South Africa’s Sydelle Willow Smith also returns as an alumni after making waves with Sunshine Cinema at the inaugural edition in 2020.
By Helena Olori
Nigerian animator Esther Kemi Gbadamosi, and Namibian filmmaker, Perivi John Katjavivi, have been selected as the new fellows of the 2024 Berlinale Talents Footprints – Mastercard Enablement Programme, joining returning alumni Sydelle Willow Smith from South Africa and Shuchi Talati from India. This marks the first time the programme welcomes both new fellows and returning participants to participate in the annual fellowship.
Gbadamosi’s Radioxity Stop Motion Animation Academy, which supports emerging stop motion talents by providing access to professional training and mentorship, earned her a spot in this year’s fellowship. Last year, Gbadamosi was one of the African animators and the first from Nigeria to feature at Berlinale.
Katjavivi, known for his groundbreaking Oscar-entry debut film, Under the Hanging Tree, was selected for his “Return to the Source” a workshop and residency programme that uses film as a therapeutic tool in Namibian communities. Katjavivi is also no newcomer to Berlinale having previously participated in various programmes of the festival.
Returning as an alumni fellow is South Africa’s Sydelle Willow Smith, whose innovative Sunshine Cinema was selected for the inaugural edition of the fellowship in 2020. Sunshine Cinema uses solar-powered mobile cinemas to bring free African film screenings to rural communities. She returns alongside 2022 fellow, Shuchi Talati, whose project, UnderCurrent, is India’s first training programme for women in cinema lighting. Both will receive further support for their projects.
The four fellows, selected by a jury including German actor and activist, Thelma Buabeng, Marene Arnold (Vice President Marketing & Communications Mastercard DACH Region), and Iranian director, Sadaf Foroughi, will receive €5,000 for project-related investments and practical support, as well as mentorship.
The Talents Footprints Mastercard Enablement Programme, now in its fourth year, supports film-related social initiatives that contribute to local communities in an inclusive, innovative and impactful way with a focus on four key domains: Gender Equality and Diversity; Quality Education and Work; Peace, Justice and Understanding; and Environmental Awareness and Climate Action.