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Locarno Film Festival unveils Africa-focused line-up for Open Doors programme
On August 12, a panel of professional jury members will grant awards to the selected winning projects.
The Locarno Film Festival has revealed the line-up for the 23rd edition of its Open Doors programme, with a renewed focus on the African continent. After completing a three-year cycle centred on Latin America and the Caribbean, the initiative shifts its attention to Africa for the next four editions, aiming to spotlight emerging filmmaking talent across the region. The 2025 edition, running from August 7 to 12 during Locarno Pro, will offer a blend of industry training, mentorship, networking and public events.
Six film projects from across Africa have been selected for Open Doors Projects, the co-production platform. The line-up includes Les Bilokos, a documentary from the Democratic Republic of the Congo by director Erickey Bahati and producer Giresse Kassonga; the Ivorian-Burkinabé hybrid documentary-animation Diary of a Goat Woman by Azata Soro and Nameita Lica Toure; The Fortunate, a dark comedy from Ethiopia by Habtamu Gebrehiwot and Nahusenay Dereje; the Nigerian reincarnation-themed romance Kachifo (Till The Morning Comes) by Dika Ofoma and producer Blessing Uzzi; the Senegalese family drama Lutteurs (Fighters) from director Alassane Sy and producer Jules Dieng; and Black Snake, a supernatural mystery from Zimbabwe directed by Naishe Nyamubaya and produced by Sue-Ellen Chitunya.
In parallel, the Open Doors Producers initiative has selected six producers from Angola, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The programme aims to strengthen creative production networks across Africa and support sustainable collaborative models. The chosen participants include Kamy Lara, Moustapha Sawadogo, Leul Shoaferaw, June Wairegi, Yannick Mizero Kabano and Kudakwashe Miss Maradzika.
Yanis Gaye, the new Head of Studies at Open Doors said: '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 programme, we aim to strengthen both the creative vision and business acumen necessary to navigate selective markets while maintaining distinctive narrative voices. Participants will acquire the frameworks to develop their production companies into sustainable creative enterprises, while exploring ways to foster more equitable international co-production partnerships.'
Zsuzsi Bánkuti, Head of Open Doors, 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. We aim to contribute to a stronger regional and international film ecosystem by supporting a generation of filmmakers whose diverse ideas and ways of working foster a more sustainable and collaborative film community.'
The programme will culminate in a professional jury session on August 12, where financial and in-kind prizes will be awarded. These include the CHF 50,000 Open Doors Grant supported by visions sud est and the City of Bellinzona, the EUR 8,000 CNC Development Prize, and the EUR 6,000 Arte Kino International Prize. Additional industry support will come from partners such as the International Culture Center Tabakalera, the San Sebastian Film Festival, Sørfond, the World Cinema Fund, OIF, IFFR Pro, and the Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur.
Meanwhile, directors of selected short films will participate in the Open Doors Directors programme, gaining access to talks, workshops, and networking opportunities. Details of the short film selections will be announced on July 8, alongside the festival's official line-up. This expanded African focus marks a significant step in Locarno's commitment to fostering underrepresented cinematic voices on a global stage.
