Spotlight on African Filmmakers: Open Doors 2025 Winners and Awards
The Locarno Film Festival's Locarno Pro-organized co-production platform and talent development program, Open Doors, recently concluded its 23rd edition with a focus on the African continent. The program aims to support emerging filmmakers from regions where artistic expression is at risk by providing training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. This year, the program highlighted projects from Africa through its Projects, Producers, and Directors programs. The festival runs through Aug. 12.
The winners of the Open Doors 2025 grants were announced, with CHF 50,000 awarded to various projects. "Black Snake," directed by Naishe Nyamubaya and produced by Sue-Ellen Chitunya from Zimbabwe, received CHF 25,000 for its captivating story exploring identity and spiritual legacy. "Kachifo (Till the Morning Comes)," directed by Dika Ofoma and produced by Blessing Uzzi from Nigeria, was awarded CHF 20,000 for its original narrative structure. Additionally, "Journal intime d'une femme chèvre (Diary of a Goat Woman)," directed by Azata Soro and produced by Nameïta Lica Touré from Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, received CHF 5,000 for its powerful and poetic reflection on transmission and resistance.
The CNC Development Grant of €8,000 was awarded to "Les Bilokos (The Bilokos)," directed by Erickey Bahati and produced by Giresse Kassonga from DR Congo and France. The ARTEKino International Award of €6,000 went to "Kachifo (Till the Morning Comes)" for its bold and poetic storytelling. The Sørfond Award offers participation in the Sørfond pitching event to "Kachifo (Till the Morning Comes)" for its visually and narratively ambitious project.
The Tabakalera-San Sebastian Film Festival Residency Award was given to Yannick Mizero Kabano from Rwanda for his commitment to fostering the creation of a national film industry. The MECAS Award was presented to June Wairegi from Kenya for her courageous and inspiring independent projects. The Open Doors - OIF - ACP - EU Award of 2,500 Euros was granted to Yannick Mizero Kabano from Rwanda for his dynamic and talented production company.
The Rotterdam Lab Award, provided by the International Film Festival Rotterdam, was awarded to Kamy Lara from Angola for her creative vision and production expertise. The Open Doors - World Cinema Fund Audience Strategy Award, offered by the World Cinema Fund, was given to Kamy Lara from Angola for her artistic and socio-cultural interests in addressing complex societal issues through cinema.