The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) announces the lineup of projects and participants for the 18th edition of Talents Durban, taking place during the Durban FilmMart (DFM) in Durban from 18 to 21 July 2025. As the African satellite program of the Berlin International Film Festival and Berlinale Talents, Talents Durban holds a significant position within the DFMI’s programming portfolio.
Berlinale Talents is a networking platform organized by the Berlin International Film Festival, offering a space for emerging filmmakers to connect, learn, and collaborate. Talents Durban serves as its African counterpart, providing a similar platform specifically tailored to the continent’s unique filmmaking landscape.
“The caliber and diversity of applications this year reflect the growing vibrancy of African storytelling,” says DFMI Director Magdalene Reddy. She adds, “This year’s cohort demonstrates remarkable innovation in form and content, with projects that naturally embody our theme of building bridges. Throughout the intensive four-day in-person program and the 2-month online program, these emerging talents will not only develop their technical skills but also forge lasting connections with industry professionals and fellow creators from across the continent—connections that will sustain African cinema’s growth for years to come.”
This edition of Talents Durban is distinguished by its inclusion of participants from 18 African countries, who collectively reflect the continent’s diversity of emerging film professionals. The selection process was highly competitive, with over 500 applications resulting in the choice of 26 distinctive projects and 5 film critics, each bringing a fresh perspective to features, documentaries, shorts, series, animation, and film criticism.
Selected talents will participate in a series of project-oriented, hands-on skills development programs. These include sessions such as Story Junction, where participants present their projects to producers and financiers, alongside masterclasses and one-on-one mentorship opportunities. Domoina Ratsara, Francis Brown, Joel Karekezi, Karabo Lediga, Laza Razanajatovo, Mamounata Nikiemai, Mayye Zayedi, Mmabatho Kau, Rumbi Katedzai, and Tarek Mohamed will serve as mentors for the 2025 edition. They will provide invaluable guidance and generously share their expertise with the participants.
Official 2025 Talents Durban Participants and Projects:
Fiction Features
The Most High by Samuel Kizito (UGANDA)
MENELIK III by Hassan Zaroug (RWANDA/SUDAN)
No Man’s Land by Sean Mongie (SOUTH AFRICA)
Nuusiku by Laudika Hamutenya (NAMIBIA)
The Prophecy by Rehanna Ngom (SENEGAL)
LET THIS DAY END by Karim Berrhouma (TUNISIA)
Documentary Features
Designing Divide by Jessie Ayles (SOUTH AFRICA)
Green Island Girls by Rogena Tarek (EGYPT)
One Man’s Dream by Chisomo Kawaga (MALAWI)
Mwiba (A Thorn) by Gwantwa Mwakalinga (TANZANIA)
Ghana Must Go! by Joewackle Kusi (GHANA)
KUMFOGA by Dissirama BESSOGA (TOGO)
SHORTS
The Soil’s Silent Smell by Melkamu Haile (ETHIOPIA)
My chicken (Huku Yangu) by Dereck NZIYAKWI (ZIMBABWE)
Based on Future Events: Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me? by Bassma Farah Nancy (EGYPT)
DELIVERY MAN by Ani ELIAM (COTE D’IVOIRE)
Butterflies by Aghogho ‘Tega’ Onobrakpeya (NIGERIA)
Trucker Man by Shiefaa Hendricks (SOUTH AFRICA)
SERIES
Mad Bounty and The Midnight Gun by Talemwa Pius (UGANDA)
Guess what? by Hayat Aljowaily (EGYPT)
Watching Over You by Stephen Nagel (SOUTH AFRICA)
Survivors of Tromelin by Raissa Loussouf (MADAGASCAR)
ANIMATION
Zein by Nermeen Salem (EGYPT)
Sisonkhe Kids Habits by Mfanelo Masuku (ESWATINI)
Akiki’s Adventures in Azania by Fatuma Abdullah (SOUTH AFRICA)
Rutu by Mary Njoroge (KENYA)
TALENTS PRESS
Gloria Nkatha (KENYA)
Tshi Malatji (SOUTH AFRICA)
Alice Johnson (GHANA)
Riley Hlatshwayo (SOUTH AFRICA)
Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rehim (EGYPT)
The project manager of Berlinale Talents, Nikola Joetze, highlighted their anticipation, stating, “We are deeply impressed by the strong, emerging cinematic voices from the African continent. So, it goes without saying that we are extremely proud to have the Durban FilmMart as our amazing partner, with Talents Durban providing this rich and powerful springboard for pan-African filmmakers to further strengthen their careers, build important networks, and join and enrich the international community of Berlinale Talents. Congratulations to the selected Talents, and thank you to the entire Talents Durban team, including the amazing mentors. We cannot wait to see these projects thrive, appear on screen one day, and hear the thoughts and reflections of the selected film critics!”
As the premier film market in Africa, the 16th edition of the Durban FilmMart, under the theme “Bridges Not Borders: Stories that Unite,” welcomes industry professionals to Durban for a four-day engagement. The event recognizes that strength lies in connection rather than isolation, supporting creative visions, creating new distribution pathways, and pioneering audiovisual frontiers. DFM celebrates the innovative and creative talents who are crafting the future narrative of African cinema.
Early bird registration for participation is now open until 31 May 2025.
For more information and to register, please visit HERE. The Durban FilmMart Institute receives principal funding from the Durban Film Office and the eThekwini Municipality. For further inquiries, contact: info@durbanfilmmart.com
Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where film professionals and content are globally competitive and celebrated. The mission of the Durban FilmMart Institute is to provide appropriate and effective programs and services to promote, support, and facilitate investment in the African film industry.
