Cape Town, SA. 9 March 2026: Cape Town-based Realness Institute, the pioneering organisation that supports the growth of independent African storytellers in cinema and television, has announced the appointment of a new Board and Alumni Advisory Council to steer the organisation into a new era of sustainability.
Since its inception in 2015, Realness has been a driving force in supporting African voices through skills development programmes in writing and producing, and networking opportunities that connect talent to professionals both on the continent and internationally. Its programmes include the prestigious Creative Producer Indaba - a fellowship for producers focused on sustainability and co-financing opportunities that can stabilize their companies and careers, and the AuthenticA Series Lab, which supports the development of episodic content in partnership with StoryBoard Collective and Series Mania.. The institute has empowered 200+ film industry professionals who have gone on to become award-winning producers, writers and directors with premieres and wins at festivals that include Sundance, Cannes, and Venice Film festivals.
Alongside the appointment of 4 new Board members, 9 alumni from across various Realness programmes will serve on an advisory Sub-Committee to the Board. Drawing on their hands-on experience of the programmes, they will support both the Board and the operational team in contributing to the development of an alumni network offering and strategic direction for the organisation.
The new Realness Institute Board comprises:
· Dillion Phiri (South Africa,: a filmmaker, founder, and creative entrepreneur known for building platforms and networks like Creative Nestlings that boasts over 100K+ creatives and aims to unlock the power of creative tech to power Africa’s transformation.
· Enyinnaya Omeruah (Nigeria), talent manager and film financier who has extensive experience in film production, and distribution.
· Moussa Sene Absa (Senegal) a painter, writer, musician, and award-winning film director whose works have been celebrated at Carthage, FESPACO, and Berlinale, and whose paintings have been exhibited in Europe and North America.
· Thabiso Molefe (South Africa) a media and communications professional with experience in television, public sector strategic communication, and political stakeholder engagement across the SADC region.
New board members: Top Left To Right: Dillion S. Phiri (Zimbabwe/Malawi), Enyinnaya Omeruah (Nigeria); Bottom Left To Right: Moussa Sene Absa (Senegal), Thabiso Molefe (South Africa)
The Sub- Committee comprising Realness Alumni include:
· Sales agent and independent consultant Berry Hahn (Madagascar,France)
· Filmmaker and producer Godisamang Khunou (SA)
· Screenwriter, director,and producer, Kudi Maradzika (Zimbabwe, SA) who was recently named to Forbes Africa Over 30 Under 50 list.
· Screenwriter with extensive experience working on live action shows, Omotunde Akiode, (Nigeria)
· Director, artist, and founder of Kulunga Filmes, Lara Sousa (Mozambique)
· Filmmaker and producer trained in fine arts, working across documentary and fiction, Maéva Ranaïvojaona (Madagascar, France)
· Filmmaker and producer with extensive experience in production and film financing,, Mimi Bartels, (Nigeria)
· Director, producer and writer Tapiwa Chipfupa (Zimbabwe)
· Story development executive and producer Tshenolo Mabale (SA)
Realness Alumni Advisory Council: Top Left To Right: Berry Hahn (Madagascar/France), Godisamang Khunou (South Africa), Kudi Maradzika (Zimbabwe/South Africa); Middle Left To Right: Lara Sousa (Mozambique), Maéva Ranaïvojaona (Madagascar/ France), Mimi Bartels (Nigeria); Bottom Left To Right: Tapiwa Chipfupa (Zimbabwe), Omotunde Akiode (Nigeria), Tshenolo Mabale (South Africa)
“Across much of Africa, the near-absence of government support for film and television means filmmakers are left to shoulder every risk alone — and that's simply not sustainable.” says Mehret Mandefro, Managing Director and co-founder of Realness Institute. “With a committed, skilled, and film-savvy Board now in place, and the deep experience of our Alumni Advisory Council Sub-Committee, we are ready to provide African screen talent with the structural support they deserve — the kind that makes sustainability inevitable."
For more information on the Realness Institute : https://www.realness.institute/