Realness Institute, Netflix Announce 12 Shortlisted For 2022 Episodic Lab

After a rigorous selection process, the Realness Institute, in partnership with Netflix – the world’s leading streaming entertainment platform, is excited to announce the twelve participants selected for the 2022 Episodic Lab (EPL) and Development Executive Traineeship (DET).

Realness Institute is a non-profit organisation which aims to empower Africans to tell their stories from an unapologetically African point of view.

Each of the twelve participants (six per programme), will receive a monthly stipend of USD 2000 during the incubation period.

This is to cover living expenses as they focus on their concept and professional development.

The successful applicants were drawn from a competitive pool of 200 submissions from an open call, which closed on 21 January 2022. 

EPL and DET commenced on 1 May and runs until 31 July 2022, with the last week of the programme consisting of in-person sessions in Gauteng, South Africa.

For the Episodic Lab, selected participants are: Hussein Kurji with Bushcamp (Kenya), Khanyo Mjamba with Byline(South Africa), Mlilo Mpondo with Bayeti-Visitors (South Africa), Neo Sibiya with Ukushona Kwelanga (The Setting of The Sun) (South Africa), Sandra Madu with From Lagos with Love (Nigeria) and Voline Ogutu with Dilemma (Kenya).

The selected screenwriters will spend three months in a virtual lab where they will work on developing their original story ideas, in any genre, alongside the mentorship of Realness Institute Creative Producers, Elias Ribeiro and Mehret Mandefro, and Story Consultants, Selina Ukwuoma and Thandeka Zwana.

After this stage of mentorship, the lab participants will have the opportunity to pitch their incubated stories to Netflix executives.

“Anxious and excited. It’s not every day an opportunity, specifically to showcase African talent, comes around. The Lab will strip our writing bare, and we’ll all be better for it. Bring it!” said Hussein Kurji.

“Being selected for the Realness/Netflix Episodic Lab is a giant leap forward in my screenwriting career. I’m absolutely ecstatic to be a part of this gifted group of African professionals and see this programme as an accelerator for us towards the pinnacle of authentic, fearless showrunning. I’m so chuffed!!” said Khanyo Mjamba.

For the Development Executive Traineeship (DET) we have selected: Babalwa Baartman (South Africa), Khosie Dali (South Africa), Mona Ombogo (Kenya), Neiloe Whitehead (South Africa), Omotunde Akiode (Nigeria), Pedro Duarte Soulé (Cabo Verde).

These selected participants will gain a deeper understanding of the story development process, working alongside creative producers and story experts. 

DET Participants will work in teams to support the development and crafting of the Episodic Lab Participants’ respective projects  and help translate their concepts into pitch decks.

The approach, of the Episodic Lab and DET programmes, is vertical and horizontal learning, using writing rooms as a co-creating collaborative space.  

“So wow! Realness Institute and Netflix! There are those moments when you know your life is about to change exponentially.  This is one of them. I’m ecstatic to take this journey with fellow writers and become more… More stories, more truth, more boundaries. Just more!” – Mona Ombogo.

“DET 2022 is an important tool to support building my professional career and help develop the Industry in my country and region.”- Pedro Soule.

While there is no guarantee that any proposal will be developed further by Netflix, it is a unique opportunity that affords the participants the space and time to develop their stories and skills with the guidance of international experts, including Netflix Executives.