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Africa's Cinematic Future Unveiled at Locarno
1 Jun
Summary
- Open Doors 2026 focuses on African cinema, featuring diverse projects.
- Program supports filmmakers from equity-seeking and at-risk regions.
- Selection highlights fiction, documentary, and animation from Africa.
The Locarno Film Festival's Open Doors program, a talent development initiative for filmmakers from underrepresented communities, is preparing for its 2026 edition, with a strong focus on African cinema. The selection, announced recently, features a bold and diverse range of projects from across the African continent, encompassing fiction, documentary, and animation, with participation from over 10 countries.
Running from August 5-10, the Open Doors program provides hands-on training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. This year's edition specifically highlights six feature film projects in development, exploring themes of music, memory, womanhood, urban life, and the legacy of colonialism. Additionally, the Open Doors Producers program will support six producers in building sustainable careers, and the Open Doors Directors selection will bring five directors together for workshops and industry events.
The initiative aims to affirm the richness of storytelling from Africa and foster co-production practices, audience-building strategies, and innovative cinema economics. Emphasis is placed on amplifying female voices both behind and in front of the camera, promoting gender parity and horizontal collaboration within the industry. Financial and in-kind prizes will be awarded on August 10, including a scholarship for the EAVE Marketing Workshop and the AFP Critics Prize.
