Locarno Film Festival’s Open Doors program, which aims to support filmmakers from underrepresented parts of the world, has unveiled a new team for the next four years of its mission: focused on supporting and elevating African cinema .
Previously focused on Latin America and the Caribbean, the co-production and talent development program will turn its attention to the African continent over the next four years, working with pan-African film studio collective YETU (Un)Limited to help strengthen local cinemas in Africa. ecosystem and increase the international profile of African filmmakers.
Producer and YETU co-founder Yanis Gaye (Senegal) has been appointed head of research for the initiative, leading a team of industry professionals, many of whom have deep roots in African cinema.
Ibee Ndaw from Gambia/Senegal joins as Open Doors Programmer, bringing extensive experience as a festival manager and sales agent. Tiny Mungwe and Mitchell Harper, producers from South Africa with 15 years of experience in pan-African community films, will serve as artistic advisors.
The selection committee will be made up of prominent African filmmakers, including Angolan director and programmer Vladik Bastos, Nigerian-American producer Melissa Adeyemo and Burkina Faso director Apollo ·Traore. They will work with Julia Duarte in Locarno to identify and support emerging talent.
(Left to right, top to bottom: Yanis Gaye, Ibee Ndaw, Tiny Mungwe, Mitchell Harper, Marjorie Bendeck, Delphine Jeanneret, Julia Duarte, Fradique Bastos, Melissa Adeyemo, Apolline Traoré)
©Marine Berger, Locarno Film Festival
Zsuzsi Bánkuti, head of Open Doors, emphasized the program’s commitment to creating a “safe and creative space” for film professionals, underscoring the team’s deep understanding of the regional film landscape.
Filmmakers from 42 eligible African countries can apply for three main programs: Open Doors Project, Open Doors Producers and Open Doors Directors. Submissions will be open from November 28 to January 16, 2025, and a webinar is planned for December 12 this year to provide further information to interested participants.
