The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has unveiled the lineup of participants for the anticipated 16th edition of Talents Durban.
As the African satellite programme of the Berlin International Film Festival and Berlinale Talents, Talents Durban forms an integral part of the DFMI’s portfolio, according to a statement.
“Working in collaboration with partners to develop platforms that can significantly grow the film industry is at the heart of DFMI,” says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute. “Now entering its 16th year, the 2023 edition of Talents Durban promises to unite emerging participants from across the continent, whose work not only stands out for its level of excellence but also reflects the new voices rising out of Africa.”
This year, Talents Durban introduces Francophone projects from the African diaspora as it continues to inspire a sense of community on the continent by representing many languages and cultures. After a meticulous adjudication process, 19 projects and four film critics from 15 countries across Africa made the final selection, including four fiction features, three episodic works, three animations, five documentaries and four fiction short films. The diversity of talent in the programme showcases the immense potential of African filmmaking and film criticism on a global scale.
The Talents will participate in several project-oriented, hands-on skills development programmes. Practical sessions within Talents Durban include Story Junction, in which they present their projects to producers and financiers, masterclasses and one-on-one mentorship.
The 2023 mentors working with this year’s Talents include: Mounia Aram, Azza Chaabouni, Iman Djionne, Sean Drummond, Mandla Dube, Yanis Gaye, Wilfred Okiche, Domoina Ratsara, Miki Redelinghuys and Ramadan Suleman.
“Together, Talents Durban, Berlinale Talents, and the other international Talents hubs build a strong network and year-round community of soon to be 10,000 creatives around the globe and across all film disciplines. Sustainable talent development based on collaboration and creating deeper understanding across cultures and countries are in focus again at this year’s Talents Durban programme. We look forward to learning more from the new participants and welcome them to the community.” said Florian Weghorn, Programme Manager of Berlinale Talents
Official 2023 Talents Durban Participants & Projects
Fiction Feature Selection:
Joash Omondi (Kenya) – Jua Kali – Director & Screenwriter
Kaelo Iyizoba (Nigeria) – A Nollywood Story – Director & Screenwriter
Parthiben Chellapermal (Mauritius) – The Other one country (Au pays de l’Autre) – Director & Screenwriter
Rafeeqah Galant (South Africa) – Aya – Director & Screenwriter
Fiction Shorts Selection:
Isabelle Christiane KOURAOGO (Morocco) – Curfew (COUVRE-FEU) – Director & Screenwriter
Kwazikwenkosi Ntombela (South Africa) – Slow Fruit – Screenwriter & Director
Tarek El Sherbeny (Egypt) – Rotten Blood (دم فاسد) – Director
Faycal Leonce Soura (Burkina Faso) – Join Us (NA AN FÊ) – Director & Screenwriter
Documentary Selection:
Camélia Gadhgadhi (Algeria) – Bitter Seed – Director
Ntombizodwa Masuku (Zimbabwe) – Half A Tribe – Director & Screenwriter
Babucarr Manka (Gambia) – Standing Up – Director & Screenwriter
Fezeka Mkhabela (South Africa) – Kazi: To Be Born and To Die A Woman – Screenwriter & Director
Linda Mkhize (South Africa) – Izintombi Zomkhonto: Flowers of the Revolution – Director
Animation Selection:
Nkem Stanley Nwaturuocha (Nigeria) – The Song Maiden – Director
Garth Sanders (South Africa) – Mysteries at the Majestic – Director
Moreti Seepi (South Africa) – Chronicles of Z and Z (Adventures of Z and Z) – Director
Episodic Selection:
Katya Aragão (Sao Tome & Principe) – Out of Options – Director & Screenwriter
Thandi Nicola Nayma Tshifhiwa Sebe (South Africa) – The Rainforest Witch (Nha Fim di Mundo) – Screenwriter & Actor
Okoko Nyumbaiza (Democratic Republic of the Congo) – The Masters of Elegance – Screenwriter & Director
Talent Press (Film Critic / Journalist) Selection:
Gbenato Carolle Tonoukouen (Benin) – Film Critic & Journalist
Tonderai Cosmas Chiyindiko (Zimbabwe) – Film Critic & Journalist
Gaël Hounkpatin (Benin) – Film Critic & Journalist
Seyi Lasisi (Nigeria) – Film Critic & JournalistFor further details about the Talents, please visit the following link: https://www.berlinale-talents.de/bt/find/talent
Africa’s leading film industry event, the Durban FilmMart, returns for its 14th edition under the theme “African Constellations”.
Visit https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/ for registration details .
