Calling all African screenwriters with groundbreaking series concepts! The AuthenticA Series Lab is back for its 4th edition, offering a unique six-month development program designed to propel your episodic stories onto the international stage.
Presented by the Realness Institute in partnership with The StoryBoard Collective, this transformative lab provides one-on-one mentorship and crucial industry access, nurturing authentic African voices. For the second consecutive year, The Canada Media Fund is also supporting the inclusion of a Canadian screenwriter from the African diaspora.
What the Program Offers
Running from September 3, 2025, to March 27, 2026, the AuthenticA Series Lab provides a hybrid professional development experience. Participants will engage in:
Online discussions, seminars, and one-on-one sessions.
In-person residencies in three international locations:
A 10-day residency in Cape Town, South Africa.
A two-month residency in Geneva, Switzerland.
A week-long industry immersion at Series Mania in Lille, France, Europe’s largest co-production series market and festival.
“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 and the program’s producing and showrunning mentor.
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Selina Ukwuoma, Director of Writing Programmes at Realness Institute and Lab co-designer, adds, “We’re looking for storytellers who aren’t afraid to say something urgent and real. The Lab provides space, mentorship, and a direct bridge to industry—to support each story to reach its full artistic and marketable potential.”
Proven Impact and Success
The AuthenticA Series Lab has a strong track record of success. The 2024 cohort successfully pitched their projects at the Series Mania Forum, attracting over 100 broadcasters, producers, and decision-makers. Many of these projects have since advanced into further development, demonstrating the program’s significant impact.
Tony Koros (Kenya), a 2024/25 alumnus whose project Money Town was selected for further development at The Red Sea Serieslab, shared his experience: “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.”
David Rimer, Founder of The StoryBoard Collective, emphasizes their commitment to empowering storytellers: “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. 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, highlights the continued partnership: “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.”
Jessica Lea Fleming, Director of Growth & Inclusion at The Canada Media Fund, also expressed her satisfaction: “Partnering with the Realness Institute over the last three years has been fulfilling and impactful. 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.”
How to Apply
The Lab is open to African screenwriters working in all genres of scripted episodic storytelling, including drama, comedy, thriller, and sci-fi. Writers retain full rights to their projects.
Four participants will be selected: three from Africa and one from Canada.
Applications are now open! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to bring your story to the global stage.