STORY LAB
From Botswana to The World!
STORY LAB
From Botswana to The World!
IGNITE YOUR STORY & SCRIPT SKILLS WITH OUR 5-MONTH
SCRIPT AND PITCHING LAB!
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Botswana Ignite is calling for teams of visionary writers, producers and directors to develop and pitch their projects aimed at Pan African or Global Audiences. We’re looking for exceptional storytelling that’s in line with our mission: To take Batswana stories to the world! This requires narratives that project a unique Motswana voice, take risks to break the mould and that will find and grow an audience across pan African and global media.
An Immersive Skills Lab
During an intense five-month program composed of in-person workshops with internationally accomplished mentors and guest lecturers along with individualised online sessions with those mentors. Teams may be writing teams or teams with a combination of writer, producer or director.
Maximum 3 people to a team. The teams will learn advanced story development, script writing, and pitching skills, working with your own project. You will need to submit your pitch for admission to the course and also develop 5 new concepts during our kick-starter Concept & Pitching Bootcamp.
Professional Pitching Opportunity
All of this is to get you ready to pitch at FAME Week/MIPAfrica in Cape Town, SA in September 2025. All teams who complete the program will travel to Cape Town to pitch to a panel of broadcast and streamer executives!
Minimum of 1 Produced TV Series!
At least one project is guaranteed to be selected for production.
5 Month In-Person & Online Script & Pitching Lab
April – August 2025
Industry Mentorship: Each team will be allocated an experienced mentor for
personalized guidance and feedback throughout the program.
Guest Speakers: Industry professionals (showrunners, executives, directors,
agents) will host masterclasses and Q&A sessions, both online and in person.
Networking Opportunity: The program creates opportunities for participants to
connect with each other and industry professionals.
Real-world Connection: Culminate in a final pitch session at FAME Week South
Africa, to a panel of industry professionals for a real-world pitching experience.
Who Can Apply?
Motswana citizens with intermediate (film studies) to professional experience may apply:
Writers should have work that has been commissioned, licensed or published
Producers must have produced work in television, short film, feature film or digital media
Directors must have directed work in television or short film, feature film or commercials
Applicants can apply as individuals or as existing teams.
Applicants must be able to prove ownership of the concept or chain of title
All applicants must be able to commit to the in-person residencies and the online mentor sessions, as well as attend FAME Week in South Africa in the first week of September, and be prepared to sign an agreement to this effect
How To Apply
Submit the application form below, for a TV Series with universal appeal which includes:
Title, Logline & Synopsis (may have a visual); a letter of motivation for yourself or your team; your CV and CV’s of all team members if applying as a team; certified copy of ID
This opportunity is only open to Motswana citizens
Teams may submit more than one proposal
Applications must be received by midnight on Sunday 23rd February 2025.
APPLICATIONS HAVE CLOSED.
Timeline
First Round Applications reviewed 22 February – 28 February
Shortlist Reviews 1 March – 14 March
Successful Candidates selected and advised – 15 March
Public Announcement of Successful Candidates 18 March
Concept & Pitching Bootcamp kicks off the program – 3 April
Meet The Mentors
Botswana Ignite is proud to introduce our Worldclass team of Mentors ready to help guide your stories into new territories!
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR
JULIE HALL
(Wild Words Content & Creative)
Screenwriter, TV Head Writer, Story Consultant and Lecturer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hall-40693b1/
Career Highlights include:
Recent TV Series: 016FM for Showmax; BARE and KINGS OF JO’BURG 3 for Netflix
Co-Screenwriter of ZULU WEDDING, Winner Festival Director’s Choice for First Feature at Pan-African Film Festival LA 2020
Script Editor on numerous features including: Happiness Is A 4 Letter Word, Hard To Get, all film in the KANDASAMY franchise, Indemnity and multiple award-winning Valley of a Thousand Hills
Mentored on the NFVF Sediba-SPARK programme from inception
Discipline Chair of Screenwriting for AFDA Jo’burg 2014 – 2021
Served 3-years as NFVF Council Member with the Portfolio of Training
MMABATHO KAU
(Raindrop Media)
Script Consultant, Development Exec, Producer, Script Mentor
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmabatho-kau-2919287/
Career Highlights include:
Script Station Mentor at Berlinale Talents 2025
Co-story consultant on Pan-African writing residency programme REALNESS (since 2017)
Mentor for script labs in The Philippines (Full Circle Lab), Biennale College Cinema (Italy), Grow Creative Accelerator Netflix
(Indonesia, Brazil), Dramatic Producer’s Lab (Ethiopia), EAVE Access (Canada) as well as Rootex (India).
Script Editor on numerous features including: This is not a Burial, It’s A Resurrection (2019 Venice Biennale College-Cinema), Kalushi (South Africa) and Beyond The River (South Africa)
TRACEY-LEE RAINERS
(Story Oasis)
Story Developer; Creative Producer; Story Consultant
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-lee-rainers-3b0739185/
Career Highlights include:
Content London Best International Drama Series Pitch 2024 Winner - Story Oasis Co Developer
Story Mentor at Jumpstart Lab (Durban Film Mart Institute x Produire au Sud) 2022-2025
Story Mentor at Durban Film Mart Institute (DFMI) Access Lab (since 2021)
Story Mentor at Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI) Animation (Kenya) 2021
Story Consultant at Creative Producer Indaba (CPI) REALNESS (2023-2025)
Story Editor on various projects including: Do Your Worst (SA), Seriously Single (SA), I Do Not Come to You by Chance (Nigeria, premiered at TIFF), Far From Home (Nigeria), Real Estate Sisters (SA)
AYANDA HALIMANA
(YandaHalis Films)
Screenwriter; TV Head Writer; Creative Producer; Screenwriting Mentor
https://yhf.co.za/
Career Highlights include:
Mentor - Sémé City Film Lab, Benin Republic – 2025§
Co-Mentored on REALNESS/NETFLIX Series Lab & REALNESS Residency Feature Lab
Mentor for Writers Write Series Building Lab
Former Commissioning Editor SABC & M-Net
Headwriter & Creative Producer for Seasons 1 & 2 of MAKOTI; Screenwriter of feature film HAPPINESS EVER AFTER & Screenwriter, Director & Producer of short film SENT, which has won multiple festival awards and will screen at Jo’burg Film Festival 2025
2020: Berlinale – JETS Big Breakfast Pitch SA Winner; 2019: TIFF - CTIP The Big Pitch 2nd Prize Winner
FAQs
Can I attend more than one course per year?
No. You can only attend one course a year, however, you may apply for a different course next year.
I have an idea for a show. Can I present it to someone?
You can't present it to someone on this platform, however, all our courses teach the business of television where you would get the skills and strategy to know how to package and pitch your show. In addition to the courses, some of the masterclasses will teach unique aspects of this process so sign up to be notified about when these would take place.
Can I attend any of the courses if I am not a Motswana?
Unfortunately not. These courses are for Botswana citizens only.
Is there an age limit for attending any of the courses?
You must be older than 18, and there is no upper age limit.
How much does it cost to enrol in a course?
The courses are at no cost. Please see eligibility documents for further information.
How do I contact someone regarding the courses?
If you have a question that the content on this site doesn’t answer then you can write to [email protected]
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