Le Laboratoire Série Documentaire

This project aims to: - Train a new generation of African authors and directors capable of designing ambitious documentary series, rooted in local realities and open to the world; - Encourage innovative and accessible serial documentary writing, to tell the stories of our societies differently, over time; - Create a space for exchange and co-production between professionals from the continent and the rest of the world; - Strengthen the presence of African documentaries on international platforms and in the programming schedules of public and private television channels. --- TARGET AUDIENCE The Documentary Series Lab in Africa program is intended for: - Authors, directors, and editors of documentaries or radio programs; - As well as journalists looking to develop a documentary series project in the writing or development phase. The call for applications aims to encourage the participation of talents from different countries across the continent, to promote the diversity of African narratives, perspectives, and documentary approaches. --- PEDAGOGICAL STRUCTURE The Documentary Series Lab training offers a progressive immersion into the world of serial documentary dramaturgy, while supporting each participant in the concrete development of their own project. Each participant benefits from personalized guidance within a writing workshop led by an experienced female director-author and a male director-author, both recognized for their expertise in designing and producing documentary series. The pedagogical approach is based on an alternating method, combining: - Theoretical contributions (analysis of narrative structures, character development, challenges of reality and documentary staging); - Case studies from contemporary African and international documentary series; - Practical exercises in writing, analysis, and reformulation of ongoing projects; - Collective sessions fostering experience sharing, constructive criticism, and collaborative work. Guest professionals from the documentary sector, serial production, and international co-production will intervene to enrich the training with their firsthand experiences. These sessions will address topics such as: - The evolution of serial documentary formats; - The role of the genre in media and platforms; - Distribution strategies; - As well as funding and co-production opportunities at the African and global levels. For more information, visit the website: [https://africa-doc.com/le-laboratoire-serie-documentaire/](https://africa-doc.com/le-laboratoire-serie-documentaire/)