The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) announces the lineup of projects and participants for the 17th edition of Talents Durban, taking place during the Durban FilmMart (DFM) in Durban from 19 – 22 July 2024. As the African satellite programme of the Berlin International Film Festival and Berlinale Talents, Talents Durban holds a significant position within the DFMI’s programming portfolio.
Berlinale Talents is a networking platform organised by the Berlin International Film Festival, offering a space for emerging filmmakers to connect, learn, and collaborate. Talents Durban serves as its African counterpart, providing a similar platform specifically tailored to the continent’s unique filmmaking landscape.
DFMI Director, Magdalene Reddy, explains, “The Durban FilmMart Institute is dedicated to the growth of African cinema through strategic collaborations that enhance access to markets and professional networks. Talents Durban, a core component of this commitment, aligns with Berlinale Talents to facilitate a rigorous developmental platform for emerging filmmakers. This partnership, now in its 17th iteration, leverages both our shared vision and the bold stories that Africa offers. We are particularly focused on providing filmmakers, animators and film critics with the tools and opportunities to bring their work to both regional audiences and the international stage, thereby ensuring sustained development of the continent’s film industry.”
This edition of Talents Durban is distinguished by its inclusion of participants from 15 African countries, who collectively reflect the continent’s diversity of emerging film professionals. The selection process was highly competitive, with a record 499 applications resulting in the choice of 26 distinctive projects and 4 film critics, each bringing a fresh perspective to features, documentaries, shorts, series, animation, and film criticism.
Selected Talents will participate in a series of project–oriented, hands–on skills development programmes. These include sessions such as Story Junction, where participants present their projects to producers and financiers, alongside masterclasses and one–on–one mentorship opportunities. Mounia Aram, Jihane Bougrine, Hawa Essuman, Yanis Gaye, Karabo Lediga, Carol Kioko, Beverly Mitchell, Kethiwe Ngcobo and Laza Razanajatovo, will serve as mentors for the 2024 edition. They will provide invaluable guidance and generously share their expertise with the participants.
Official 2024 Talents Durban Participants and Projects:
FICTION FEATURES
- A Time to Wander (Le Temps de L’Errance) – Nakhli Rim (Tunisia) – Director & Screenwriter
- Baptism of Silence – Kanya Viljoen (South Africa) – Director & Screenwriter
- Pepo Kali – Lydia Matata (Kenya) Director & Screenwriter
- Revolution (Abyot) – Abigail Megbar Debebe (Ethiopia) – Director & Screenwriter
- Rusaro – Jeanpierre NIYIGENA (Rwanda) – Screenwriter
- The Space Maasai – Priscilla Marealle (Tanzania) – Screenwriter
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
- Akal – Basma Rkioui (Morocco) – Director & Screenwriter
- Breaking the Mold – Michael Ansah (Ghana) – Director
- The devil, The Tune and God – Lukhanyo Kumkani (South Africa) – Director & Screenwriter
- Kloho (Héritage) – Estelle KONE (Côte d’Ivoire) – Director
- My Dream to Fly – Asmaa El-gafrie (Egypt) – Cinematographer & Director
- Tiny Grain, Big War – Leul Shoaferaw (Ethiopia) – Producer & Audience Designer
SHORTS
- ADAME – Binetou FAYE (Senegal) – Screenwriter & Director
- Langalanga – Fofo “Togbe” Gavua (Ghana) – Director & Screenwriter
- Nebula – Michel Doss (Egypt) – Director & Screenwriter
- STAY – Tomi Folowosele (Nigeria) – Screenwriter
- The Mountain in the Sea (Hoerikwaggo) – Leandros Brown (South Africa) – Director & Screenwriter
- Trust Me (Ngithembe) – Samke Makhoba (South Africa) – Director & Screenwriter
SERIES
- Grève – ADANNOU Gildas (Benin) Director & Screenwriter
- The Mind of Alkebulan – Esther Beukes (Namibia) Director & Screenwriter
- Rue 6 – Djeydi Djigo (Senegal) Screenwriter
- VigilAunties – Loren Loubser (South Africa) Director & Screenwriter
ANIMATION
- Baby Blue – Allyssa Peters (South Africa) – Animation Director
- Hunt Me Not – Noella Luka (Kenya) – Animation Director
- Taste Buds – Palesa Lebona (South Africa) – Director & Screenwriter
- Together (Tomodomo) – Love Kanebi (Nigeria) – Animation Director
TALENTS PRESS
- Tony Asankomah (Ghana) – Film Critic/Journalist
- Bob Perfect (South Africa) – Film Critic/Journalist
- Timothy Niwamanya (Uganda) – Film Critic/Journalist
- Youssra el-Sharkawy (Egypt) – Film Critic/Journalist
The Heads of Berlinale Talents, Nikola Joetze and Florian Weghorn, highlight their anticipation, stating: “Over the many years of our trusted partnership, Talents Durban has grown into a central hub on the continent, where project development, training and lasting exchange come together in the most sustainable way. We are extremely proud to welcome also this year’s very strong selection of participants to the global Talents community.
As the premier film market in Africa, the 15th edition of the Durban FilmMart, under the theme “African Visions Unleashed: From Disruption to Accountability,” welcomes industry professionals to Durban for a four–day engagement. The event is designed to host discussions and build on industry knowledge and ideas about storytelling and contemporary cultural dynamics within the film industry. DFM celebrates the innovative and creative talents who are crafting the future narrative of African cinema.
Early Bird registration for participation is now open until 31 May.
For more information and to register, please visit our website: durbanfilmmart.co.za
The Durban FilmMart Institute receives principal funding from the Durban Film Office and the eThekwini Municipality. For further inquiries, contact: [email protected]
About the Durban FilmMart Institute:
Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where film professionals and content are globally competitive and celebrated. The mission of the Durban FilmMart Institute is to provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support and facilitate investment in the African film industry.
