Realness Institute In Partnership With Netflix Calls For Submission From Nigerian Writers And Filmmakers To Its Episodic Lab And Development Executive Traineeship 2022 Programmes

By -

Realness Institute once again makes a huge impact on the African creative sector in partnership with Netflix, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, through its 2022 Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship (DET) programmes 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.

With millions of Africans being very talented and creative, Realness Institute offers the Episodic Lab participants the opportunity of pitching 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. 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.

According to Mehret Mandefro, Director of Development and Partnerships, Realness Institute, 

“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.”

Realness Institute is not just stopping at development of the participants, it is taking a step further by giving each participant a monthly stipend of USD 2,000 (Two Thousand US Dollars) during the incubation period which will take place online between 1st May, 2022 to 31st July, 2022. This stipend is to cover living expenses as they focus on their concept development while being mentored.


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. The 2021 Episodic Lab alumnus Kudi Maradzika (Zimbabwean-South African) pitched an idea for a comedy-drama that has been selected for further development.

Reacting to her story idea been selected to be further developed, the 2021 Episodic Lab Alumnus, Kudi Maradzika had this to say;

“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.”

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.

Commenting on Netflix’s partnership with Realness Institute, Allison Triegaardt, Netflix Manager for Grow Creative Africa, says;

“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.”

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.

The programmes are open to 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.

Application submissions close on 14th January, 2022.

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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Ndionyenma Led Thugs to Demolish Millions of Property In Abia Community And What The Police Must do

By -
Image
By Kingsley Amaechi, Abia State. The presiding Pastor of the World Conqueror Ministry, Monday Nwajiri has raised alarm over alleged plot by member of his kinsmen to kidnap and take his life over some of his landed properties in his hometown. The Lagos based clergyman and native of Mba in Abia State called on Nigerians, especially the Inspector General of Police and other relevant security agencies to come to his aid. Narrating his ordeal in the hands of his own relatives, who are supposed to be his own people, Nwajiri said even though he does not understand their sudden hate and jealousy, he is still trying to figure out why they wish and wants him dead at all cost, despite destroying his properties. Speaking exclusively to journalists in Lagos, Monday Nwajiri said he had not only reported the case at the community police station, but he has also take a step further to drag his kinsmen to the state police headquarters, in his words; even though the police have asked all parties to main
Read more

Alleged N4.8bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Cletus Ibeto’s Case till Apr 15

By -
Image
  Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, March 11, 2024 adjourned the alleged N4.8 billion fraud brought against a businessman, Chief Cletus Ibeto, till April 15, 2024. The case, which was initially before Justice I.O. Ijelu, of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, suffered several adjournments due to the absence of the defendant to take his plea with respect to the 10-count charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. He was charged alongside his companies, Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd. Justice Ijelu had on November 3, 2023 declared Ibeto wanted, based on an application moved by counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN. He also issued a bench warrant for his arrest. However, when the case came up on January 29, 2024, the court informed all parties involved that the case file had been returned to the Chief Judge of the State High Court. Thereafter, the case file was re-assigne
Read more

Project Lead Africa Unveils Theme, Announce 2022 Leadership Excellence And Dignity Awards

By -
Image
Organizers of Leadership Excellence And Dignity Awards have annouced November 13th for the 2022 maiden edition of Lead Awards. It was also revealed that the prestigious event will hold at the Dome International Conference Center, Akure, Ondo State. Addressing a cross section of journalists over the weekend in Lagos, the Executive Director, Abiola Alaba Peters AAP, said the evening promises to be a gathering of captains of industries, government officials and prominent traditional rulers as far as Ondo State is concerned. "It is our pleasure to announce to the general public, particularly the good people of Ondo State, that all is set for the 2022 Leadership Excellence And Dignity Awards. This announcement was necessary after several months of consultation and planning, the event will be live at the Dome International Conference Center, in Ondo State capital, Akure" "The date is November 13th 2022, It's going to be a cooperate night, an evening of glitz and glamour, w
Read more