Four film critics, including Afrocritik’s Seyi Lasisi, were also selected for this year’s programme.
By Helena Olori
The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has announced 19 participants and four Film Critics from 15 African countries for the 16th edition of Talents Durban. The highly anticipated Talents Durban is a developmental programme organised in collaboration with Berlin Talents.
According to Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute, the 2023 edition will bring together emerging participants from across the continent, whose work not only demonstrates excellence but also reflects the new voices rising out of Africa.
As part of effort to foster a sense of community, this edition will debut Francophone projects that will represent diverse languages and cultures from the African diaspora.
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The 19 selected projects span various categories including 4 fiction features, 3 episodic works, 3 animations, 5 documentaries, and 4 fiction short films.
Among the selected participants are Joash Omondi from Kenya, who will present Jua Kali; Kaelo Iyizoba from Nigeria with A Nollywood Story, Parthiben Chellapermal from Mauritius with The Other One Country, and Rafeeqah Galant from South Africa, who will showcase Aya in the Fiction Feature category.
For Fiction Shorts category, Curfew by Isabelle Christiane Kouraogo from Morocco, Slow Fruit by Kwazikwenkosi Ntombela from South Africa, Rotten Blood by Egyptian Tarek El Sherbeny, and Faycal Leonce Soura from Burkina Faso with Join Us have been listed.
The Documentary Selection features Camélia Gadhgadhi from Algeria with Bitter Seed, Ntombizodwa Masuku from Zimbabwe presenting Half a Tribe, Babucarr Manka from Gambia with Standing Up, as well as South African Fezeka Mkhabela and Linda Mkhize who will showcase Kazi: To Be Born and To Die A Woman and Flower of Revolution, respectively.
Animation Selection include The Song Maiden by Stanley Nwaturuocha (Nigeria), Chronicles of Z and Z by Moreti Seepi (South Africa) and Garth Sanders, also South African, with Mysteries at the Majestic.
Projects for the Episodic Selection includes The Rainforest Witch by Katya Aragão from Sao Tome & Principe, Out of Options by Thandi Sebe from South Africa, and The Masters of Elegance by Okoko Nyumbaiza from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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Additionally, the program includes a Talent Press featuring Film Critics and journalists including Gbenato Carolle Tonoukouen from Benin, Tonderai Cosmas Chiyindiko from Zimbabwe, Gaël Hounkpatin from Benin, and Afrocritik’s Seyi Lasisi, from Nigeria.
This year’s Talents will be mentored by Mounia Aram, Azza Chaabouni, Iman Djionne, Sean Drummond, Mandla Dube, Yanis Gaye, Wilfred Okiche, Domoina Ratsara, Miki Redelinghuys, and Ramadan Suleman.
Participants will engage in project-oriented, hands-on skills development programs which will include opportunities to present their projects to producers and financiers through Story Junction.