Locarno’s Open Doors Shifts Focus to African Cinema for 2025
Open Doors, Locarno Pro’s renowned initiative dedicated to fostering global film talent from underrepresented regions, is entering a new phase, focusing on African cinema from 2025 to 2028. Supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the program aims to empower filmmakers from 42 African nations through co-production opportunities, talent development, and industry connections.
The submission period for the 2025 edition is open from November 28, 2024, to January 16, 2025. Eligible directors and producers can apply for three revamped programs: Open Doors Projects, Open Doors Producers, and Open Doors Directors. A preparatory webinar will be held on December 12, 2024, offering participants the chance to learn more about the initiative and meet the new team.
In collaboration with YETU (Un)Limited, a pan-African film studio, Open Doors has announced a refreshed artistic team. Yanis Gaye, a Senegalese producer and YETU co-founder, will serve as Head of Studies. Supporting him are Programmer Ibee Ndaw (Gambia/Senegal), along with South African consultants Tiny Mungwe and Mitchell Harper, whose joint experience spans talent development and pan-African community cinema initiatives.
The expanded team also includes established members Marjorie Bendeck (Honduras/Germany), Delphine Jeanneret (Switzerland), and Julia Duarte (Brazil/Portugal). New selection committee members include acclaimed filmmaker Fradique Bastos (Angola), producer Melissa Adeyemo (Nigeria/USA), and Burkinabé director Apolline Traoré. A fifth committee member will be confirmed by year-end.
Head of Studies Yanis Gaye highlighted the program's ambitions, stating, “We aim to consolidate African cinemas from a mangrove of local and international platforms. Open Doors nurtures new dynamics between African markets and Europe, ensuring a collaborative and adaptive program for African cinematic voices.”
Zsuzsi Bánkuti, Head of Open Doors, emphasized the team’s regional expertise, adding, “This new chapter allows us to work closely with a team rooted in African cinema, bringing invaluable experience and networks to the program.”
About Open Doors
Since its launch in 2003, Open Doors has championed filmmakers from regions where cinema faces challenges as a form of cultural expression. By providing training, networking, and public screenings, the initiative fosters sustainable film industries in its focus areas.
With its new African focus, Open Doors continues its mission to amplify the voices of filmmakers from underrepresented communities, building on over two decades of impactful collaboration and innovation.