The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) with support from the DW Akademie, is proud to open the call for participants for the next edition of the Future Mentors Programme to be held in West and North Africa.
The Future Mentors Programme’s mission is to address the scarcity of mentors originating from the African continent and diaspora, while simultaneously equipping the next wave of mentors in Africa with the essential skills they need. Its purpose is to support a capacity-building programme for seasoned film professionals who possess a genuine desire to share their expertise with aspiring film practitioners.
“The inaugural workshop of the Future Mentors Programme, which took place in Durban, South Africa in November 2024, underscored the power of mentorship in fostering safe spaces for creative risk-taking in African film and how mentorship can be a site for horizontal exchange and mutual learning,” says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute. “This programme was created to champion narrative sovereignty across the continent for African films and filmmakers therefore DFMI is pleased to present the next two editions in Senegal and Tunis later this year.”
In 2022 the DFMI hosted a gathering of film experts from across the African continent and diaspora, to embark on an inspiring co-creation journey to design a mentorship programme. The objectives were to focus on best practices, mentee needs, the intangible benefits of mentorship and the crucial balance that mentors must strike between creative and commercial demands. The outcome resulted in the publication of an invaluable guide tailored for both an emerging generation of film mentors and professionals who have been engaging in mentorship already, the Future Mentors Guide, and the development of the curriculum which supports the Future Mentors Programme. Following this, the very first cohort of African film professionals to receive the training convened in Durban in November 2024.
West African Edition
In partnership with Centre Yennenga, the West African edition of the Future Mentors Programme, which will be delivered in French, will take place in Dakar, Senegal from 3 – 7 November 2025. Successful applicants will arrive in Dakar on 2 November and depart on 8 November and must be available for the full duration of the workshop, travel days included.
This edition is inviting applications from French speaking applicants living and working in West Africa or, from applicants who live in the diaspora, born in West Africa, who do work on African films with some or all of the film’s production taking place on the continent.
North African Edition
In partnership with Doc House, the North African edition of the Future Mentors Programme, which will be delivered in Arabic, will take place in Tunis, Tunisia from 3 – 7 November 2025. Successful applicants will arrive in Tunis on 2 November and depart on 8 November and must be available for the full duration of the workshop, travel days included.
This edition is accepting applications from Arabic speaking applicants living and working in North Africa or, from applicants who live in the diaspora, born in North Africa, who do work on African films with some or all of the film’s production taking place on the continent.
Application Criteria
The Future Mentors Programme invites producers, story and script editors and consultants as well as creative producers with African passports (West African and North African) who have a desire to enter the mentorship space.
The programme is looking for filmmakers who have experience as producers, script/story consultants, story editors or creative producers. Applicants should have a film credit in one of these roles on at least two feature-length films in documentary and/or fiction, have been active in the film industry for at least five years, and have attended development labs and programmes or have a history of training experience working with grass roots training programmes.
Kindly note that acceptance into the programme will not be based on a specific film project. (You do not need an active film project to participate in the programme).
In addition to the physical programme, selected participants will need to avail themselves for one online introductory session and five physical days of training taking place in Dakar and Tunis respectively in November 2025.
Film professionals who are interested in the programme will need to provide a detailed Curriculum Vitae with filmography, two contactable referees and two reference letters from a reputable film lab or training institute as well as a one-page letter of motivation for consideration to participate.
Applications close on 31 August at 23:59 (CAT). No applications will be considered after the closing date.
All applicants will be notified by 30 September 2025 of the outcome of their application.
Application form for West Africa: https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/future-mentors-application-information-west-africa/
Application form for North Africa: https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/future-mentors-application-information-north-africa/
Application forms need to be completed in English
About the DFMI
The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI), as a non-profit company, aims to create a world where African film professionals and content are globally competitive and celebrated. The programmes of the DFMI include: Durban FilmMart – Film Finance and Coproduction Market, DFMI Business Lab, DFM Access, Animation@DFM, Future Mentors and FilmMart.Africa
About Centre Yennenga
Yennenga Centre is a hub dedicated to film education, creation, and film programming. Based in Dakar, Senegal, it has three main objectives. Firstly, it aims to train a new generation of cinema technicians through a two-year post-production program. This training covers editing, color grading, sound editing, and mixing.
Secondly, Yennenga Centre presents films that explore social issues, followed by Q&A sessions aimed at a diverse audience, with special emphasis on the younger generation, in order to utilize cinema for educational goals. Lastly, it supports African film production by providing internationally recognized post-production facilities, reducing production costs, and promoting local co-productions.
https://www.instagram.com/centre.yennenga
About Doc House
Doc House is an independent, non-profit organization based in Tunis, founded in 2018 by a collective of filmmakers and cultural practitioners. It strives to foster positive social change and promote the universal values of human rights by using documentary cinema as a tool for awareness and engagement.
Since its founding, Doc House has supported both emerging and established documentary filmmakers, aiming to strengthen a dynamic and autonomous documentary production ecosystem. This effort is carried out through tailored training programs and mentorship opportunities. Doc House is also actively involved in networking, outreach, and production support – contributing to the sustainability and growth of the sector.
To learn more of the programme and to access the Future Mentors Guide in English and French, please visit: