Film Festival Selects Young Africans for Mentorship

By Iminza Keboge
Published May 29, 2018

Nineteen young moviemakers from 13 African countries have been selected for skills-development training at South Africa’s Durban International Film Festival (DIFF).

The five-day 11th annual Talents Durban, that comprises movie shows, panel discussions, festival functions, workshops, masterclasses and seminars, shall take place in the framework of DIFF in KwaZulu-Natal Province July 20-24, 2018.

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Those selected include Kenya’s Brian Munene Gitahi, Sudan’s Amjad Abu Alala, Madagascar’s Mandimbijaona Andriamaharo Razafimanantsoa, Gabon’s Matamba Kombila, Algeria’s Oualid Khelifi, Ghana’s Comfort Arthur, Nigeria’s Emamodeviefe Edosio , Oluyomi Tolulope Ososanya and Sade Adeniran, Benin’s Glele-aboucha Cornélia,Mozambique’s Nildo Essa, Zimbabwe’s Tafadzwa Tarumbwa, Botswana’s Sejang Otumile Tumi Sejoe, Namibia’s Desiree Kahikopo and South Africa’s Aliki Saragas, Howard Mashilo Nthite, Jessie Zinn, Mlingane Dube and Tokoloho Masemene.

“Participants will interact with over 600 delegates from the DIFF and Durban FilmMart, the co-production and finance forum that takes place July 20 – 23 during the festival,” a statement from DIFF says. “The Talents will also participate in several project-oriented, hands-on skills development programmes.”

Saying participants will further develop their film projects through mentorships and expert-guided Project Labs, DIFF says 16 projects will be selected for a two-day preparatory workshop at Durban FilmMart followed by two days of public pitching, round tables, and individual meetings.

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Talents will present their project at Story Junction–a platform showcasing projects linked to DIFF–to peers and industry delegates.

“We are very pleased to have such a diverse range of Talents for our 2018 edition,” says Chipo Zhou, manager of DIFF. “This is a brilliant programme for the development of filmmakers. Here, not only are they able to learn and gather knowledge through the formal programme, but it is a great place to connect with filmmakers from other countries, network and share ideas.”

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