Applications Open for the 4th AuthenticA Series Lab
African screenwriters with bold, original series ideas are invited to apply for the 4th edition of the AuthenticA Series Lab, a transformative six-month development programme designed to elevate episodic storytelling from the continent to the global stage.
Presented by Realness Institute in partnership with The StoryBoard Collective, the Geneva-based philanthropic organisation that supports the development and impact outreach of transformative stories, the Lab nurtures authentic African voices, offering one-on-one mentorship and industry access. Additionally, The Canada Media Fund returns as a funder for the second year, supporting the inclusion of one Canadian screenwriter from the African diaspora.
Running from 3 September 2025 to 27 March 2026, the programme offers a hybrid professional development experience for African screenwriters from all genres of scripted episodic storytelling. The Lab combines online discussions, seminars, and one-on-ones, with in-person residencies at three international locations: a 10-day residency in Cape Town, South Africa, a 2-month residency in Geneva, Switzerland, culminating in a week-long industry immersion at Series Mania in Lille, France, Europe’s largest co-production series market and festival attracting sales agents, talent scouts, distributors, broadcasters and investors.
“This Lab is more than a script development programme – it’s an opportunity for writers to unearth what they are unable to say in a supported environment and get closer to their voices,” says Mehret Mandefro, Interim Managing Director of Realness Institute.
Director of Writing Programmes at Realness Institute and Lab co-designer Selina Ukwuoma joins Mandefro, who is the producing and showrunning mentor, in guiding the cohort. “We’re looking for storytellers who aren’t afraid to say something urgent and real,” says Ukwuoma. “The Lab provides space, mentorship, and a direct bridge to industry—to support each story to reach its full artistic and marketable potential.”
The 2024 cohort pitched their projects at the Series Mania Forum in France in March this year, drawing an audience of over 100 broadcasters, producers, and decision-makers. Since then, many have advanced into further development—proof of the programme’s impact.
2024/25 alumnus, Tony Koros (Kenya) who presented his project Money Town at Series Mania, which has been selected for further development at The Red Sea Serieslab has this to say about AuthenticA: “It was more than a workshop. It was a creative reawakening. The programme pushed me to write with more honesty and less fear. It challenged me to reconnect with why I write in the first place and gave me good friends and great wine to hold my hand through it. It produced some of my best work.”
“Because we believe in the power of storytelling as a tool for narrative change, we are committed to giving writers the time and resources they need to develop their own authentic projects,” says David Rimer, Founder: The StoryBoard Collective. “After three editions, we have seen the AuthenticA programme gain international recognition and make a meaningful impact on the careers of our alumni.”
Francesco Capurro – Series Mania Forum Director says, “We’re proud to continue our collaboration with the Realness Institute and the StoryBoard Collective on the AuthenticA Series Lab, which is now well established. This initiative has proven its worth in supporting emerging talent. Africa is a rich source of unique voices and compelling stories, and Series Mania is committed to showcasing them on the global stage.”
“Partnering with the Realness Institute over the last three years has been fulfilling and impactful,” says Jessica Lea Fleming, Director of Growth & Inclusion at The Canada Media Fund. “The AuthenticA Series Lab empowers storytellers, including the Canadian-African participant, by developing skills that boost careers, grow companies, and increase market access. We are proud to support a program that aligns so well with the actions in our 2024-2027 EDIA Strategy.”
The Lab is open to African screenwriters working in all genres of scripted episodic or series storytelling, including drama, comedy, thriller, sci-fi, amongst others. Writers retain full rights to their projects. Four participants will be selected from the submissions – three from Africa and one from Canada.
Applications are currently open, closing on Friday 11 July 2025 (16h00 SAST). To apply or learn more: https://www.realness.institute/authentica-series-lab Or contact: submissions@realness.institute