The Realness Institute, in partnership with the StoryBoard Collective and the Canada Media Fund, has unveiled the four African participants selected for the 2025 AuthenticA Series Lab, an innovative programme designed to nurture original episodic storytelling from the continent and its diaspora.
Now in its fourth edition, the AuthenticA Series Lab provides selected screenwriters with a unique opportunity to develop their concepts into polished pitch decks, pilot scripts, and series “Bibles” that meet international production standards while retaining full ownership of their intellectual property.
The Four Selected Storytellers
This year’s AuthenticA cohort brings together four award-winning creatives whose diverse backgrounds and storytelling styles represent the richness of African narratives:
- Gamel Apalayine (Ghana) – An acclaimed Ghanaian storyteller known for his work in film, TV, theatre, and music, including writing for MultiChoice Ghana’s hit series DEDE and Showmax’s original drama ENO.
- Joladé Olusanya (Nigeria/UK) – A Nigerian-British poet, filmmaker, and photographer whose multimedia storytelling explores themes of identity, masculinity, and belonging, with work featured by BBC, FIFA, CHANEL, and The Guardian.
- Mona Ombogo (Kenya) – An award-winning Kenyan scriptwriter and bestselling author, recognized for head-writing the hit Netflix series Volume and contributing to celebrated productions like Single Kiasi and Salem.
- Reem Morsi (Egypt/Canada) – An internationally acclaimed filmmaker and human rights advocate, whose short films have screened at festivals including TIFF and who is currently developing multiple TV series and feature films.
The AuthenticA Series Lab kicks off with an eight-day in-person residency in Stanford, Western Cape, South Africa, from 3 to 10 September 2025. This will be followed by virtual workshops running through December, before participants embark on two additional residencies:
- Geneva, Switzerland — 19 January to 19 March 2026
- Lille, France — 20 to 27 March 2026
The programme culminates with the African Series Pitch at the prestigious Series Mania Forum in Lille, Europe’s largest co-production market and festival, where the participants will present their projects to investors, broadcasters, distributors, and talent scouts from around the world.
The 2025 edition will be led by an accomplished team of African and global screenwriting and production experts:
- Mehret Mandefro — Emmy-nominated producer, writer, and Interim Managing Director of the Realness Institute, serving as Director of Producing and Showrunning.
- Selina Ukwuoma — Award-winning freelance script consultant and Director of Writing Programmes, renowned for mentoring emerging African talent.
- Mmabatho Kau — A veteran South African producer, broadcaster, and script consultant with over 20 years’ experience, joining as a Story Expert.
- Thandeka Zwana — A versatile story consultant and curator, appointed as Creative Producer, with experience at leading film festivals and distribution platforms.
Speaking about the programme, Mandefro said:
“Giving African writers the time and space to get closer to their voice remains a critical intervention in a landscape that underinvests in the pre-writing and writing phases of development.”
Ukwuoma added:
“We see a well of untapped potential from storytellers across Africa, and our job is to show them how they can take audiences on their journeys.”
Empowering African Voices on a Global Stage
The AuthenticA Series Lab has rapidly become a premier incubator for African episodic content, creating a platform where emerging voices meet global opportunities.
David Rimer, Founder of the StoryBoard Collective, highlighted the programme’s global impact:
“Through AuthenticA, we are proud to support African storytellers whose diverse voices and bold stories strengthen the global conversation and connect us with international audiences.”
Jessica Lea Fleming, Director of Growth & Inclusion at the Canada Media Fund, added:
“Our collaboration with the Realness Institute continues to offer career-changing opportunities while centering the unique perspectives of African and African-diasporic communities.”
Francesco Capurro, Director of the Series Mania Forum, praised the initiative:
“The AuthenticA Series Lab has established itself as one of the most exciting incubators for African series, and we are delighted to welcome such a promising group of participants.”
This year’s programme attracted 168 applications spanning 24 countries and covering over 30 genres of television series, underscoring the rising appetite for high-quality African content in the global entertainment market.
Kenya’s selection of Mona Ombogo for the 2025 AuthenticA Series Lab underscores the country’s growing role in shaping global entertainment.
Ombogo’s achievements — from winning the 2024 Women in Film Award for Best Scriptwriter to head-writing Netflix’s hit series Volume — highlight Kenya’s emergence as a regional hub for film and television production. Her participation is expected to further elevate Kenya’s creative industries on the international stage.
By investing in African writers, the Realness Institute and its partners are not only shaping the future of television and streaming but also positioning Africa as a key player in the global content economy.
The programme’s impact extends beyond training — it amplifies authentic African voices, connects storytellers to global markets, and builds a pipeline of world-class episodic content for streaming platforms, broadcasters, and investors.
