Karen Jeynes is the first-ever winner of the Unseen Impact Award at Fame Week Africa
DAWN Co-founder Recognised for Transformative Work in Disability Representation and Inclusive Storytelling Across African Screen Industries
By Simon Manda
Cape Town, 3 September 2025 – Award-winning writer, director, and producer Karen Jeynes has made history as the inaugural recipient of the Unseen Impact Award at the 2025 Inclusive Lens Awards, recognising her groundbreaking work in championing disability representation and inclusive storytelling across African film and television.
The prestigious accolade, presented during FAME Week Africa’s second annual Inclusive Lens Awards ceremony at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, honours individuals whose behind-the-scenes advocacy drives systemic change in the entertainment industry. Karen Jeynes was celebrated for her tireless efforts to amplify under-represented voices and challenge industry taboos through both her creative work and academic research.
A Career Built on Breaking Barriers
Karen Jeynes has established herself as one of South Africa’s most versatile and socially conscious storytellers. Her recent work as head writer and co-director of acclaimed series, including The Morning After, Recipes for Love and Murder, and Die Nuusmakers, has demonstrated her commitment to authentic, inclusive narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
“Karen Jeynes represents everything the Unseen Impact Award stands for,” said Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa. “Her work consistently opens doors for under-represented communities whilst maintaining the highest standards of storytelling excellence. She’s not just creating content—she’s reshaping how we think about representation in African media.”
Karen Jeynes’ journey into disability advocacy began with her special interest in authentic representation, leading her to serve as an advisor on Luke Sharland’s documentary Normal to Me and collaborate with Sanktuary Films on Unmasking. Her dedication to this cause culminated in 2024 with the co-founding of DAWN (Disabled Audiovisual Workers Network), a groundbreaking initiative supporting disabled professionals in the film and television industry.
Academic Excellence Driving Industry Change
Beyond her creative achievements, Karen Jeynes is pursuing a PhD in disability representation on television through the University of Pretoria, building on her MA in Writing for the Screen from Falmouth University, which she completed summa cum laude in 2021. Her research focuses specifically on authentic representations of autism on screen, examining who controls these narratives and their real-world impact.
Her commitment to expanding representation is evident in her academic chapter titled “We Aren’t All Cis Straight White Men: Expanding Depictions of Autism” for the forthcoming book “Shaping Global Screen Culture: Women Who Write Our Worlds” (Intellect Books, 2025), highlighting the urgent need for expanded depictions of autism and other disabilities in mainstream media. Her research has been presented at prestigious international conferences, including the 2024 Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity and the Screenwriting Research Network conference.
This academic rigour informs her creative practice, ensuring that her productions don’t merely include disabled characters as tokens but present them as fully realised individuals with agency, complexity, and authentic experiences.
The Inclusive Lens Awards: Celebrating Stories That Matter
Now in its second year, the Inclusive Lens Awards have become a cornerstone of FAME Week Africa, spotlighting bold, authentic works that challenge the status quo across three key categories: Diversity in Kids’ Programming, Representation of Disability, and Representation of LGBTQIA+. Proudly presented by Bronx Colors, the awards celebrate African stories that reflect the continent’s rich cultural fabric whilst amplifying voices too often excluded from mainstream narratives.
The 2025 ceremony featured winners including Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes for its empowering Black female lead, Facing Forward for its moving portrayal of para surfers, and She, He, They for its groundbreaking representation of LGBTQ+ lives in Nigeria. Each winner exemplifies the awards’ mission to honour content that promotes authentic, inclusive storytelling.
A Legacy of Inclusive Storytelling
Karen Jeynes’ influence extends far beyond her individual projects. Through her extensive workshop and mentoring programmes, she has shaped a new generation of writers and directors committed to inclusive practices. Her work with organisations including the Writers Guild of South Africa, where she previously served on the board, and her role as juror for the Sir Peter Ustinov Screenwriting Competition for the International Emmys, demonstrate her commitment to systemic industry change.
Her published works, including The Karen Book of Rules and Flow: The Book About Menstruation, tackle subjects often considered taboo with characteristic wit and insight. Meanwhile, her novels in the Siyagruva series for a younger audience ensure that inclusive storytelling reaches younger readers.
Looking Forward: The Future of Inclusive African Cinema
As African film and television continue to gain global recognition, Karen Jeynes’ work provides a blueprint for how authentic representation can enhance rather than compromise commercial appeal. Her series has garnered international distribution deals and critical acclaim, demonstrating that inclusive storytelling resonates with global audiences seeking fresh perspectives.
The Unseen Impact Award recognises not just Karen Jeynes’ past achievements but her ongoing commitment to creating an industry where all voices can be heard. Through DAWN, her academic research, and her continued creative work, she remains at the forefront of efforts to make African screen industries truly inclusive.
The 2025 Inclusive Lens Awards, judged by a panel of industry leaders including filmmaker Dylan Valley, Reel Stories founder Esther Pearl, and queer cinema scholar Gibson Ncube, continue to set new standards for representation in African media whilst inspiring the next generation of inclusive storytellers.
For more information on DAWN and its work, visit www.dawn.africa
