By Sharlene Versfeld
Published May 14, 2023
African episodic screenwriters are invited to apply for the second edition of AuthenticA Series Lab by June 14, 2023. The six-month programme is scheduled to run September 19, 2023 – March 30, 2024.
The AuthenticA Series Lab is offered to four African screenwriters from African countries and the Diaspora working in any genre. The aim is to give episodic screenwriters an indispensable opportunity to bolster their craft, enhance their skills and highlight genuine, up-to-date viewpoints about the continent that frequently receives inaccurate and inauthentic representation.
The six-month programme comprises a combination of online and in-person sessions in a variety of locations from 19 September 2023 to 30 March 2024.
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“This programme is the dream to have enough time to immerse oneself in the development of a series one is passionate about, among like-minded peers, without having to worry about keeping a roof over your head,” says Story Expert Mentor Selina Ukwuoma and co-designer of the programme. “The first cohort of writers grabbed that opportunity and really made an impact at Series Mania.”
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“Providing African writers the time, space, and support to create brave episodic stories gives them what they need to build new worlds and circulate perspectives that widen what global audiences understand about Africa – from Africans,” says Mehret Mandefro, Co-Founder and Director of Development and Partnerships at Realness. “The relationships and community they build with their peers, along the way, is also part of the curatorial magic we hope to replicate.”
“StoryBoard is convinced of the power TV series have in shaping new shared narratives, as well as bringing culturally and geographically diverse people together. Our first edition confirmed the interest international funders have in talented scriptwriters voicing African stories that showcase authentic and unapologetic cultural perspectives,” says David Rimer, Founder of The StoryBoard Collective, a Geneva-based philanthropic organisation that supports the development and impact outreach of transformative stories.
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“The first edition was a great success. We sense a great desire for creation in many African countries,” says Laurence Herszberg, General Director of Series Mania. “Séries Mania wants to be the gateway for those projects to the industry, as we know that there is a strong interest from the international professionals.”
Once again, Story Expert Selina Ukwuoma and Creative Producer Mehret Mandefro will mentor the cohort through their creative process. They will participate in online mentorships and sessions over six months as well as attend in-person residencies in South Africas at the Coot Club, and the StoryBoard House in Switzerland, culminating with their pitches at the Series Mania Forum 2024 in France.
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AuthenticA 2022 alumnus Jessica Hagan speaks of her experience in the programme: “AuthenticaA Series Lab was truly an invaluable experience with support, masterclasses, and sessions where we were able to work as a group and get feedback. I felt supported all the way, especially on pitch day when I was more confident to pitch the project to producers and development executives. My TV series is now in development with a massive UK-based global production company who are passionate about premium content from around the world, including Africa. I’ve also made friends for life with my cohort; we’re constantly checking in on one another!”
Participants will work towards completing a Concept Story Pitch Deck and a pilot script. The rights of the developed work will remain with each writer. A monthly stipend, travel, and accommodation costs are covered by AuthenticA.
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AuthenticA Series Lab is the initiative of Realness Institute in partnership with the Storyboard Collective and with the support of Series Mania Forum and the French Embassy in South Africa and the French Institute of South Africa.
More information on the criteria and the application process are online at realness.institute/authentica-series-lab website while applications are to be emailed to submissions@realness.institute.