The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has announced the lineup of projects and participants for this year’s Talents Durban, set to take place in Durban from July 18 to 21. The Talents Durban is part of the Berlin International Film Festival and Berlinale Talents.
The programme features a range of projects, including fiction features, documentaries, shorts, series, animation, and film criticism. Some of the notable projects include The Most High by Samuel Kizito from Uganda, Green Island Girls by Rogena Tarek from Egypt, and Akiki’s Adventures in Azania by Fatuma Abdullah from South Africa.
This year’s cohort boasts an array of emerging talents from 16 African countries, which is from a pool of over 500 applications, with 26 projects and 5 film critics selected to participate in the programme.
“This year’s cohort demonstrates remarkable innovation in form and content, with projects that naturally embody our theme of building bridges,” DFMI Director, Magdalene Reddy, said. “Throughout the intensive four-day in person programme and the 2-month online programme, these emerging talents will not only develop their technical skills but also forge lasting connections with industry professionals and fellow creators from across the continent – connections that will sustain African cinema’s growth for years to come.”
According to the organisers, the selected participants will engage in a series of programmes, including sessions such as Story Junction, masterclasses, and one-on-one mentorship opportunities.
Industry professionals, including Domoina Ratsara, Francis Brown, Joel Karekezi, Karabo Lediga, Laza Razanajatovo, Mamounata Nikiemai, Mayye Zayedi, Mmabatho Kau, Rumbi Katedzai and Tarek Mohamed, will serve as mentors for the participants.
Nikola Joetze, Project Manager of Berlinale Talents, said: “We are deeply impressed by the strong, emerging cinematic voices from the African continent. So it goes without saying, that we are extremely proud to have the Durban Filmmart as our amazing partner with Talents Durban providing 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.”
He added: “Congratulations to the selected Talents, and thank you to the entire Talents Durban team, including the amazing mentors. We cannot wait to see these projects thrive, appear on screen one day, and hear the thoughts and reflections of the selected film critics!”
Below is the full list of the 2025 Talents Durban Participants and Projects
Fiction Features
- The Most High by Samuel Kizito (UGANDA)
- MENELIK III by Hassan Zaroug (RWANDA/SUDAN)
- No Man’s Land by Sean Mongie (SOUTH AFRICA)
- Nuusiku by Laudika Hamutenya (NAMIBIA)
- The Prophecy by Rehanna Ngom (SENEGAL)
- LET THIS DAY END by Karim Berrhouma (TUNISIA)
Documentary Features
- Designing Divide by Jessie Ayles (SOUTH AFRICA)
- Green Island Girls by Rogena Tarek (EGYPT)
- One Man’s Dream by Chisomo Kawaga (MALAWI)
- Mwiba (A Thorn) by Gwantwa Lucas Mwakalinga (TANZANIA)
- Ghana Must Go! by Joewackle Kusi (GHANA)
- KUMFOGA by Dissirama BESSOGA (TOGO)
Shorts
- The Soil’s Silent Smell by Melkamu Haile (ETHIOPIA)
- My Chicken (Huku Yangu) by Dereck NZIYAKWI (ZIMBABWE)
- Based on Future Events: Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me? by Bassma Farah Nancy (EGYPT)
- DELIVERY MAN by Ani ELIAM (COTE D’IVOIRE)
- Butterflies by Aghogho ‘Tega’ Onobrakpeya (NIGERIA)
- Trucker Man by Shiefaa Hendricks (SOUTH AFRICA)
Series
- Mad Bounty and The Midnight Gun by Talemwa Pius (UGANDA)
- Guess what? by Hayat Aljowaily (EGYPT)
- Watching Over You by Stephen Nagel (SOUTH AFRICA)
- Survivors of Tromelin by Raissa Loussouf (MADAGASCAR)
Animation
- Zein by Nermeen Salem (EGYPT)
- Sisonkhe Kids Habits by Mfanelo Masuku (ESWATINI)
- Akiki’s Adventures in Azania by Fatuma Abdullah (SOUTH AFRICA)
- Rutu by Mary Njoroge (KENYA)
Talent Press
- Gloria Nkatha (KENYA)
- Tshi Malatji (SOUTH AFRICA)
- Alice Johnson (GHANA)
- Riley Hlatshwayo (SOUTH AFRICA)
- Mohamed Sayed (EGYPT)
