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Talents Durban 2024 unveils diverse lineup of African filmmakers and projects

The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has announced the lineup of projects and participants for the 17th edition of Talents Durban, set to take place from July 19th to 22nd, 2024. This year’s edition boasts participants from 15 African countries, reflecting the continent’s rich diversity of emerging film professionals.

With a record 499 applications received, Talents Durban selected 26 distinctive projects and 4 film critics, encompassing fiction features, documentary features, shorts, series, animation, and film criticism. 

DFMI Director, Magdalene Reddy, expressed the institute’s commitment to fostering African cinema through strategic collaborations that enhance access to markets and professional networks. Talents Durban, in partnership with Berlinale Talents, provides a rigorous developmental platform for emerging filmmakers, animators, and film critics, aimed at facilitating their access to regional and international audiences.

The selected Talents will engage in project-oriented, hands-on skills development programmes, including sessions such as Story Junction, masterclasses and one-on-one mentorship opportunities. Mentors for the 2024 edition include esteemed industry professionals like Mounia Aram, Jihane Bougrine, Hawa Essuman, Yanis Gaye, Carol Kioko, Karabo Lediga, Beverly Mitchell, Kethiwe Ngcobo and Laza Razanajatovo.

The official participants and projects for Talents Durban 2024 are as follows:

FICTION FEATURES:

  1. “A Time to Wander (Le Temps de L’Errance)” – Nakhli Rim (Tunisia) – Director & Screenwriter
  2. “Baptism of Silence” – Kanya Viljoen (South Africa) – Director & Screenwriter
  3. “Pepo Kali” – Lydia Matata (Kenya) Director & Screenwriter
  4. “Revolution (Abyot)” – Abigail Megbar Debebe (Ethiopia) – Director & Screenwriter
  5. “Rusaro” – Jeanpierre NIYIGENA  (Rwanda) – Screenwriter
  6. “The Space Maasai” – Priscilla Marealle (Tanzania) – Screenwriter

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES:

  1. “Akal” – Basma Rkioui (Morocco) – Director & Screenwriter
  2. “Breaking the Mold” – Michael Ansah (Ghana) – Director
  3. “The devil, The Tune and God”  – Lukhanyo Kumkani (South Africa) – Director & Screenwriter
  4. “Kloho (Héritage)” – Estelle KONE (Côte d’Ivoire) – Director
  5. “My Dream to Fly” – Asmaa El-gafrie (Egypt) – Cinematographer & Director
  6. “Tiny Grain, Big War” – Leul Shoaferaw (Ethiopia) – Producer & Audience Designer

SHORTS:

  1. “ADAME” – Binetou FAYE (Senegal) – Screenwriter & Director
  2. “Langalanga” – Fofo “Togbe” Gavua (Ghana) – Director & Screenwriter
  3. “Nebula” – Michel Doss (Egypt) – Director & Screenwriter
  4. “STAY” – Tomi Folowosele (Nigeria) – Screenwriter 
  5. “The Mountain in the Sea (Hoerikwaggo)” – Leandros Brown (South Africa) – Director & Screenwriter
  6. “Trust Me (Ngithembe)” – Samke Makhoba (South Africa) – Director & Screenwriter

SERIES:

  1. “Grève” – ADANNOU Gildas (Benin) Director & Screenwriter
  2. “The Mind of Alkebulan” – Esther Beukes (Namibia) Director & Screenwriter  
  3. “Rue 6” – Djeydi Djigo (Senegal) Screenwriter
  4. “VigilAunties” – Loren Loubser (South Africa) Director & Screenwriter

ANIMATION:

  1. “Baby Blue” – Allyssa Peters (South Africa) – Animation Director
  2. “Hunt Me Not” – Noella Luka (Kenya)  – Animation Director
  3. “Taste Buds” – Palesa Lebona (South Africa) – Director & Screenwriter
  4. “Together (Tomodomo)” – Love Kanebi (Nigeria) – Animation Director

TALENTS PRESS:

  1. Tony Asankomah (Ghana) – Film Critic/Journalist
  2. Bob Perfect (South Africa) – Film Critic/Journalist
  3. Timothy Niwamanya (Uganda) – Film Critic/Journalist
  4. Youssra el-Sharkawy (Egypt) – Film Critic/Journalist

The Heads of Berlinale Talents, Nikola Joetze and Florian Weghorn, expressed their excitement, 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.”

See also

The 15th edition of the Durban FilmMart, under the theme “African Visions Unleashed: From Disruption to Accountability,” is set to be the premier film market in Africa, hosting industry professionals for a four-day engagement. The event aims to foster discussions and build industry knowledge, focusing on storytelling and contemporary cultural dynamics within the film industry.

For more information and registration, visit: https://durbanfilmmart.com

 

 

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