East Africa Well Represented at Durban FilmMart 2024

Durban, South Africa – The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has announced a diverse lineup for the 17th edition of Talents Durban, taking place during the Durban FilmMart (DFM) this July. This prestigious program fosters the development of emerging African filmmakers.

This year’s edition boasts a record number of applicants, with 26 film projects and 4 film critics selected from a pool of 499 applications. These participants hail from 15 African countries, showcasing the continent’s vibrant filmmaking talent.

East Africa is well-represented with projects like “Pepo Kali” by Kenyan director Lydia Matata, “Rusaro” from Rwandan screenwriter Jeanpierre Niyigena, and the Tanzanian film “The Space Maasai” by Priscilla Marealle. Ethiopia contributes “Tiny Grain, Big War” by Leul Shoaferaw and “Revolution (Abyot)” directed by Abigail Megbar Debebe.

“Talents Durban is a core component of our commitment to nurturing emerging filmmakers,” said DFMI director Magdalene Reddy. “This partnership with Berlinale Talents provides a rigorous platform for these bold African stories to reach regional and international audiences.”

The program offers participants access to workshops, mentoring sessions, and networking opportunities with industry professionals. This year’s participants will join a thriving global community of alumni established by Berlinale Talents.

“We are extremely proud to welcome this year’s strong selection to the Talents community,” said Nikola Joetze and Florian Weghorn, heads of Berlinale Talents.

The full list of 2024 Talents Durban participants includes projects across fiction features, documentaries, shorts, animation, and film criticism.

iction Features

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

Documentary Features

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

Shorts

“Adame” – Binetou Faye (Senegal) – Screenwriter and Director
“Langalanga” – Fofo “Togbe” Gavua (Ghana) – Director and Screenwriter
“Nebula” – Michel Doss (Egypt) – Director and Screenwriter
“Stay” – Tomi Folowosele (Nigeria) – Screenwriter
“The Mountain in the Sea (Hoerikwaggo)” – Leandros Brown (South Africa) – Director and Screenwriter
“Trust Me (Ngithembe)” – Samke Makhoba (South Africa) – Director and Screenwriter

Series

“Grève” – Adannou Gildas (Benin) Director and Screenwriter
“The Mind of Alkebulan” – Esther Beukes (Namibia) Director and Screenwriter
“Rue 6” – Djeydi Djigo (Senegal) Screenwriter
“VigilAunties” – Loren Loubser (South Africa) Director and Screenwriter

Animation

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

Talents Press

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