The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has unveiled the lineup for the 18th edition of its prestigious Talents Durban programme, and Nigerian filmmaker Aghogho ‘Tega’ Onobrakpeya is among the select participants. The emerging talent joins a cohort of promising filmmakers and critics from across the African continent as the Durban FilmMart gears up for its 16th edition under the theme “Bridges Not Borders: Stories that Unite”.
Talents Durban, a vital component of the Durban FilmMart (DFM) scheduled to take place in Durban from July 18 to 21, is the African satellite programme of the Berlin International Film Festival and Berlinale Talents. This connection underscores the programme’s importance in fostering connections and providing a platform for growth within the international filmmaking community.
According to Magdalene Reddy, the Director of DFMI, this year’s selection process was exceptionally competitive, drawing over 500 applications. The chosen participants, representing 18 African nations, showcase the remarkable diversity and burgeoning creativity within the continent’s film landscape. Onobrakpeya’s inclusion highlights the growing dynamism of Nigerian cinema and her own unique storytelling voice.
Onobrakpeya’s project, a short film titled “Butterflies,” has earned her a coveted spot in the programme, its selection suggests a compelling narrative and a distinctive approach that resonated with the Talents Durban selection committee. She will join 25 other distinctive projects spanning fiction and documentary features, shorts, series, and animation, alongside five talented film critics.
The four-day intensive in-person programme, complemented by a preceding two-month online phase, promises to be an invaluable experience for Onobrakpeya and her fellow participants. Talents Durban focuses on project-oriented, hands-on skills development, offering sessions such as Story Junction, where filmmakers present their projects to industry professionals, including producers and financiers. The programme also features masterclasses and crucial one-on-one mentorship opportunities with seasoned industry figures.
This year’s impressive roster of mentors includes Domoina Ratsara, Francis Brown, Joel Karekezi, Karabo Lediga, Laza Razanajatovo, Mamounata Nikiemai, Mayye Zayedi, Mmabatho Kau, Rumbi Katedzai and Tarek Mohamed. Their collective experience and guidance will undoubtedly provide invaluable insights and support to the emerging talents as they develop their projects and navigate the complexities of the film industry.
Nikola Joetze, the Project Manager of Berlinale Talents, expressed her enthusiasm for the selected participants, stating, “We are deeply impressed by the strong, emerging cinematic voices from the African continent… Talents Durban provides this rich and powerful springboard for pan-African filmmakers to further strengthen their careers, build important networks, and join and enrich the international community of Berlinale Talents.”
