Realness Institute Opens AuthenticA Lab Applications For African Storytellers

Applications are now open for the fourth edition of the AuthenticA Series Lab, a six-month development programme designed to support African screenwriters working in scripted episodic storytelling.

Organised by Realness Institute in partnership with the Geneva-based StoryBoard Collective, the lab runs from 3 September 2025 to 27 March 2026. It offers a hybrid experience, combining online sessions with in-person residencies in South Africa, Switzerland, and France.

Targeted at writers working across all genres including drama, comedy, thriller, and sci-fi, the initiative provides one-on-one mentorship, industry exposure, and access to international platforms.

Participants will take part in a 10-day residency in Cape Town, a two-month residency in Geneva, and a final week-long immersion at the Series Mania Forum in Lille, Europe’s leading series co-production market.

“This lab is more than a script development programme, it’s an opportunity for writers to find their voice in a supported environment,” said Mehret Mandefro, Interim Managing Director of Realness Institute.

Lab co-designer Selina Ukwuoma added, “We’re looking for writers with bold, urgent stories. AuthenticA provides the structure and access to help them develop those stories for global audiences.”

The Canada Media Fund returns as a partner for the second year, supporting one Canadian writer of African descent alongside three African participants.

Previous editions have already shown measurable success. Kenyan writer Tony Koros, a 2024/25 alumnus, advanced his project “Money Town” to the Red Sea SeriesLab after presenting at Series Mania.

“AuthenticA was a creative reawakening,” Koros said. “It pushed me to write more honestly and reconnect with why I write.”

Applications close Friday, 11 July 2025, at 16h00 SAST. Writers retain full rights to their projects.

To apply or learn more, visit here or email submissions@realness.institute.