Participants from 16 countries take part in Talents Durban 2021

The Durban FilmMart Institute has announced the participants of the 14th edition of Talents Durban, within the official Durban FilmMart, which takes place virtually from 16 to 25 July.

Founded in partnership with the Berlin International Film Festival and the Berlinale Talents project, Talents Durban is a highlight on the Durban FilmMart calendar.

The five-day training and development programme offers talents a unique opportunity to engage with award-winning filmmakers and directors in a series of seminars, workshops, and masterclasses.

This year, Talents Durban introduces Francophone projects from the African diaspora as it continues to inspire a sense of community on the continent by representing many languages and cultures. 

After a rigorous adjudication process, 28 projects and six film critics from 16 countries across the continent made the final cut.

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Six fiction features, four episodic, five animations, six documentaries, seven fiction shorts films, and six film critics have been selected.

This year’s panel includes a number of industry experts whose work has earned both national and international acclaim.

With principal funding from the Durban Film Office and Ethekwini Municipality, the Durban FilmMart will present a comprehensive online programme of discussions, masterclasses, and hangouts in addition to the Finance Forum, thereby contributing to the growth of film industries across Africa.  

You can register for the Durban FilmMart here

Here's a look at the participants and  projects: 

Fiction Feature Selection:

Kinafo, (COTE D'IVOIRE), Animation Director, Adja Soro
The Northern Lights (L’Aurore Boréale), (TUNISIA), Director, Oubeyd Ayari
Dance Rosa! (Rosa Baila!), (MOZAMBIQUE), Screenwriter, Milvia Atiana
Bushrider (Bosryer), (SOUTH AFRICA), Director, Aadil Dhalech
YVETTE, (KENYA), Director, Se'ydou Mukali
THE PATH OF RUGANZU Part 2, (SIERRA LEONE), Director, Lloyd Zachariah

Fiction Shorts Selection:

WHISPERS FROM MY MOTHER (KENYA), Director, Patricia Geula
THE LANTERN (LA LANTERNE), (BENIN), Director, Nelly BEHANZIN 
Trouble (Wahala), (NIGERIA), Director, Sunny King
Crisis, (COTE D'IVOIRE), Director, Rita Ambeu
The pet, (CAMEROON), Director Njitam Amos
Why The Cattle Wait (SOUTH AFRICA), Director, Phumi Morare
Mob Passion, (SOUTH AFRICA), Director, Twiggy Matiwana

Documentary Selection:

Fanta Sacko, (MALI)    Director, Kanouté Kankou      
Hear Me Out, (SOUTH AFRICA) Director, Celean Nacken     
A History of Distance, (SOUTH AFRICA) Director, Michael James
Solo Moms, (NIGERIA) Screenwriter, Ann Sarafina
Searching for Woody, (EGYPT) Director, Sara Shazli 
Terror Scars (Marcas de Terrorismo), (MOZAMBIQUE) Director, Elisio Bajone       

Animation Selection:

Egg (YAI), (KENYA), Screenwriter, Justus Macharia
The Stonemason, (SOUTH AFRICA), Animation Director, Erentia Bedeker
Twins (Ibeji), (NIGERIA), Screenwriter, Omotunde Akiode
Lioness (La Lionne), (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO), Director, Christian Mokuba
The Memory Keepers (Les Gardiens de la Mémoire), (COTE D'IVOIRE) Animation Director, Roland “Kouadio” Oka

Episodic Selection:

Choice Assorted, (SOUTH AFRICA) Screenwriter Obvious Nomaele
Meet My Family, (ZIMBABWE) Screenwriter Ian Msakanda
Outer Rim Job, (SOUTH AFRICA) Director Xolelwa “Ollie” Nhlabatsi
ADAM TO EVE, (KENYA) Director, Lizz Njagah

Talent Press (Film Critic / Journalist) Selection:

Hélio Nguane (MOZAMBIQUE)
Adham Youssef (EGYPT)
Aina Randrianatoandro (MADAGASCAR)
Thabisa Ngcobo (SOUTH AFRICA)
Precious “Mamazeus” Nwogu (NIGERIA)
Buule Gabriel (UGANDA)

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Main image: Supplied 

- Press Release