Scriptwriting

Program Overview:

In the Scriptwriting program, you’ll discover the underlying pillars of all great stories, and learn how to take what you have learned and apply it to the development of your own film or TV script.

You’ll immerse yourself in exemplary scripts from around the world, dissecting their structures, story flows, character development and the magic that made them resonate with audiences, as well as those that did not perform well, so that you leave this program understanding what works, what doesn’t, and why.

Who is this program for?

If you are interested in becoming a scriptwriter, script editor, story researcher, or development assistant, or you just want to broaden your existing skills-set, then this is the program for you.

A minimum of a High School Certificate is desirable while proof of proficiency in English Language is required. A High School Certificate is equivalent to a BEPC/BAC in France and a University Degree is equivalent to a BTS/Licence/Master.

Program Schedule

Registration now open

Ayanda Halimana
Scriptwriting Facilitator

With sixteen years in the Television industry, Ayanda has worked at both the SABC and Mnet as Commissioning Editor. As a Head Writer she has worked on over twelve episodic dramas. Her TV screen credits include It’s Complicated, Mfolozi Street, Isikizi, iKani, and the number 01 most watched Series in SA for 2019 - Makoti. She Head Wrote and Creative Produced the Second Season of the same show which is now also available on Prime Video. Ayanda wrote “Happiness Ever After”, a sequel to the highest-grossing film for 2016 in SA Happiness is a Four-Letter Word. She is a Story Contributor and Consultant for the Movie Uncovered, also on Netflix. She is in Finance stages for her debut feature film “One Day in June”. She pitched and won second prize at the CTI (TIFF) 2019 and won JETS 2020 held during Berlinale. She will be shooting her short film SENT in the latter part of 2023. Through her company, YandaHalis Films, she has delivered Scriptwriting Schools Program for KZNFC – 2019 - 2023, The Scriptwriting Program from 2021 - 2023. She has also trained writers across provinces through NFVF’s Spark program. In 2021 she was one of the Mentors at the Episodic Lab by Realness Institute/Netflix. She is also one of the Mentors for the Realness African Residency (2022). She has recently shot her short film Sent; which will be out in 2024. Through her company YandaHalis Films, she recently headed a Mini-Development Lab for episodic shows. The Project was funded by NFVF through the Presidential Stimulus Fund. She is currently a Consulting Commissioning Editor for MultiChoice’s CSI program for Film Graduates.