Presented at the DFM annual market

Talents Durban is a training and development programme that brings together Africa’s rising film professionals – screenwriters and directors with fiction, documentary, animation, and hybrid projects in development (this includes all media formats such as film, television series, web series, and content for mobile platforms).

Talents Durban is an initiative of Berlin International Film Festival and is part of six international initiatives of Berlinale Talents. Talents Durban was founded in 2007 as a partnership between the Durban International Film Festival and Berlinale. Since 2019, Talents Durban has become a project of the Durban FilmMart Institute.

Application Information

Applications are currently closed.

Click here for more details on application information.

Deadline: 26 January 2024

Please follow us on social media for updates regarding the opening of applications and deadlines for submissions or you can sign up for our newsletter below.

The Programmes

Storytelling Lab selects three features, three shorts and three TV/Web series currently in development. The stories are given advanced consultation and mentoring by three script editors, as well as participating in scriptwriting workshops.

Doc Lab is a hands-on training programme in which three Talents Durban participants who submitted documentary projects are given expert mentorship.

Animation Lab is open to screenwriters and animation directors with animation projects. The lab will focus on character development, visual development, and the business of animation in Africa.

Talent Press offers mentorship for emerging African film critics and journalists.

As well as focused mentorships, industry-specific expert masterclasses, workshops, and a creative platform for self-expression and networking

Official 2024 Talents Durban Participants and Projects:

Features

A Time to Wander (Le Temps de L’Errance)

(Tunisia)

Director & Screenwriter: Nakhli Rim

Baptism of Silence

(South Africa)

Director & Screenwriter: Kanya Viljoen

Pepo Kali

(Kenya)

Director & Screenwriter: Lydia Matata

Revolution (Abyot)

(Ethiopia)

Director & Screenwriter: Abigail Megbar Debebe

Rusaro

(Rwanda)

Screenwriter: Jeanpierre NIYIGENA

The Space Maasai

(Tanzania)

Screenwriter: Priscilla Marealle

Shorts

ADAME

(Senegal)

Director & Screenwriter: Binetou FAYE

Langalanga

(Ghana)

Director & Screenwriter: Fofo “Togbe” Gavua

Nebula

(Egypt)

Director & Screenwriter: Michel Doss

STAY

(Nigeria)

Screenwriter: Tomi Folowosele

The Mountain in the Sea (Hoerikwaggo)

(South Africa)

Director & Screenwriter: Leandros Brown

Trust Me (Ngithembe)

(South Africa)

Director & Screenwriter: Samke Makhoba

Documentary

Akal

(Morocco)

Director & Screenwriter: Basma Rkioui

Breaking the Mold

(Ghana)

Director: Michael Ansah

The devil, The Tune and God

(South Africa)

Director & Screenwriter: Lukhanyo Kumkani

Kloho (Héritage)

(Côte d’Ivoire)

Director: Estelle KONE

My Dream to Fly

(Egypt)

Cinematographer & Director: Asmaa Gamal

Tiny Grain, Big War

(Ethiopia)

Producer & Audience Designer: Leul Shoaferaw

Series

Grève

(Benin)

Director & Screenwriter: ADANNOU Gildas

The Mind of Alkebulan

(Namibia)

Director & Screenwriter: Esther Beukes

Rue 6

(Senegal)

Screenwriter: Djeydi Djigo

VigilAunties

(South Africa)

Director & Screenwriter: Loren Loubser

Animation

Baby Blue

(South Africa)

Animation Director: Allyssa Peters

Hunt Me Not

(Kenya)

Animation Director: Noella Luka

Taste Buds

(South Africa)

Director & Screenwriter: Palesa Lebona

Together (Tomodomo)

(Nigeria)

Animation Director: Love Kanebi

Talent Press (Film Critic/ Journalist)

(Ghana)

Film Critic/Journalist: Tony Asankomah

(South Africa)

Film Critic/Journalist: Bob Perfect

(Uganda)

Film Critic/Journalist: Timothy Niwamanya

(Egypt)

Film Critic/Journalist: Youssra el-Sharkawy

Past Projects

Past projects can be accessed in the ‘Archive

Application Information

Applications are currently open.

Please follow us on social media for updates regarding the opening of applications and deadlines for submissions or you can sign up for our newsletter below.

Click here for more details on application information.

Thank you

Submission received