This edition of Talents Durban features participants from 15 African countries, showcasing the continent’s diversity of emerging film professionals.
By Emmanuel Okoro
The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has announced the lineup of projects and participants for the 17th edition of Talents Durban, taking place during the Durban FilmMart (DFM) in Durban from July 19th to 22nd, 2024. As the African satellite programme of the renowned Berlin International Film Festival and Berlinale Talents, Talents Durban continues to carve its niche within the DFMI’s programming portfolio.
According to the DFMI Director, Magdalene Reddy, “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 features participants from 15 African countries, showcasing 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.
Below are the official participants and projects for the event:
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
Heads of Berlinale Talents, Nikola Joetze and Florian Weghorn expressed their enthusiasm about the 4-day event, 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.”
Early Bird registration for participation is open from now until May 31st. The Early Bird tickets are billed at R1,600 ($86.12), and normal tickets go for R 2,000 ($107.65). For a day pass, you get to pay R 500 ($26.91).
For more information and inquiries, visit the DFMI website here.