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Realness launches call for submissions for 2019 edition

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Now in its 4th year, Realness Pan African Scriptwriters’ Residency is now open for 2019 submissions.

Realness is a pioneering residency initiative conceived by Urucu Media that affords a new generation of filmmakers the opportunity to evolve their talent as authentic voices in African cinema. Over the course of 6 weeks, 5 filmmakers are incubated at Nirox in the Cradle of Humankind where they are furnished with the resources and mentorship that will empower them to create their best work. In the past 3 editions, Realness has hosted writer/directors from 11 countries in Africa.

In 2017 and 2018, the residents collaborated with story consultants Selina Ukwuoma and Mmabatho Kau, who have both worked internationally and continue to believe in the power of a Pan African development platform.

“I love the fact that Africa becomes this truly rich place that has a diversity of voices that I hear when I come and work with Realness. It’s the place I know it to be. I also love the fact that it is an African lab in Africa, for Africa. I think that’s really special.” said Ukwuoma. “Unpacking story with fellow Africans is always exciting and revolutionary.” Kau went on to say.

Realness alumni have gone on to be selected for the Sundance Directors and Screenwriterss labs, Biennale Cinema College and TorinoFilmLab ScriptLab among others, while also receiving grants from prestigious funding institutions, such as Hubert Bals. This continued momentum affirms the residency’s ability to identify and cultivate the next wave of auteurs from the continent.

“Realness is designed to get the best out of each filmmaker in a serene atmosphere with expert guidance. It allowed us to focus our full efforts towards telling our stories. These programmes are really rare worldwide and don’t exist in Africa, except for Realness, which is a much-needed programme and is tailored for African filmmakers.” M. Siam (Egypt), 2018 Realness alumnus.

The call for submissions will be open from the 3rd of December 2018 until the 31st of January 2019. Filmmakers holding an African passport with a narrative treatment, story outline or work-in-progress screenplay are invited to submit their projects for consideration. The 5 chosen residents will be announced at an event hosted by the pavilion Les Cinemas du Monde in Cannes in 2019.

Realness is an initiative by Urucu Media in partnership with Nirox Foundation, Berlinale Talents, Durban FilmMart, The Durban International Film Festival, Durban Talents, Institute Français, The French Institute of South Africa, TorinoFilmLab, EAVE Producer’s Workshop, Locarno Filmmaker’s Academy, CNC (Le Centre National du Cinéma et de L’image Animée), Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF Filmmaker Lab, Robert Bosch Stiftung, Cocoon Productions and Deuxieme Ligne Films.

For any queries email: re******@ur********.com

Deadline for submission is 31 January 2019