Kenyan filmmaker Tony Koros has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a place in the prestigious 2024/25 AuthenticA Series Lab, an initiative that promises to be a significant boost for African storytelling in the global television industry. Koros is among the four African screenwriters selected for this competitive program, which is highly regarded for its role in advancing and refining TV series ideas from promising talents across the continent.
The AuthenticA Series Lab is a collaborative effort between the South African-based Realness Institute, The StoryBoard Collective from Switzerland, and is supported by the Series Mania Forum in France and the Canada Media Fund. This year’s selection process was intensely competitive, with submissions from 27 countries covering 23 different television genres. Koros, along with Talemwa Pius from Uganda, Aden Abebe from Canada/Ethiopia, and Mlilo Mpondo from South Africa, was chosen for his outstanding potential and creative vision.
Tony Koros’s selection comes on the heels of notable achievements in his career. His short film, “Tithes & Offerings,” premiered at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2019 and was distributed by CANAL+, marking a significant accomplishment in the film industry. Koros’s participation in the AuthenticA Series Lab will further amplify his voice and vision on an international stage, providing him with a unique platform to refine his craft and expand his reach.
The AuthenticA Series Lab is designed to support screenwriters in developing their series ideas into fully realized pilot scripts and comprehensive pitch Bibles. This support is crucial in an industry where the development of television series is highly competitive. The lab offers a structured program that includes both in-person and online sessions. The journey begins with a residency at the picturesque Coot Club in Stanford, Western Cape, South Africa, from September 8 to 17, 2024. This residency will be followed by additional online sessions and another in-person residency in Geneva, Switzerland, starting January 20, 2025. The program culminates in a pitch session at the Series Mania Forum in Lille, France, on March 25, 2025.
The AuthenticA Series Lab is spearheaded by Programme Director Elias Ribeiro and Story Expert Selina Ukwuoma. The lab’s mentorship and creative guidance will be further enriched by experienced industry professionals, including Creative Producer Mehret Mandefro, who emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment for African screenwriters. “Providing a safe space for African screenwriters to find their voice and write the stories that only they can tell is a critical infrastructure investment in the global media ecosystem,” Mandefro notes.
Series Mania’s General Director, Laurence Herszberg, highlights the significance of this collaboration. “Series Mania is proud to once again partner with Realness Institute and The StoryBoard Collective for the third consecutive year on the AuthenticA Series Lab,” Herszberg said. “As the leading event in Europe for TV series professionals, Series Mania Forum serves as an ideal platform to amplify African talents and their unique voices, offering them visibility on an international stage while fostering diversity in the global television landscape.”
Koros’s inclusion in this elite cohort not only underscores his talent but also represents a broader recognition of African storytelling in global media. The AuthenticA Series Lab provides a vital platform for emerging African writers to develop their narratives and gain international exposure, thereby enriching the global television landscape with diverse and authentic voices.
