African Screenwriters Shine at Series Mania Forum with Netflix-Ready Pitches

Four talented African screenwriters made waves at the prestigious Series Mania Forum in Lille, France, last month. They pitched original series ideas honed over six months in the AuthenticA Series Lab, run by the Realness Institute in collaboration with The StoryBoard Collective.

Now in its fourth year, the lab is fostering a new wave of African talent by connecting local creators with international opportunities. The writers hailed from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Egypt, presenting diverse narratives that challenge stereotypes.

Kenyan writer Mona Ombogo highlighted her romantic thriller Kanaan. An award-winner with credits on Netflix and Showmax projects, she exemplifies East Africa’s rising profile in global TV.

Gamel Apalayine from Ghana offered The Gospel According to Charlotte Nelson, a mystery-drama drawing from his vast experience in TV, theatre, and music. Nigeria/UK’s Joladé Olusanya pitched KID: The Hogan Bassey Story, a lyrical sports epic blending poetry and film. Egypt/Canada’s Reem Morsi brought dark comedy with Humanitarians!, informed by her human rights and filmmaking background.

Industry experts praised the pitches for their complexity and market readiness. Initiatives like AuthenticA provide crucial training in pitching, negotiation, and IP protection, helping writers reclaim narrative control.

As global platforms seek authentic content, these efforts signal Africa’s growing influence in television, proving the continent’s stories are universally appealing.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)