuoma and Mehret Mandefro will mentor the cohort, supporting and encouraging creativity and collaboration. They will also assist the screenwriters with developing workable ‘sales pitches’ for their ideas.
Elias Ribeiro, co-designer and Director of the program, will provide the cohort with valuable insights on market readiness, along with industry expert guest speakers. In previous editions, guest speakers have included Cynthia Okoye, Talent Agent, Theatre, Film & Television Department, Curtis Brown Literary and Talent Agency, Sameer Gardezi, Founder and CEO, Break the Room Media, Frank Spotnitz, Executive Producer and CEO, Big Light Productions and Femi Odugbemi Founder and CEO, Zuri24 Media.
Both the 2022 and 2023 cohorts of the Lab pitched their stories at Series Mania where there was significant interest in their series projects with an attendance of over 150 people per edition, as well as online delegates. The success of the inaugural edition garnered rave reviews from industry experts and sparked lucrative deals with investors for all the 2022 projects now aligned to producers for further development. The 2023 cohort is currently in negotiations following their attendance this year.
In 2022, Kenya’s Angela Wamai was among African screenwriters selected for the AuthenticA Series Lab.
To apply, go here realness.institute/authentica-series-lab.