The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has officially revealed the participants for the 19th edition of Talents Durban, taking place from 9 – 12 October 2026 during the Durban FilmMart (DFM).
As the African satellite programme of Berlinale Talents (the networking platform of the Berlin International Film Festival), Talents Durban is a vital launchpad for the continent’s emerging filmmakers, animators, and film critics. This year’s selection was highly competitive, drawing a record-breaking 551 applications from across the continent.
“The Durban FilmMart Institute remains committed to advancing African cinema through strategic collaborations that expand international access to professional networks, markets, and sustainable industry opportunities… This partnership helps to contribute meaningfully to the long-term growth and sustainability of the African film ecosystem.”
— Magdalene Reddy, DFMI Director
Key Highlights for 2026
Continental Diversity: 26 creators and 6 film critics representing 18 African countries were selected across fiction, documentary, episodic content, animation, and criticism.
Rigorous Development: Participants will undergo intensive, project-oriented mentorship, including Story Junction pitching sessions, masterclasses, and one-on-one consultations with industry leaders.
2026 Mentors Include: Akosua Adoma Owusu, Amine Hattou, Bongi Ndaba, Comfort Arthur, Jihane Bougrine, Mayye Zayed, Nicole Schafer, Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, Ramadan Suleman, and Razanajaona Ambinintsoa Luck.
A New Era for Talent Press
This year, the Talent Press stream evolves into a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Digital Newsroom model, simulating a live film festival newsroom.
Real-World Experience: Partnering with the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival and the Durban International Film Festival, participants will publish live critical writing.
Expert Leadership: Acclaimed alumni Wilfred Okiche and Domoina Ratsara return as Section Editors.
New Global Award: In a new partnership between DFMI, FIPRESCI, and the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), one outstanding critic will be awarded an invitation to cover CIFF 2026 and contribute to its official English-language daily publication.
Official 2026 Talents Durban Cohort & Projects
Fiction Features
Kelvin Kagambo – Dogi Dogi (Tanzania)
Lawrencia Aphua Larbi-Amoah – Bare Feet (Ghana)
Meekaaeel Adam – The Violent Type (South Africa)
Mélanie K. ZAWADI – THE BASEMENT (DRC)
Russell Oru – The Things We Leave Behind (Nigeria)
Shandra Apondi – The Words I Do Not Have (Kenya)
Documentaries
Ahmed Shams Nagm Eldin – SABARY (Sudan)
Hussein Eddeb – The birth of Derna (Libya)
Junior Mozese – ABÉTI (DRC)
Michelle Simon – Rivers: Under Threat (South Africa)
Ramaroson Razafimbelo Anatole – Fitampoha, the return of the king of Menabe (Madagascar)
Sarra El Abed – Goodbye Party (Tunisia)
Fiction Shorts
Daisy Masembe – Rukia (Uganda)
Ghazzal Abdullah – Facing the Sun (Egypt)
Moso Sematlane – Nightbirds (Lesotho)
Sarah Abena Adjei – Awake (Ghana)
Tendaiishe Chitima – The Last Tree on Kilimanjaro (Zimbabwe)
Xola Limba – Only We Remain (South Africa)
Episodic Content
Cheyi Okoaye – Cause, Effect & Maybe Consequences? (Nigeria)
Des Dlamini – Slightly Awkward (South Africa)
Rudo Furusa – Borrowed Skin (Botswana)
SOGOBA Hawa – The Eleventh Year (Mali)
Animation
Jack Machiridza – All You Sheep (Zimbabwe)
Kirollos George – Alexandria forever (Egypt)
Pule Mohotsi – Amandla (South Africa)
Talent Press (Film Criticism)
Elijah Oluwanisola (Nigeria)
Hlumela Luvuno (South Africa)
NEYA Harouna (Burkina Faso)
Michelle Abuti (Kenya)
Domoina Ratsara (Madagascar) – Alumni Editor
Wilfred Okiche (Nigeria) – Alumni Editor