Introduction

The AuthenticA Series Lab, is brought to you by the Realness Institute in partnership with The StoryBoard Collective, a Swiss philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting the development and impact outreach of authentic and transformative stories. The third edition is additionally provided in collaboration with the Series Mania Forum and supported by the Canada Media Fund.

AuthenticA is open to all African screenwriters. The six-month programme, which will consist of a combination of online and in-person sessions, is set to take place from 8 September 2024 to 3 April 2025:

  • Residency in South Africa - 8 to 17 September 2024

  • Work from home with weekly online meetings - 18 September to 16 December 2024

  • Break - 17 December 2024 to 5 January 2025

  • Work from home with weekly online meetings - 6 January to 16 January 2025

  • Residency in Switzerland - 20 January to 3 April 2025. This includes a trip to Series Mania ( 21 to 28 March 2025)

AuthenticA will afford four African screenwriters the unique opportunity to develop their original stories, of all genres, in episodic form. On their story development journey, they will be accompanied by Story Expert and programme co-designer, Selina Ukwuoma, and Creative Producer, Mehret Mandefro.

The outcome of the programme is that each participant will deliver a Pitch Deck, a pilot script and a Bible of international standards. The rights to the material developed through the programme will remain with each writer.

Funding

Each of the four participants will receive a monthly stipend of 1,000 EUR for the duration of the programme. This is to help cover living expenses as they focus on developing their concept while being mentored.

All travel and accommodation for the South African, Swiss and Series Mania legs of the programme will be covered by the programme. Selected participants shall arrange and cover the costs of their visas and travel insurance.


Eligibility

  • Open to all African nationals

  • Age requirement: 18+

  • Writers with experience in either film or television

  •  If the writer is part of a writing team, only the applicant will be able to participate if selected

  • The story concept must be set in Africa, and the language of the produced work must be in English and/or a local language

  • The application form must be completed in English

  •  The programme will be delivered in English. Therefore, applicants must be able to speak English

  •  Open to all genres

  •  No producer/production company attachment is necessary

  • Willing to commit to 8 days in person in South Africa, 2 months in Switzerland, and attend the online sessions from home

Apply

Please Note: The call for applications for this programme has ended, and we are no longer accepting any new submissions.

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Programme Partner

We are grateful for our continued partnership with The StoryBoard Collective.

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