Announcing the Participants of the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy Hosted by Realness Institute

Realness Institute has announced the six African film professionals selected for the third edition of its highly successful Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy(SALIA), a prestigious programme fostering talent in the film and television industry on the continent.

Left to right : Top Awoua Keita Epse Diallo (Côte d'Ivoire), Bethlehem Tesfu Estifanos (Ethiopia), Duwayne Murphy (South Africa).Bottom: Mphumelelo Mnisi (Eswatini), Rehima Awol Ibrahim (Ethiopia), Tshiamo Malatji (South Africa).

SALIA is a collaboration between Realness Institute, the Locarno Film Festival with the support of The Story Board Collective which takes place in partnership at FAME Week Africa. It aims to support the development of young film professionals working in sales, traditional and online film distribution, theatrical exhibition, and programming for festivals, and archives. 

This year the programme takes place during FAME Week Africa from 1 to 7 September in Cape Town, with the programme will be led by Elias Ribeiro, director of Realness. Participants will be given the opportunity to network with global experts, attend masterclasses, workshops, and panel discussions. 

David Rimer, Founder of the Story Board Collective a Geneva-based organisation dedicated to advancing transformative storytelling, says, “StoryBoard recognizes the significant role that programs like the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy play in advancing the careers of emerging African film professionals. By bridging local talent with international industry leaders, these initiatives help to enrich the film industry with diverse and authentic voices,” 

“We're excited for a new great edition of the Salia, for which our partners at Realness draft each year a strong and more interesting programme, which enables to create an incredible professional network in the region,” says Markus Dufner, Head of Industry, Locarno Film Festival.

“We are grateful to our partners and with the opportunity to hold space for distribution, one of the most fractured parts of the value chain in the audiovisual business in Africa,” says Elias Ribeiro  Realness Institute Co-founder. 

Participants include:

Awoua Keita Epse Diallo (Côte d'Ivoire) the Acquisitions Director at COTE OUEST, who brings over 15 years of experience in content acquisition, including work with American studios, telenovela producers, and European distributors. 

Bethlehem Tesfu Estifanos (Ethiopia) is the Festival Coordinator for the Addis International Film Festival (AIFF) on Human Rights. 

Duwayne Murphy (South Africa)
 focuses on environmental issues through film and is the Founding Director of the Roots Film Festival, and has worked on international films and significant projects like iKasi Voices Season 2. 

Mphumelelo Mnisi (Eswatini) is the Head of Programmes for Eswatini TV who has played a pivotal role in shaping the public broadcaster's programming and content strategies.

Rehima Awol Ibrahim (Ethiopia)
is an expert in television programming and media research, and a key figure at Kana Television since 2016, who has served as a jury member for the International Emmy Awards since 2018.

Tshiamo Malatji (South Africa)
is a filmmaker and exhibitor, who directs the CineBa! Film Club and Festival in Bloemfontein. 

For more information about the participants and the programme, please visit www.realness.institute

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Unlocking Leadership Excellence as Creative Producer Indaba Gathers Global Talent

Fifteen accomplished producers hailing from various corners of the globe have been selected to participate in the third edition of the Creative Producer Indaba (CPI).

This highly respected film industry professional development programme begins with an open assembly on 6 November, after which the cohort will attend the renowned Atlas Workshops, the dynamic industry programme of the Marrakech International Film Festival, Morocco from 25 November to 1 December where they will  focus on legal and financial aspects of their work, as well as their own career development. Following this, they will attend the International Film Festival Rotterdam (Netherlands) from 25 January to 2 February, 2024 where the programme will focus on marketing, sales and story development. The Indaba then culminates in a programme of online sessions from 8 to 12 April 2024.

The Creative Producer Indaba, conceived by Realness Institute under the leadership of programme director Elias Ribeiro, a Cape Town (SA) based NPO, has formed strategic alliances with noteworthy industry players such as EAVE, International Film Festival Rotterdam's IFFR Pro, and Atlas Workshops. Furthermore, in an effort to expand the Realness Network into the Global South, it has collaborated with the Brazilian foundation Projeto Paradiso, facilitating the participation of a Brazilian producer with interest in producing African projects.

"We're thrilled to welcome new collaborators on board, including the Canadian Film Fund, the Austrian Film Fund, Training Institute Focal, Jeune Création Francophone fund, and the NFVF. Their support is a tremendous boost for the future sustainability of this vital program" says Elias Ribeiro, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Realness Institute.

The CPI offers this unique opportunity to 10 African producers, with and without projects, as well as 5 international producers to bolster their leadership and entrepreneurial capabilities, refine their production skills, and foster professional networks that span across both Africa and the international stage.

Having made significant contributions to the African film landscape Adja Mariam Soro (Côte d’Ivoire), Chloé Ortolé (Senegal), Dantagos Jimmy-Melani (Namibia), Godisamang Khunou (South Africa) and Nomusa Nkabinde (South Africa), are all seeking their next landmark venture and will use this opportunity to network, engage and seek out projects to become involved in.

Actively seeking international collaborators and financial backing to bring their visionary creations to life, African producers with projects in development include Dhia Jerbi (Tunisia), Kudakwashe Maradzika (South Africa/Zimbabwe), Misha Maseka (Zambia), Stefan Supplice (Morocco) and Tapiwa Chipfupa (Zimbabwe).

The international producers include Anouk Shad (Austria), Marie Ka and Sherien Barsoum (Canada), Rhea Plangg (Switzerland), and Yolanda Barroso (Brazil), who joins the CPI with an interest in investing and engaging with African film projects.

An impressive ensemble of industry experts will mentor the filmmakers – including Group Leaders Mehret Mandefro and Diana Elbaum, Story consultant and Creative Producer 2022 alumnus Tracey Lee Rainers. And, as part of the programme the cohort will be able to engage with seasoned ad highly experienced industry experts such as Femi Odugbemi, Sata Cissokho, Constanza Arena and Dayo Ogunyemi, and IFFR Festival Director Vanja Kaludjercic, who will share their skills, insights, and guidance.

Mehret Mandefro, the Director of Development and Partnership at the Realness Institute says “Training and connecting producers that can skillfully develop African stories and finance them for both the local and global market is a critical intervention.”

“EAVE is proud to partner again and contribute with our methodology for the third edition of  INDABA with an incredibly strong cohort of African and international producers who will enhance their entrepreneurial and producing skills and become part of a thriving professional support network through their participation,” says Kristina Trapp, the CEO of EAVE.

Vanja Kaldudjercic  IFFR Festival Director says “The Indaba is a powerful example of the importance of lasting bonds in our industry, both between the exciting talent on the programme and our partners at Realness, EAVE, the Atlas Workshops, and everyone else who makes this programme possible. We're delighted we can continue to develop the skills and creativity of these producers, and we look forward to another fruitful edition.”

Head of Atlas Workshops at Marrakech IFF, Hédi Zardi says “Our collaboration with the program Creative Producer Indaba is very inspiring because it actively participates in the dynamic that we create within the Atlas Workshops. Indaba helps us anchor our support for the African producers of tomorrow. Creativity can only rhyme with diversity.”

The Realness Institute acknowledges the support of Institut Français d’Afrique du Sud, the Brazilian foundation Projeto Paradiso, the Austrian Film Institute, The Canada Media Fund, the Austrian Film Institute, The Swiss training organisation Focal and The Storyboard Collective, the Jeune Création Francophone fund and in partnership with European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE), International Film Festival Rotterdam Pro (IFFR Pro), and Marrakech International Film Festival (Atlas Workshops).

For more information and submission details, please visit the Realness Institute website at https://www.realness.institute/creative-producer-indaba

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Realness Announces Participants for Second Edition of Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy

Nine female film industry professionals from Africa have been selected to participate in the second edition of the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy – a dynamic and innovative film industry development programme presented by Realness Institute in partnership with the Locarno Film Festival and with the support of The Story Board Collective.

The programme aims to support, upskill and network young film professionals working in distribution and sales, festival programming, theatrical exhibition, and other related sectors of the industry.

Participants of the 2023 Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy : Tope l-r: Lerato Bokako (South Africa), Nozipho Swelindawo (South Africa),  Abulele Njisane (South Africa), Middle l-r: Anga Mqingwana (South Africa), Khanyisile Zondi (South Africa), Lucinda Van de Rheede (South Africa), Bottom L-R: Seggen Mikael (Eritrea/ Germany), Taryn Joffe (South Africa), Victoria Ogar (Nigeria) 

The participants are:

Abulele Njisane (South Africa) - lecturer in Cinema Studies at the School of Arts, Media and Cultural Studies department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

Lerato Bokako (South Africa) – film festival programmer and features writer.

Taryn Joffe (South Africa) - Festival Programmer and Industry Coordinator at Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, curator and writer. 

Anga Mqingwana (South Africa) -producer with Big World Cinema team in Cape Town as a Production and Distribution Co-ordinator.

Khanyisile Zondi (South Africa)- founder of Sinema Agency, a start-up specialising in film marketing, public relations, and distribution.

Nozipho Swelindawo (South Africa) - founder and co-director of Mbudu Community Art Centre. 

Victoria Ogar (Nigeria) - film account manager at Filmone Entertainment 

Lucinda Van de Rheede (South Africa) - entrepreneur, writer and freelance line producer and researcher.

Seggen Mikael (Eritrea/ Germany) - freelance cultural manager, programmer and writer, Film Festival Programmer at DOK.fest Munich and Industry Programmer at the European Film Market (Berlinale).

"We are thrilled to witness the Academy gearing up for this year’s edition during the highly anticipated FAME Week,” says Markus Duffner, Head of Locarno Pro, and Marion Klotz, Industry Academy Project Manager. “We love that all the selected participants are women, as the global film industry requires more female voices to be heard. We believe that this initiative will help propel young professionals into the vibrant tapestry of the local and international film industry network. We look forward to the transformative impact it will have on the next generation of filmmakers.”

“We believe this to be one of our most necessary industry initiatives,” says Elias Ribeiro co-founder and Executive Director of Realness Institute and Regional Manager of Locarno Southern Africa Industry Academy. “Before producers can deliver their content to African audiences through established and profitable distribution avenues on a large scale, we will remain dependent on the North structures. Our content is also worth less than in its primary market, where it is most relevant. The emergence of solid distribution operations is urgent and costly, so we need to innovate while we develop and build.”

The Locarno Southern Africa Industry Academy takes place during FAME Week Africa in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 to 9 September this year. FAME Week Africa is a growing platform for the development and networking of the creative industries on the continent.

"In the heart of MIP Africa at FAME Week Africa, the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy emerges as a transformative platform, empowering African film professionals to unlock their potential,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director: FAME Week Africa. “Through mentorship, networking, and curated programming, we pave the way for their journey into the global entertainment industry, celebrating diverse voices and captivating stories that will shape the future of African cinema.”

The participants will be given the opportunity to network with global experts, attend masterclasses, workshops, and panel discussions. They will also contribute to curating the short film programme, under the mentorship of Academy alumnus Lyse Nsengiyumva (Rwanda) which will be showcased at The Labia Cinema in Cape Town from 7 to 9 September and will feature conversations with high-profile filmmakers and Q & A’s.

“As an alumnus of the first edition of the Academy, I’m thrilled and honoured to be part of this prestigious programme again, this time around as an artistic director of the Short Film Festival,” says Nsengiyumva. “I will be working closely with these professionals to curate a balanced and vibrant programme that promises to resonate with audiences. It is an extraordinary privilege to be involved with the Realness Institute which has been unwavering in its support of African cinema.

Victoria Ogar (Nigeria) says that she is looking forward to meeting new people, learning about new cultures through the films, and having a fulfilling experience.”The sheer magnitude of having to consider the films submitted at the festivals through a selection process to explore the audience's potential and satisfaction will be a lifetime achievement for my career growth in the film space."

“I hope to gain a  wider valuable network of African film professionals and that the programme will empower us to promote African cinema globally and elevate its presence on the international stage,” says Seggen Mikael (Eritrea/ Germany).

Khanyisile Zondi (South Africa) looks forward to gaining insights into distribution through the Academy to help affirm her vision to contribute towards the development of film in Africa: “My aspirations for the distribution industry revolve around fostering an inclusive ecosystem and leveraging technology to facilitate easier access for filmmakers across the continent to sales agents, aggregators, and distribution networks.”

Many mentors and experts will be supporting these young professionals in looking for systems and innovations in this distribution sector including amongst others Dennis Ruh (European Film Market Director), Pamela Bienzobas (Locarno Film Festival - member of the feature film selection committee), Lyse Nsengiyumva (International Film Festival Rotterdam Programmer), Constanza Arenas (Luz Agency and Marketing Expert), Sydelle Willow Smith (Sunshine Cinema), Claire Diao (Sudu Connexion) and Elias Ribeiro.

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Realness Institute announces participants for the 2023 Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship in partnership with Netflix

Realness Institute has announced 12 participants from five African countries for the 2023 Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship (DET) programmes in partnership with Netflix, which began on Sunday, 30 April, and runs for three months.

The two cohorts each comprise six participants who hail from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.  Episodic Lab participants include Amanda Gicharu and Juma Adero (Kenya), Emil Garuba (Nigeria), Gabe Gabriel, Jason Staggie and Vanishia Kisten (South Africa). 

These participants will work towards refining their skills as episodic screenwriters and develop their story ideas. At the end of the programme they will have the opportunity to pitch their stories to Netflix Content executives.

The DET cohort includes Damilola Aleje and Mimi Bartels (Nigeria), Sphe Dlulu and Tshenolo Mabale (South Africa), Sue-Ellen Chitunya (Zimbabwe), and Tricia L. Sello (Botswana).

In the DET Traineeship, participants will obtain a more profound comprehension of the process of story development and be guided through a holistic approach to supporting writers in their creative process. Working in teams to support the creative development of the Episodic Lab Participants' projects, they will ultimately help them transfer their story concept into polished pitch decks to be able to pitch their projects to Netflix for a first look deal.

This cohort will be mentored by Elias Ribeiro (Executive Director of Realness and Founder and Creative Producer at Urucu Media), Mehret Mandefro (Director of Development and Partnerships at Realness and Founder and Creative Producer at Truth Aid (USA) and A51 (Ethiopia)), Selina Ukwuoma (an independent Story Expert) and Thandeka Zwana (Development Executive at Indigenous Film Distribution. Twelve international guest speakers will present to the participants including Anna Winger, Showrunner of Unorthodox and Creator of Transatlantic, and Christopher Mack, Director, Grow Creative at Netflix. Content executives from Netflix will also engage with the participants in the 12-week programme.

“Now in its third edition the Episodic Lab and DET Traineeship has not only empowered screenwriters and creative producers by gaining profound experience in the creative process but has also produced some exciting outcomes,” says Elias Ribeiro. “It is very rewarding to see that each year of the incubator has led to a green light for alumni Kudi Maradzika (South Africa) and Voline Ogutu (Kenya) whose projects are currently in different stages of development following their pitches.

“This year’s selection of writers and development trainees once again shows the caliber of talent we have in our African creatives,” says Thandeka Zwana. “We are thrilled to welcome them to the third iteration of the Episodic Lab and DET.”

For more information on Realness Institute programmes go to https://www.realness.institute

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Call for Submissions: Realness/Netflix Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship 2023 Inbox

 Realness Institute in partnership with Netflix, the world’s leading entertainment streaming service, has opened the calls for submissions to its 2023 Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship (DET) programmes which will take place from 30 April to 30 July 2023.

The Lab and Traineeship aim to support screenwriters and mid-career industry professionals from Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya who are seeking opportunities to develop their original story ideas in any genre and are looking to enhance their skills as story consultants respectively.

Bringing together a wealth of creative talent from Africa in these programmes, Realness Institute offers the Episodic Lab participants the opportunity to pitch their incubated stories to Netflix executives at the end of the programme. It also offers DET participants a deeper understanding of the story development process, exposure to a more nuanced approach in the support of writers whilst simultaneously holding writers accountable for their creative work. 

To support the participants to focus on their involvement in the programmes, Realness Institute will provide a monthly stipend of ZAR 33,000 (Thirty-Three Thousand South African Rands) for the duration of the Lab and traineeship to help cover their living expenses.

“As filmmakers we understand how difficult it is to find time and space to focus on our creative processes: to unpack stories, mull over and bounce ideas off others, benchmark ourselves against our peers as we hustle to make films, and pitch and search for funding and finance,” says Mehret Mandefro, Director of Development and Partnerships, Realness Institute. “In understanding this landscape, we are delighted that Netflix has once again partnered with us, to bring these two symbiotic programmes for African filmmakers in our joint quest to grow African stories and content on the continent.”

While there is no guarantee that any proposal will be developed further by Netflix, it is a unique opportunity to interface at key milestones with Netflix executives and be afforded the opportunity to pitch. The 2022 Episodic Lab alumnus, Voline Ogutu from Kenya pitched an idea for a romance crime thriller Dilemma that has received a greenlight from Netflix for further development.

Reacting to her story idea being selected for further development, Voline Ogutu, who has now started to turn her attention to next steps which include Writers’ Room planning, says, “I am honored and grateful to be part of this rare opportunity. To those who dream of telling African stories on the global stage, it is truly within your reach. Thank you to the Netflix and Realness team who were part of this process.”

Commenting on Netflix’s partnership with Realness Institute, Allison Triegaardt, Manager for GROW Creative Africa at Netflix says, “We are so thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Realness Institute for the 2023 edition.  It is such a great opportunity to find, grow and nurture African storytellers and their uniquely African stories by giving them the time and resources they need to fully realize their vision and someday share their stories with a global audience.”

The Lab and Traineeship take place online and then for a week in-person in July 2023 at the Coot Club in Stanford, Western Cape.

Interested participants are encouraged to visit https://www.realness.institute/episodic-lab for Episodic Lab programme application and https://www.realness.institute/det for Development Executive Traineeship programme application and wait to be shortlisted.

Application submissions open October 26th and close on 22nd December 2022.

To know more about the Realness Institute and its programmes, visit www.realness.institute.

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Opportunity for 15 Producers to participate in the second Creative Producer Indaba

Submissions have opened for the second Creative Producer Indaba, the professional development programme offered by the Realness Institute, in partnership with EAVE, International Film Festival Rotterdam’s IFFR Pro, and the Marrakech International Film Festival’s Atlas Workshops.

The Creative Producer Indaba (CPI) offers 15 Producers an opportunity to further develop their producer-related leadership and entrepreneurial proficiencies and build on their creative skills.

2020 CPI Cohort: From top left: Oluwaseun Babalola (US/Sierre Leone), Carol Kioko (Kenya), Souleymane Kebe (Senegal),  Frank Hoeve (Netherlands), Wafa Tajdin (Kenya)

Middle row from left : Maia Lekow (Kenya), Dina Emam (Egypt), Israel Mehari (Ethiopia), Flavia Motsisi (South Africa), Lesedi Oluko Moche (SA/Uganda), Thomas Kaske (Germany)

Bottom row from left: Thomas Hakim (France), Toni Kamau (Kenya), Yolanda Ncokotwana (South Africa), Lara Sousa (Mozambique), Chioma Onyenwe (Nigeria), Melissa Adeyemo (US/Nigeria).

"Strong creative producers with connections to international financing serve as engines that can spur local media markets to grow, adapt, and thrive. Our ultimate aim is to strengthen the pool of capable producers on the continent that can help drive the growth of our respective local markets and to equip these producers with the skills, community, and resources they need to develop and finance our stories," says Mehret Mandefro, Director of Development and Partnership, Realness Institute.

The programme comprises plenary sessions and group work, unpacking successful case studies, and having access to individual meetings with mentors and guest experts. As this is a producer-facing development programme, the focus will be on project development and planning, financing, legal, PR and marketing, advocacy and lobbying, organisational development, network management, and leadership. 

Kristen Trapp, CEO at EAVE says, “Knowledge sharing leads to progress and EAVE is a community committed to sharing experience and expertise in order to sustain and transform the business in a collaborative effort. EAVE is proud to be a partner of Creative Producer Indaba for the second year to help foster a community of strong producers and industry leaders in Africa and build bridges on the continent as well as internationally.”

The programme is anchored by two workshops. Workshop 1 has online sessions from 9 – 12 November 2022 followed by in-person sessions at Atlas Workshops from 14-17 November 2022 during Marrakech International Film Festival. Workshop 2 has in-person sessions at the International Film Festival Rotterdam from 26 January to 2 February 2023.

“We are very proud and excited to be part of Indaba again, a programme that has proven to be pivotal in producers’ careers," says Inke van Loocke, Manager CineMart & Rotterdam Lab. "It not only brings their skills to the next level, but it consolidates their creative approach to projects and running a company in a sustainable way. One of the best parts of Indaba is the bridges that are built, nurturing not only individual careers but the industry as a whole. We look forward to the creative exchange and exploring all the opportunities and challenges that will arise during the workshop together with the participants, experts, and partners."

“Highlights worth mentioning from the 2020 edition were industry insights from Christopher Mack, Director of Grow Creative at Netflix, Makhosazana Khanyile from the National Film and Video Foundation in South Africa, ex-Director of Sundance, Tabitha Jackson, and Vanja Kaludjercic, Festival Director at International Film Festival Rotterdam,” says Elias Ribeiro, Head of Studies and Executive Director of the Realness Institute.

The selected participants will be mentored by Group Leaders, Mehret Mandefro and Diana Elbaum, Story Expert, Mmabatho Kau, plus a host of guest speakers, all in leading roles in our industry. 

The call for submissions goes out to Producers (with and without projects) from Africa; producers from outside the continent with an interest in co-producing with Africa and film professionals from other disciplines such as funding bodies, international sales, distribution, broadcasters, and development executives with a stake in the African marketplace. Through a partnership with Brazilian foundation, Projeto Paradiso, one place is guaranteed for a Brazilian producer with a link to an African project.

There are relevant criteria for submissions and costs to cover to participate, like the flight to Rotterdam. All details can be found on the Realness Institute website; https://www.realness.institute/creative-producer-indaba.

Importantly, applicants are required to have produced at least one feature fiction, a series, or documentary film; or a minimum of two short films as a lead producer or co-producer (executive producer, associate, or line producer does not qualify). Film professionals must have a minimum of two years of professional experience. 

The deadline for submissions is 22 August 2022 at 17:00 Central African time. 

The Creative Producers Indaba is made possible through the support of Documentary Africa, International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA), Institut Français d'Afrique du Sud, the Brazilian foundation Projeto Paradiso, and The Storyboard Collective in partnership with European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE), International Film Festival Rotterdam Pro (IFFR Pro) and Marrakech International Film Festival (Atlas Workshops).

For any queries, please email submissions@realness.institute

Follow Realness on Twitter @rlnsinstitute, Instagram realnessinstitute or Realness Institute on Facebook for up-to-date information.

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Caption to 2020 CPI Alumni - the 2020 cohort of the Creative Producer Indaba

From top left: Oluwaseun Babalola (US/Sierre Leone), Carol Kioko (Kenya), Souleymane Kebe (Senegal),  Frank Hoeve (Netherlands), Wafa Tajdin (Kenya)

Middle row from left : Maia Lekow (Kenya), Dina Emam (Egypt), Israel Mehari (Ethiopia), Flavia Motsisi (South Africa), Lesedi Oluko Moche (SA/Uganda), Thomas Kaske (Germany)

Bottom row from left: Thomas Hakim (France), Toni Kamau (Kenya), Yolanda Ncokotwana (South Africa), Lara Sousa (Mozambique), Chioma Onyenwe (Nigeria), Melissa Adeyemo (US/Nigeria).

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Deadline for Applications to Realness/Netflix Traineeship extended to 21 January 2022.

Due to a surge of interest from filmmakers from Africa and the Diaspora, the Realness Institute, in partnership with Netflix, has announced an extension for submissions for the 2022 Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship (DET) programmes. Applicants will now have until 21 January 2022 to apply.

The Episodic Lab is aimed at developing story concepts by screenwriters from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria; while the DET offers African producers an opportunity to hone their story development skills. These programmes are designed for television and film professionals at an intermediate level.

Both programmes are intimately supervised and mentored by highly skilled and experienced Story Experts and Creative Producers, whilst also drawing expertise and advice from the Netflix team.

The 2022 Episodic Lab and DET take place online from 1 May to 31 July 2022. Each of the twelve selected participants (six per programme) will receive a monthly stipend of USD 2 000 for this period to cover living expenses, which will allow them to focus on the development of their story concept.

Exciting news for these programmes is that Thandeka Zwana, a DET participant from the inaugural 2021 edition, has joined the mentoring team as a Story Consultant. Working in the film industry on the continent since 2004, Thandeka has experience along the whole film-making value chain as a producer, line producer, script editor, and as development and production executive for numerous films and organisations.

Thandeka Zwana says “The programme was basically a course in brain gymnastics! It gave us the opportunity to open our minds to new ways of thinking and approaching development. From psychology to the history of storytelling, we were given tools to enhance the process and make development a lot more fun for both the executives and the writers that we work with. As African storytellers, we have a great responsibility to tell our stories in the best way possible and this course – the mentors and the guest speakers – did so much in helping us understand this responsibility and use it to make our craft better. It is a huge honour to be included in the team for 2022 and I look forward to cultivating stronger writers and stories.”

“We are thrilled to have received so many new proposals, with many requests from filmmakers to extend the deadline due to the proximity to the festive season and so many holidays,” says Elias Ribeiro, Executive Director of the Realness Institute. “So we encourage all interested to get their proposals in soon. We are also honoured to have Thandeka Zwana joining the mentoring team, who comes with a wealth of experience in development, production and distribution. We look forward to working with her to support the projects and writers to excel with their work.”

Realness Institute is a non-profit organisation that aims to empower Africans to tell their stories from their own point of view.

For information on eligibility and the application process please visit the following:

Episodic Lab: https://www.realness.institute/episodic-lab
Development Executive Traineeship: https://www.realness.institute/det

Further enquiries about the programme and application process can be directed to email submissions@realness.institute

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Realness Institute Opens 2922 Submissions: Episodic Lab & Development Executive Traineeship in partnership with Netflix

22 November 2021: Realness Institute, a non-profit organisation which aims to empower Africans to tell their stories from an unapologetically African point of view, is excited to announce the opened submissions for the 2022 Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship (DET) in partnership with Netflix, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service. Submissions open today (22 November 2021) on https://realnessinstitute.awardsplatform.com/  and close on 14 January 2022.

This follows the overwhelming interest in the inaugural editions, having received 425 submissions for the 2021 Episodic Lab and 79 applications for the 2021 DET.

The Episodic Lab is a development programme that gives screenwriters from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria an opportunity to develop their original story ideas, in any genre. The participants have the opportunity of pitching these incubated stories to Netflix executives  at the end of the programme.

The DET, which is open to applicants from across Africa and the Diaspora, is aimed at mid-career industry professionals who are looking to enhance their skills as story consultants. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the story development process, and will be exposed to a more nuanced approach in the support of writers whilst simultaneously holding writers accountable for their creative work. DET participants will work alongside creative producers and story experts in the development of their concepts and series pitch decks. They will also engage with international and local guest speakers every week for the duration of the programme.

While there is no guarantee that any proposal will be developed further by Netflix, it is a unique opportunity to interface at key milestones with the Netflix executives, and be afforded the opportunity to pitch. 2021 Episodic Lab alumnus Kudi Maradzika (Zimbabwean-South African) pitched an idea for a comedy-drama that has been selected for further development. Provisionally entitled Bad Influencer (co-created with Justin Oswald) Maradzika is now starting to turn her attention to next steps, which include Writers’ Room planning.

Kudi Maradzika

“This is an incredible opportunity and I’m grateful to the Realness and Netflix Grow Creative teams for helping make young writers’ dreams a possibility. The Episodic lab is tough but pushes you to be your best. I’m a better writer for it,” says Kudi Maradzika.

The 2022 Episodic Lab and DET are set to take place online from 1 May to 31 July 2022.

Each of the twelve participants (six per programme), will receive a monthly stipend of USD 2,000 during the incubation period. This is to cover living expenses as they focus on their concept development while being mentored.

Mehret Mandefro, Director of Development and Partnerships at the Realness Institute

Mehret Mandefro, Director of Development and Partnerships at the Realness Institute says, “What we have witnessed from the first Lab and Traineeship is that there is a deep desire for Africans to create their own narratives. This bodes well for a growing audience, based in Africa and abroad. We are so pleased to be a major player in lighting the fire of our amazing continental creatives. Also to hear from last year’s participants how they have been able to transplant everything they learnt in the incubator into their current work and other projects, as well as the impact we had in their lives and creative process.”

Allison Triegaardt, Netflix Manager for Grow Creative Africa

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Realness Institute for the 2022 edition of the Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship (DET). The development, nurturing and support of talent pipelines gives new voices a chance to be heard. This is key for Netflix as we contribute to the growth of the film and TV industry and honour our commitment to the African creative community,” says Allison Triegaardt, Netflix Manager for Grow Creative Africa.

For information on eligibility and application process please visit the following:

●      Episodic Lab - https://www.realness.institute/episodic-lab

●      Development Executive Traineeship - https://www.realness.institute/det

Further enquiries about the programme and application process can be directed to email submissions@realness.institute.

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Realness Institute Celebrates Sundance Win and Extends Call For 2020 Applications

Media Release

Realness Institute Celebrates Sundance Win and Extends Call For 2020 Applications

The first film produced from the Realness African Screenwriters’ Residency This is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection, directed by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese's (Realness 2017) and produced by Urucu Media's Cait Pansegrouw and Elias Ribeiro competed in the 2020 Sundance Film Festival's World Dramatic Competition section to critical review, and  was awarded the Special Jury Prize for Visionary Filmmaking at a ceremony last night in Park City, Utah, USA.

“Delicate and strong, this director told a little story of resistance and made it universal,” said the World Dramatic Competition Jury’s citation. “The composition of images, the visual phrase and the story of this film moved us. One of the most beautiful films of our Sundance 2020.”

“Realness Institute has been designed as a platform that caters to the full spectrum of the production line in a way that can push the African film industry forward. Core to the program’s development is the view that African cinema is a central market in the new sphere of the global cultural economy,” says Elias Ribeiro, co-founder of Realness.

The Realness Screenwriter’s Residency is dedicated to providing African film projects with the support and resources needed at the critical development stage of a film. The programme ensures that talent is given the space to mature their work, such that they develop films that can compete in the international film finance market, travel and appeal to international audiences.

Realness offers a natural environment that allows filmmakers to stretch their creativity and drive their craft under mentorship from industry experts. The residency takes the form of a six-week stay at the Nirox Foundation situated in the scenic Cradle of Humankind in South Africa.

This programme caters for filmmakers with distinct voices and perspectives, who are devoted to their craft and have a steadfast passion for cinema. Filmmakers with feature fiction film treatments and/ or scripts that are at least 60% filmed on the African Continent.

Creative Producer Indaba is a year-long professional development programme, providing emerging producers with the necessary tools and leadership skills to pursue their craft, as well as capacity to operate sustainable businesses at a strategic level.

Creative Producer Indaba is aimed at producers (with and without projects) from Africa; producers from North America and Europe with an interest in co-producing with Africa,

Film Professionals from other disciplines such as distribution, international sales, funding bodies, institutions, broadcasters and development executives with a stake in the African marketplace.

The deadline for the 2020 Residency and Indaba has been extended to February 15

For more information go to realness.institute

To apply submit a completed application to submissions@realness.institute

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