Locarno Unveils Open Doors Program Projects, Producers for First Edition of Africa Focus
Open Doors, the Locarno Film Festival's Locarno Pro-organized co-production platform and talent development program for filmmakers from regions where artistic expression is at risk, is gearing up for its 23rd edition this year with a focus on the African continent. On Thursday, six projects in development and six producers selected to participate were unveiled.
Following a three-year cycle dedicated to Latin America and the Caribbean, the program is now offering a platform for emerging voices from Africa through its Projects, Producers, and Directors programs. It provides training, mentoring, and networking opportunities, along public screenings and events during the 2025 edition of Locarno Pro, taking place in the Swiss town Aug. 7-12 during the festival.
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Here is a look at the six projects in development selected to participate in the co-production track:
Congolese veteran documentary Les Bilokos (Bilokos), directed by Erickey Bahati and produced by Giresse Kassonga for Gikas Films;
documentary-animation hybrid Journal Intime d'une Femme-Chèvre (Diary of a Goat Woman), a co-production between the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, represented by director Azata Soro and producer Nameita Lica Toure (TSK Films);
Ethiopian project The Fortunate, a dark comedy by director Habtamu Gebrehiwot and producer Nahusenay Dereje (MTF Multimedia);
Nigerian reincarnation romance Kachifo (Till The Morning Comes) by director Dika Ofoma and producer Blessing Uzzi (Bluhouse Studios);
Lutteurs (Fighters), a Senegalese wrestling family drama by director Alassane Sy and producer Jules Dieng (Thiely Films);
Zimbabwean supernatural mystery Black Snake by director Naishe Nyamubaya and producer Sue-Ellen Chitunya (263 Reels Productions).
The participants of the Open Doors Producers program, a career-building initiative for creative producers, are Kamy Lara (Angola), Moustapha Sawadogo (Burkina Faso), Leul Shoaferaw (Ethiopia), June Wairegi (Kenya), Yannick Mizero Kabano (Rwanda), and Kudakwashe Miss Maradzika (Zimbabwe).
Said Yanis Gaye, the new head of studies at Open Doors: 'The inception of the new cycle of Open Doors is an exciting marker of the role African film industries will play within the global independent film landscape in years to come. The platform designed by our passionate artistic team is a space where talents will be empowered to continue to shape the instruments, strategies, and community these filmmakers need to see their projects and careers blossom. With our program, we aim to strengthen both the creative vision and business acumen necessary to navigate selective markets while maintaining distinctive narrative voices.'
Open Doors head Zsuzsi Bánkuti added: 'As we enter a new cycle focused on the African continent, Open Doors reaffirms its commitment to supporting filmmakers working in contexts where artistic freedom is often challenged. We are excited to welcome a strong slate of predominantly first and second-time filmmakers whose inventive approaches and formal experimentation signal a bold evolution in global cinematic storytelling. The range of perspectives represented is striking — each project brings a distinct voice that challenges narrative conventions.'
On Aug. 12, a panel of professional jury members will grant financial and in-kind awards to selected winning projects.
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Qatar Living
13 hours ago
- Qatar Living
Events this Week – June 8
Eid festivities continue across Qatar with a wide range of exciting events from June 8–14, offering something for everyone. Families can explore the vibrant LEGO® Shows at QNCC, enjoy interactive fun with Blippi at Doha Festival City, or race into action with Sonic at Place Vendôme Mall. Music lovers can immerse themselves in candlelit tributes to Queen and ABBA or attend soulful concerts like Hridayaragangal Season 8. Theatergoers can catch the Arabic play Maskon Laila, while party enthusiasts can celebrate Eid in style at 'Ultra' Live at Glo Bar or the futuristic Another Dimension 2060 at Society Doha. For a truly festive night of cultural celebration, Eid Malhar 3.0 promises dance, music, and joy. LEGO® Shows 2025 LEGO® Shows Qatar is a vibrant celebration of creativity for fans of all ages – from curious kids to lifelong builders. Designed for families, enthusiasts, and school groups, the event features dedicated zones packed with hands-on building, a giant inflatable playground, and multiple stages hosting daily live shows and performances. Guests can also enjoy a cozy cinema zone screening four different LEGO® movies daily, then refuel at the Food Arena with a variety of delicious local and international bites. It's not just an event, it's a 10,000 sqm world of imagination, colour, building and adventure you don't want to miss! Date: June 7 - 22, 2025 Timings: 1 pm – 11 pm Location: QNCC Access: Tickets on Blippi's Garage Blippi is coming to Doha Festival City from June 8 to 14 for a week of fun, games, and learning! Kids can enjoy workshops and surprises at Blippi's Garage from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with meet & greet sessions daily at 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, and 9:00 PM. Spend QAR 250 at any store and show your receipt at the entrance to get access for two kids. Don't miss the fun at Center Court! Date: June 8 -14, 2025 Timings: 2 pm – 10 pm Location: Doha Festival City Sonic the Hedgehog at Place Vendome Mall Place Vendôme Mall invites visitors to speed into the fun with an exciting Sonic-themed adventure, where fans can race, play, and test their skills just like the iconic blue hedgehog. This action-packed experience offers thrilling games and interactive challenges for all ages, along with the chance to meet Sonic in person—making it the perfect destination for family fun and unforgettable memories this season. Date: June 6 - 14, 2025 Timings: 5 pm – 9.40 pm Location: Place Vendôme Mall Access: Free Candlelight: Queen Vs. ABBA Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Doha. Get your tickets now to enjoy the music of Queen Vs. ABBA at the Museum of Islamic Art under the gentle glow of candlelight. Date: June 13, 2025 Timings: 5.30 pm, 7.30 pm Location: Museum of Islamic Art Auditorium Access: Tickets on Maskon Laila Theatrical Play (Arabic) Catch the thrilling Kuwaiti theatrical play Maskon Laila in Qatar this Eid. Date: June 8 - 13, 2025 Timings: Various shows Location: U-Venue Access: Tickets on EID MALHAR 3.O Eid Malhar 3.0 is Qatar's most anticipated Eid celebration – a high-energy cultural extravaganza that brings together music, dance, and joy under one unforgettable night. After two successful editions, this year's event promises a bigger audience, brighter production, and unmatched entertainment. Date: June 13, 2025 Timings: 7 pm Location: Regency Hall Access: Tickets on Q-Tickets HRIDAYARAGANGAL SEASON 8 Hridayaragangal Season 8, presented by Chandrakala Arts, is set to take place on June 12, 2025, at Regency Hall, Doha. Following the success of seven remarkable seasons, this edition promises an enchanting evening dedicated to two legendary icons of Malayalam music and literature — the late ONV Kurup and Girish Puthenchery. Audiences can look forward to soulful performances by celebrated artists including Madhu Balakrishnan, Nishad, Sudeep Kumar, Sumi Aravind, Chithra Arun, Ravishankar, and Vrinda Menon. Hosted by Jayaraj Warrier and directed by Ashok, the event is a musical tribute filled with nostalgia, poetry, and timeless melodies. Date: June 12, 2025 Timings: 7 pm Location: Regency Hall Access: Tickets on Q-Tickets 'ULTRA' Live In Qatar Doha's nightlife is set to ignite as Sri Lanka's techno pioneer, DJ Ultra, takes over Glo Bar at Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 12 for a night of underground beats and electrifying energy. Known for his hard-hitting sets and futuristic soundscapes, DJ Ultra will headline an unforgettable evening backed by stunning visuals and a crowd that lives for the drop. Supporting acts include Mailoh, making his Doha debut, along with local favorites Nafeer and Shariq — promising a full lineup of pulse-pounding music that will keep the dance floor alive all night long. Date: June 12, 2025 Timings: 8 pm Location: Glo Bar, Marriot Marquis City Center Hotel Access: Tickets on Q-Tickets Another Dimension 2060 Celebrate Eid with an immersive multimedia party experience like no other. A night full of art and joy, where light, sound, and visuals merge to take you on a journey beyond reality. Date: June 12, 2025 Timings: 9 pm Location: Society Doha Access: Tickets on Virgin Megastore -- Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content. Instagram - @qatarliving X - @qatarliving Facebook - Qatar Living YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Boston Globe
A Sikh Captain America? Why religious diversity matters in the comics universe.
Representation of non-Abrahamic religions and spiritual traditions, particularly in the mainstream comics universe, is minimal. Even when they are portrayed in comics, their presentation, as Singh and others in the field point out, is often inauthentic and sometimes negative. Recently, however, comic book writers and academics who study the intersection of religion and comics observe a renaissance of sorts, which they say is happening because people close to these faith traditions are telling these stories with a reverence and sincerity that resonate with a wider audience. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Singh's journey to make that connection began after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, triggered anti-Sikh hate incidents. Having faced hate and exclusion throughout his life, he decided to spread his message of kindness and inclusion by capitalizing on the appeal of comics and superheroes — an area where he found Sikh representation to be 'virtually zero.' Advertisement He suited up as Captain Sikh America in Manhattan for the first time in summer 2013 — one year after a self-proclaimed white supremacist opened fire inside a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, killing six and injuring four others. Advertisement New York's reaction to Captain Sikh America was joyous. 'Strangers came up and hugged me,' Singh said. 'Police officers wanted photos with me. A couple wanted me to be part of their wedding ceremony. I felt I had a certain privilege I'd never had before.' In 2016, Singh gave up his full-time job to travel around the country to schools, government agencies and corporations to share his story and educate youth about his culture and faith. He doesn't speak directly about religion but rather the core values of Sikhism. 'I talk about equality, justice and about the universal light being present in every speck of creation,' he said. Marvel's Black Panther heralded better representation for Africana religions in the U.S., according to Yvonne Chireau, a professor of religion at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. However what is seen in Black Panther or other comics is a synthesis of different African religions and cultural practices, she said. For example, one page might talk about the Orishas, divine spirits that play a key role in the Yoruba faith of West Africa, while another might feature Egyptian gods. One of the first superheroes with African religious roots, Chireau said, was Brother Voodoo, created in the 1970s by Marvel publisher Stan Lee, writer Len Wein and artist John Romita. He was the first Haitian superhero. The turn of the last century was a time of revival for Black-centric comics, she said, adding that immigration from African and Caribbean countries, including Haiti, led to increased understanding of religious practices originating in those places. 'It's definitely gotten a lot better and much more authentic because the people who are telling these stories care about those religious practices,' she said. Advertisement Brooklyn-born Haitian American comic book writer Greg Anderson Elysée said he didn't learn about African and Caribbean religious traditions until he was a teenager. Elysée was raised Catholic, but he now considers himself agnostic. For the past decade, he's written comics about Is'nana, the son of Anansi the Spider, the god of wisdom, knowledge and mischief in the Akan religion of West Africa. What drives his vision and his creativity, Elysée said, is the need to see more Black mythology, deities and spirituality showcased with the same level of respect as European fairy tales and Greek mythology. 'When I went looking for anything on African spirituality in the bookstore, I found it in the occult section as opposed to the religion or mythology section,' he said. Common depictions of African faith as voodoo and witchcraft are colonialist narratives aimed at demonizing Indigenous spiritual practices, he added. 'When I started going to ceremonies and rituals, I saw how much power there is in it. When we know who we are — whether you believe in the religion or not — it fills you with joy, a purpose and a sense of being.' Elysée is excited and relieved by the reaction to his work. 'While this is entertainment, you also don't want to offend those who believe in it and truly get so much power from it,' he said. 'Some of my portrayals of these religions in my comics may not be 100% authentic, but there is a level of research and respect that goes into every piece of it.' Zen Buddhism has informed much of John Porcellino's work. For over three decades, he has produced and self-published King-Cat Comics and Stories, a largely autobiographical mini-comic series. Porcellino was drawn to Buddhism in his 20s after what he describes as a period of intense mental suffering and health problems. Advertisement As a punk rock fan, Porcellino saw commonalities between punk and Zen because 'they are both concerned with the essence of things rather than appearances.' Both are ways of life — simple yet nuanced. He gave the example of a wordless story titled 'October,' featured in King-Cat's 30th issue, that shows him as a high school student walking home one night from school. When he gets home, his mom asks him to take the dog outside; as he steps out, he sees the stars. 'It's the experience of being in everyday, mundane life ... and then suddenly breaking through to some kind of transcendence,' he said. Porcellino views these comics as a healing presence in his life. 'They are an important part of my spiritual practice,' he said. 'Any time I have a major crisis in my life, my first reaction is to sit down and start making comics and put my focus into that. It just helps ground me.' Teresa Robeson, who wrote a graphic novel about the 14th Dalai Lama, said that even though her mother was Catholic and raised her in the faith, her grandmother was Buddhist. She grew up in Hong Kong, with memories of relatives praying to Buddhist gods, taking in the fragrance of burning incense and the sound of Buddhist chants. Though she practices neither Catholicism nor Buddhism at this time, Robeson jumped at the opportunity to tell the story of the Dalai Lama in graphic novel form because the book focused on a pivotal moment in the spiritual leader's life, when he fled Tibet for India after the Chinese occupation. Advertisement Robeson liked the idea of representing a religion and culture that do not get much attention in media. 'Children's books are like mirrors and windows for kids,' she said. 'It's helpful especially for children of immigrants who don't often see themselves in mainstream literature. They don't see anyone who looks like them or prays like them. At the same time, it also helps kids who are not Asian or Buddhist to learn something about those communities.' Amar Chitra Katha was a comic book company started by the late Anant Pai in Mumbai in 1967 as a way to teach Indian children about their own mythology and culture. The first title was 'Krishna,' an important god in Hinduism and protagonist of the Bhagavad Gita, one of the religion's main sacred texts. Pai was an engineer turned comic books seller who used varied marketing techniques, including walking around with planks, nails and hammers in his bag so he could build shelves for bookstores that refused to display his comics because they lacked shelf space, said Reena I. Puri, the company's executive editor and a 35-year veteran of the business. Pai started with Hindu mythology and gods but soon expanded to other faiths, releasing a globally successful comic titled 'Jesus Christ' and others about Buddha, Sikh gurus and Mahavira, who founded Jainism. Later came secular comics about historical figures and folktales. But religion remains the mainstay of Amar Chitra Katha, and books that teach children about faith, history and culture are also the most popular in the diaspora, Puri said. Advertisement 'Most recently we've also portrayed (Indigenous) religions and have gathered folktales relating to these traditions from all over India,' she said. Amar Chitra Katha comics faced criticism in the past for their portrayal of gods as fair-skinned and 'asuras' — often the antagonists to the gods — as dark-skinned with demonic facial features. But that has changed, Puri said. 'We've educated ourselves and realized that our ancient texts were not as racist or colorist as we may be today,' she said. 'We're correcting those misconceptions now.' British comic book writer Mike Carey is known for his 2000-2006 DC Comics series 'Lucifer,' which depicts the titular character's adventures on Earth, in Heaven and in various realms after abandoning Hell. Carey counts himself an atheist who went to Sunday school only 'for the fun, stories and chocolate.' Carey portrayed Lucifer as the 'son of God, but as a rebellious disobedient son who wants to find himself as distinct from his father.' He has also explored pagan themes, particularly what he called the 'weird interface between British folklore and British religious traditions.' Carey delved into the concepts of faith, God and morality in a series titled 'My Faith in Frankie,' which tells the story of a teenager with a personal god called Jeriven who gets jealous of her boyfriend. Even though many of his comics and novels explore religion and ethics, Carey said, he has never 'felt any temptation whatsoever to believe.' 'I've become more and more entrenched in that position, because organized religions are like any organization that sustain themselves, amass power, wealth and authority,' he said. 'So I've never really grappled with religious issues. What I do sometimes is explore, play with and tease out moral issues that were important and meaningful to me.' ___
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Why the Talking Heads are still making more sense than ever 50 years later
Fifty years ago this month, three clean-cut art-school students who called themselves Talking Heads played an audition night at the Bowery club CBGB. Different from the other newly minted punk bands putting the New York City hole-in-the-wall on the map, frontman David Byrne, bassist Tina Weymouth, and drummer Chris Frantz looked and sounded like no one else. The skittish, hollow-eyed singer accompanied his strange, keening vocals and obtuse lyrics with hyper-rhythmic guitarwork, while the petite blond bassist (a rare mid-'70s axe-wielding female) and robust mop-top drummer held down the propulsive groove. Their catchy 'Psycho Killer' — with its sing-along chorus — immediately caught the attention of club owner Hilly Kristal, who booked them for a series of dates, including opening for the Ramones. 7 Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, David Byrne, and Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads, which this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding. Getty Images for BAM Later adding keyboardist/guitarist (and Harvard grad) Jerry Harrison, the band would become 'the most original, musically ambitious, and rigorously creative rock group of their time,' writes Jonathan Gould in his riveting new biography, 'Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock' (out June 16). The book deftly interrelates New York City's cultural, social, and economic history (from its bankruptcy and the downtown art scene to Son of Sam and the '80s boom) as the band evolves into an expanded group of both African-American and white musicians, ambitiously exploring ever-more innovative sounds. A former professional drummer and the author of well-received biographies of the Beatles and Otis Redding, Gould says that 'having grown up in New York, a big part of my attraction to the subject involved the chance to write about the change in the city's social life and geography over the past fifty years.' He focused on Talking Heads, he relates, because 'having written books about the archetype of a rock group and the archetype of a soul singer that together comprised an extended exploration of the centrality of race in Anglo-American popular music, I wanted to tell the story of a second-generation rock group's engagement with Black music — as dramatized by David Byrne.' 7 Frontman David Byrne lives with Asperger's Syndrome, which has heavily influenced his musical delivery. ©Island Alive Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection 7 Talking Heads: Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and David Byrne in an undated picture. ©Island Alive Pictures / Everett Collection Gould calls the Scottish-born, suburban Maryland-raised Byrne 'one of the 'whitest' men ever to front a rock group, but who transformed himself over the course of his career into a singer, musician, and performer embodying many of the most kinetic qualities of Black music while still maintaining an unequivocally 'white' identity.' From reinterpreting Al Green's 'Take Me to the River' to diving into the music of Africa and Latin America, Talking Heads released eight studio albums between 1977 and 1988. The group reunited once in 2002 to perform at their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. More recently, the band reconvened for a public discussion at the Toronto Film Fest and with Stephen Colbert to celebrate the re-release of 'Stop Making Sense,' their seminal 1984 concert doc. 7 'Stop Making Sense,' the Talking Heads' seminal 1984 film, was rereleased last year for its 40th anniversary. Courtesy Everett Collection 7 Byrne in a scene from 'Stop Making Sense.' He was crucial in helping to refine and define the band's embrace of African-American musical traditions. ©Cinecom Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection In 'Burning Down the House,' Gould explores how Byrne's Asperger's syndrome affected his relationships, as well as how it 'exerted a strong influence on his creative sensibility, beginning with his tendency to approach most aspects of music-making without the sort of preconceptions that most of us accept as a way of trying to show other people that we know what we're doing.' Gould adds, 'David's Asperger's also contributed to his remarkable powers of concentration and observation, in part because people on the spectrum learn to pay very close attention to things as a way of navigating an unfamiliar and sometimes incomprehensible world. At the same time, I think it's important to put this in context. David's Asperger's was one of many influences on an artist who sought out and absorbed influences like a sponge. It was not the be-all-and-end-all of his personality or of his creative sensibility.' 7 'Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock' is written by Jonathan Gould. 7 Author Jonathan Gould finished the project even more of a fan of their music than when he began his book some five years ago. Richard Edelman In a gripping narrative, Gould traces Talking Heads' journey from their hometowns to their art schools, Chrystie Street loft, and eventual global stardom. He sharply analyzes their work and includes rich portraits of individuals, art movements, and music scenes in their orbit. While Gould interviewed the band's longtime friends and colleagues, all four declined to speak with him. 'Though I was initially disappointed that they chose not to cooperate with my research,' he says, 'I've come to regard it as a blessing in disguise. I have the feeling that not speaking with them insulated me enough from their conflicting personal narratives to enable me to gain perspective on the formation and musical evolution of the band.' Gould finished the project even more of a fan of their music than when he began his book some five years ago. 'Initially, I was drawn most strongly to the trio of albums — Fear of Music, Remain in Light, and Speaking in Tongues — that had the greatest ambition and intensity,' he relates. 'As a drummer, I have a great appreciation of Chris's playing, beginning with his steadiness and solidity. And I consider David to be a genius — a word I don't use lightly — on account of the utterly distinctive nature of his singing, guitar playing, and songwriting. Simply put, I can't think of anyone else in popular music who sounds like him or writes like him.'
