The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI), in collaboration with DW Akademie and Berlinale Talents, has announced the participants for the second edition of its Future Mentors Programme. This initiative, funded by DW Akademie with support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Developments, is a crucial effort to address the shortage of experienced film industry mentors from the African continent and its diaspora.
The latest edition of the programme will be held in Dakar, Senegal, and Tunis, Tunisia, from November 3 – 7, 2025, targeting successful applicants from West and North Africa.
A committee of seasoned industry professionals meticulously selected two cohorts representing a wide array of skills and experiences, all deeply rooted in their regions’ film cultures. These individuals are poised to share their expertise, fostering the next generation of African film professionals through dedicated mentorship.
West African Cohort
- Carlos Yuri Ceuninck (Cabo Verde)
- Fatoumata Senghor (Senegal)
- Giresse Kassonga (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Luck Razanajaona (Madagascar)
- Maeva Ranaivojaona (Madagascar)
- Moustapha Sawadogo (Burkina Faso)
- Soro Azata (Burkina Faso)
North African Cohort
- Alyaa Musa (Sudan)
- Amine Hattou (Algeria)
- Dhia Jerbi (Tunisia)
- Hussein Eddeb (Libya)
- Kesmat Elsayed (Egypt)
- Lamia Belkaied Guiga (Tunisia)
- Mahmoud Hemeda (Egypt)
- Mirvet Kammoun (Tunisia)
- Muhammad Taymour (Egypt)
- Nada Riyadh (Egypt)
The programme will be delivered under the expert guidance of facilitators who were also involved in the inaugural edition. Iman Djionne and Yanis Gaye will lead the session in Senegal, while Azza Chaabouni and Mayye Zayed will guide the participants in Tunisia. They bring a deep, Africa-centric understanding of professional support and close knowledge of the programme’s curriculum.
The DFMI extends its gratitude to regional partners Centre Yennenga (Senegal) and DocHouse (Tunisia) for their support in implementing the programmes. The DFMI is primarily funded by the Durban Film Office and eThekwini Municipality.
To learn more about the initiative and access the Future Mentors Guide, a free digital resource available in English and French, co-created by a group of African and diaspora film professionals, visit the DFMI website: https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/future-mentors/
