Considered an associated programme of Berlinale Talents, Talents Durban is aimed at nurturing emerging African filmmakers, animators and film critics through training, professional development and international networking avenues.
By Adedamola Jones Adedayo
The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has unveiled the list of participants for the 19th edition of Talents Durban, which will take place during the Durban FilmMart (DFM) in Durban, South Africa, from 9th to 12th October, 2026.
Considered an associated programme of Berlinale Talents, the annual summit and talent development programme of the Berlin International Film Festival, Talents Durban is aimed at nurturing emerging African filmmakers, animators and film critics through training, professional development and international networking avenues.
The 2026 edition of Talents Durban brings together participants from 17 African countries. It received a record 551 applications, from which 25 participants and 6 film critics were selected across different formats, including feature and short fiction, documentary, animation, episodic content, and film criticism.
Participants will undergo intensive project-focused and hands-on professional development initiatives, encompassing pitch sessions, mentorship engagements, masterclasses and direct consultations with notable industry experts.
This year’s mentors include Akosua Adoma Owusu, Amine Hattou, Bongi Ndaba, Comfort Arthur, Jihane Bougrine, Mayye Zayed, Nicole Schafer, Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, Ramadan Suleman and Razanajaona Ambinintsoa Luck.
Concerning the anticipated edition, DFMI Director, Magdalene Reddy, said: “The Durban FilmMart Institute remains committed to advancing African cinema through strategic collaborations that expand international access to professional networks, markets, and sustainable industry opportunities. Talents Durban is central to this vision. Now in its 19th year of partnership with Berlinale Talents, this partnership helps to contribute meaningfully to the long-term growth and sustainability of the African film ecosystem.”
Nikola Joetze and Tobias Pausinger, Heads of Berlinale Talents, affirmed the position of Talents Durban not only as a creative partner but also as a force for amplifying exceptional creativity in African filmmaking and storytelling for the greater cause of global cinematic pursuits.
“Year after year, we are inspired by how Talents Durban nurtures bold artistic voices that embody the spirit of this year’s Berlinale Talents theme, Creating and Confusion, transforming uncertainty into innovation and new narrative possibilities,” they noted.
For Talents Durban 2026, a new Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Digital Newsroom model has been introduced, marking the evolution of the Talent Press stream. The programme will simulate a live festival newsroom environment, transcending the traditional workshop structure.
The current edition also brings back alumni Wilfred Okiche and Domoina Ratsara in new roles as Section Editors. They will be mentoring and collaborating directly with an emerging crop of African critics designated as Festival Film Writers. The programme is further reinforced through collaborations with the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival (4th to 14th June 2026) and the Durban International Film Festival (23rd July to 2nd August 2026), offering participants hands-on festival reporting opportunities and a platform to publish critical commentary from the heart of contemporary African cinema.
Talent Press is an initiative of Talents Durban in collaboration with the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI). Courtesy of a new collaboration between the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), FIPRESCI and DFMI, an outstanding participant from the Talents Durban Press programme at Durban FilmMart 2026 will receive an award presented by CIFF. The selected critic gets to attend and cover CIFF, featuring in its English-language daily publication—an initiative geared towards empowering film criticism across the African continent and fostering long-term opportunities for emerging critical voices to engage with global film culture and discourse.
The following participants have been selected to take part in Talents Durban 2026:
Fiction Features
- Kelvin Kagambo – Dogi Dogi (Tanzania)
- Lawrencia Aphua Larbi-Amoah – Bare Feet (Ghana)
- Meekaaeel Adam – The Violent Type (South Africa)
- Mélanie K. ZAWADI – THE BASEMENT (DRC)
- Russell Oru – The Things We Leave Behind (Nigeria)
- Shandra Apondi – The Words I Do Not Have (Kenya)
Documentaries
- Ahmed Shams Nagm Eldin – SABARY (Sudan)
- Hussein Eddeb – The Birth of Derna (Libya)
- Junior Mozese – ABÉTI (DRC)
- Michelle Simon – Rivers: Under Threat (South Africa)
- Ramaroson Razafimbelo Anatole – Fitampoha, the return of the king of Menabe (Madagascar)
- Sarra El Abed – Goodbye Party (Tunisia)
Fiction Shorts
- Daisy Masembe – Rukia (Uganda)
- Ghazzal Abdullah – Facing the Sun (Egypt)
- Moso Sematlane – Nightbirds (Lesotho)
- Sarah Abena Adjei – Awake (Ghana)
- Tendaiishe Chitima – The Last Tree on Kilimanjaro (Zimbabwe)
- Xola Limba – Only We Remain (South Africa)
Episodic
- Cheyi Okoaye – Cause, Effect & Maybe Consequences? (Nigeria)
- Des Dlamini – Slightly Awkward (South Africa)
- Rudo Furusa – Borrowed Skin (Botswana)
- SOGOBA Hawa – The Eleventh Year (Mali)
Animation
- Jack Machiridza – All You Sheep (Zimbabwe)
- Kirollos George – Alexandria forever (Egypt)
- Pule Mohotsi – Amandla (South Africa)
Talent Press
- Elijah Oluwanisola (Nigeria)
- Hlumela Luvuno (South Africa)
- NEYA Harouna (Burkina Faso)
- Michelle Abuti (Kenya)
- Domoina Ratsara (Madagascar) – Alumni
- Wilfred Okiche (Nigeria) – Alumni