EbonyLife and Sony Pictures Televsion Collaborate on New African Writers Initiative “ALO”

Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife continues to take giant strides in the entertainment industry especially on the international front. Last month, we reported that the entertainment company in collaboration with Universal Pictures, and Will Packer Productions will produce a movie on Ramon Abass popularly known as Hushpuppi, after receiving adaptation rights. Now it has teamed up with Sony Pictures Television on a new writers initiative “ÀLÓ”, a special platform for writers of African heritage.

ÀLÓ is a Yoruba word that translates as ‘once upon a time.’ The word in Yoruba oral folklore has opened countless stories passed down from one generation to another. It is hoped that this initiative will be the beginning of an exciting venture to unravel some of the best and authentic African story ideas which will enthrall viewers across the globe.

Interested writers can visit the ÀLÓ Initiative website which was commissioned on the 24^th of September, to submit their television scripts and story documents which will then be reviewed and shortlisted by the ÀLÓ team which is comprised of creative executives from both EbonyLife and SPT.

Only Entrants of African heritage qualify for the initiative; they could be residing outside Africa but must have been born in any of the countries in Africa or have proven citizenship as a native of the country, or be first-generation children.

Worthy of note also is that only professionals, freelancers as well as up-and-coming writers are invited for submissions, and there are no limitations to the story ideas or scripts. Any theme or story is welcome, but submissions must pay homage to Africa’s unique cultures, diversity, heritage, and people. 

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to enter into a series pilot development agreement with SPT and EbonyLife under the ÀLÓ Initiative to create and write a pilot script. Once completed, the projects will be pitched to major international broadcasters for their consideration.

Mo Abudu, Chief Executive Officer, EbonyLife Media, says, “I am really excited about our growing partnership with Sony Pictures Television; from our deal for three scripted series to our first-look agreement, and now the ÀLÓ Writers’ Initiative. The name of this initiative inspires me, as we chose a word which holds so much personal meaning for me. I am particularly thrilled about the Writers’ Initiative because it is in line with our continent-wide vision to harness and grow our creative economy. It is focused on global storytelling that is authentically African and that gives African writers access to the biggest international broadcasters in the world.  It is a dream come true for me.”

Nina Lederman, EVP Global Scripted Development for Sony Pictures Television, says “The ÀLÓ initiative is born out of SPT and EbonyLife’s shared passion for great storytelling. We know from our many, many conversations developing this initiative with Mo and her team at EbonyLife that there are countless stories from across the African continent yet to be told. We hope that this provides a unique platform to writers of African heritage with a story they want to bring to the world.”

The ÀLÓ Initiative will first open for submissions between September 24^th and November 5^th, 2021, with a further six-week period to be confirmed at a later date. Internationally, the initiative is open to submissions from the US, Canada, the UK and EU, Australia and New Zealand, and Africa. It hopes to expand to include further regions for future submission periods.

Full terms and conditions and eligibility criteria can be found on the ÀLÓ Initiative website here https://www.alowritersinitiative.com