African Film Opportunities
A curated directory of global screenwriting labs, co-production funds, and pitch forums for African creators.
African Producers Accelerator (APA) 2026 Call for Applications
The African Producers Accelerator (APA) is a 12-week intensive programme designed to help mid-career African producers strengthen their production companies, sharpen their strategy, and scale their impact.
JUMPSTART (Durban FilmMart Institute)
Attagirl was a global feature film development lab for female and non-binary filmmakers, created and run by For Film’s Sake (Australia) with major funding from Screen Australia’s Enterprise Business and Ideas programme, and supported by the British Film Institute, Telefilm Canada, Swedish Film Institute, TIFF, Sydney Film Festival, and multiple Australian state screen agencies. Created by For Film’s Sake Executive Director Sophie Mathisen. The 10-month programme worked with creative teams (producer/director/writer) on three content pillars: story, market, and audience. It included workshops integrated with TIFF and Sydney Film Festival, and each team was assigned an international project mentor and access to script, audience, and financial consultants. Teams from Australia, Canada, UK, South Africa, Portugal, Scotland, Sweden, New Zealand, and others participated. Cash prizes were awarded to selected projects at completion. Current Status — Important Caution ⚠ ATTAGIRL APPEARS TO HAVE CONCLUDED AFTER ITS SECOND EDITION (2021–2022). No evidence of a third edition, new call for applications, or new cohort has been found in any search results, press coverage, or on the programme’s own website (attagirl.online) as of March GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN FILM & SERIES MAKERS | 2025/2026 EDITION | Updated March 2026 Compiled March 2026 directed by Cati Weinek with Fab Claude.. Always verify deadlines and eligibility on official programme websites before applying. 2026. The Screen Australia Enterprise programme that funded it was project-specific. For Film’s Sake’s own website and LinkedIn show no recent Attagirl activity. What is confirmed: Edition 1 (2020/21) ran with 13 international projects. Edition 2 (2021/22) ran with 7 teams, concluding July 2022 with AUD 35,000 in prizes. A Pilot Report gathering data from both editions was in preparation as of 2022. No Edition 3 has been announced or evidenced. This guide does not include it as an active opportunity. However, because it was genuinely significant for global female and non-binary filmmakers — and did include a South African participant in Edition 2 — it is documented here so you know it existed and can monitor whether it re-launches.
DFM ACCESS (Durban FilmMart Institute)
DFM Access is an entry-level programme for South African producers who have never before pitched at a market or participated in an international lab. It is the first step in the Durban FilmMart Institute’s structured pathway for emerging producers. The programme runs from approximately May to August each year, with applications typically opening in April.
CREATIVE PRODUCER INDABA (Realness Institute)
The Creative Producer Indaba (CPI) is a six-month professional development fellowship for independent film producers, now in its 5th edition (2025–2026). It is a collaboration between the GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN FILM & SERIES MAKERS | 2025/2026 EDITION | Updated March 2026 Compiled March 2026 directed by Cati Weinek with Fab Claude.. Always verify deadlines and eligibility on official programme websites before applying. Realness Institute and EAVE (Europe’s leading producer training body), the Indian Ocean International Film Festival (FIFOI), and Maison du Cinéma et des Jeux Vidéo, with financial support from Région Réunion (France). Its funding coalition is exceptional: Canada Media Fund, Telefilm Canada, FOCAL (Switzerland), the Austrian Film Institute, the French National Centre of Cinema (CNC), and Institut français Création Africa. It is the only programme in this guide specifically designed for producers rather than writers or directors, and accepts producers with or without a project. The 5th edition is notable because all three workshops take place within Africa and the Indian Ocean region — a deliberate shift to root the programme on African soil. Screen International covered the 5th cohort announcement in December 2025. For Films, Series, or Docs? Producers may apply with a project in any format: feature fiction, episodic series, or feature documentary at any stage of development or production. Producers may also apply without a project. This is the only programme in this guide for producers, not writers.
AUTHENTICA SERIES LAB (Realness Institute)
The AuthenticA Series Lab is Realness Institute’s six-month programme for African episodic screenwriters, developed and delivered in partnership with The StoryBoard Collective, with support from the Canada Media Fund, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Series Mania Forum (Europe’s largest co-production series market and festival), and the French Embassy in South Africa. Now in its 4th edition (completed March 2026), it is explicitly designed to elevate African episodic storytelling to the global stage. The programme spans three countries across two continents: South Africa, Switzerland, and France — culminating in selected writers pitching their projects live at the African Series Pitch at Series Mania Forum in Lille, which is integrated into the main Series Mania Forum (see entry 14 in this guide). This creates a direct pipeline from African development to Europe’s biggest series co-production market. Writers retain full intellectual property rights throughout. The Canada Media Fund funds one place per cohort specifically for a Canadian writer from the African diaspora.
REALNESS AFRICAN SCREENWRITERS RESIDENCY
Founded in 2015, the Realness African Screenwriters Residency is the flagship and founding programme of the Realness Institute — a residential development incubator for African feature film scripts, held at a creative sanctuary in Stamford, South Africa (Western Cape). Six screenwriters are selected per cycle. The programme consists of six weeks of intensive on-site training with mentors, followed by a further six weeks of home-based development with continued mentor contact. Since its founding it has received over 650 submissions from 23 African countries and has worked with over 30 film projects. Two films produced from alumni projects have both secured international sales agents and screened at major international festivals worldwide: A Fool God by Hiwot Adamasu (Ethiopia), and This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese (Lesotho) — which won 32 international awards. What makes this residency distinctive is its deliberate use of African script consultants and African producers as mentors, creating a development environment rooted in African creative perspective rather than a European one. It also functions as a year-round alumni support system.
MARRAKECH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL — ATLAS
The Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM) — one of the most prominent film festivals in Africa and the Arab world, founded in 2001 by HM King Mohammed VI — runs a full industry ecosystem called Atlas Programs. The flagship is the Atlas Workshops (Ateliers de l’Atlas), launched in 2018. Now in its 8th edition (2025) and entering its 9th in 2026, it is the primary industry platform for emerging GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN FILM & SERIES MAKERS | 2025/2026 EDITION | Updated March 2026 Compiled March 2026 directed by Cati Weinek with Fab Claude.. Always verify deadlines and eligibility on official programme websites before applying. Moroccan, Arab, and African filmmakers, running five days onsite in Marrakech alongside the main festival every November/December. The 2025 (8th) edition selected 28 projects from 12 countries and brought together 350 international professionals for more than 525 one-on-one co-production market meetings — a record since the programme’s creation. Eight of the 28 projects received awards totalling EUR 120,000. Atlas Programs now encompasses: Atlas Workshops (development and post-production support for Arab and African filmmakers); Atlas Distribution Meetings (launched 2025 — four-day event bringing 60 distribution professionals from the Arab world, Africa, and Europe to discover Arab and African films); Atlas Station (Moroccan-specific professional development); and Atlas Press (film criticism training). The festival is chaired by HRH Prince Moulay Rachid. Artistic Director Rémi Bonhomme actively positions Marrakech as a bridge between African, Arab, and global cinema. The 23rd FIFM is confirmed for 20–28 November 2026.
CINEMART — INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM
CineMart is the world’s oldest and most prestigious co-production market for independent feature films, founded in 1983 as part of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). Now in its 43rd edition (2026), it runs for four days each February alongside the full IFFR festival. CineMart was the first platform of its kind to offer filmmakers the opportunity to launch their ideas to the international film industry, and its alumni include some of world cinema’s most celebrated films. IFFR Pro, the festival’s industry arm, is considered among the most respected in the world for independent film development and financing. CineMart is strongly connected to Africa through its sister programme, the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF, entry 10 in this guide), which has supported African filmmakers for decades. In 2026, IFFR launched CineMart x HBF — a dedicated strand within CineMart for projects that have already received HBF support, creating a powerful pipeline: African filmmaker receives HBF funding, then presents the same project at CineMart to international co-producers and financiers. African and diaspora films regularly feature in the CineMart selection. The 2026 selection explicitly included projects from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. CineMart 2026 also launched Safe Harbour — a new initiative supporting filmmakers affected by displacement and forced migration.
ASIA TV FORUM & MARKET (ATF)
The Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) is Asia's leading international content market, held every December at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, with participants from 60+ countries. ATF runs the ATF In-Development Club — a pitch session for global series and film projects. December timing (after MIPCOM, before the US market season) makes it the last major deal-making event of the year. African content has participated and Asian streamers are increasingly interested in African stories, particularly via Nollywood's expanding digital distribution partnerships with Southeast Asian platforms. Singapore is increasingly connected to African content markets. ATF is more
FINAL CUT IN VENICE
Final Cut in Venice is a three-day workshop running inside the Venice Production Bridge during the Venice Film Festival, dedicated EXCLUSIVELY to films from Africa and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen. Running since 2013, now in its 14th edition (2026). Up to 6 films in post- production are selected and their working copies are presented to international producers, buyers, distributors, and festival programmers. One-to-one meetings are then organised between selected film teams and attending professionals. This is one of the most directly Africa-specific opportunities at any major international film festival. Past editions have selected films from Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, and many more.
VENICE GAP-FINANCING MARKET 🟢 OPEN NOW
The Venice Gap-Financing Market is the financing market inside the Venice Production Bridge, which runs alongside the Venice International Film Festival — one of the world's three most prestigious film festivals (alongside Cannes and Berlin). Specifically for international producers with a film or documentary that is mostly financed but needs to close the remaining gap (up to 30% of budget). Up to 45 projects are selected globally for one-on-one meetings with producers, sales agents, distributors, financiers, broadcasters, and funds. All invited professionals are decision-makers — no juniors, no scouts. If selected, the festival covers four nights of accommodation for the director and producer. Previous editions have featured South African, Moroccan, Senegalese, and Tunisian projects.
SHEFFIELD DOCFEST MEETMARKET
Sheffield DocFest is the UK's leading documentary festival and one of the world's most influential documentary markets. Its MeetMarket is now in its 21st edition and is widely considered the world's most productive documentary pitching forum — with 150+ international funders, broadcasters, festival programmers, and sales agents attending, and curated 30-minute one-on-one meetings for every selected project. Past MeetMarket projects include films that went on to Academy Award nominations and wins. Sheffield DocFest has an explicit commitment to internationalism and inclusivity. In 2026, the festival especially encourages submissions from projects originating from podcast storytelling — a rapidly growing format in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
IDFA FORUM PITCH
The IDFA Forum Pitch is the co-production and co-financing market at the heart of IDFA — the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, the world's largest documentary festival with 295,000 visits and 3,000 industry professionals each November. African documentary filmmakers submit a documentary project that is in production (not yet in post) for the Forum Pitch. If selected, the project is presented live to international broadcasters, distributors, and financiers. The selection committee explicitly considers geography and seeks a balanced global selection. Each selected project is listed in a printed IDFA Forum publication distributed to all Forum passholders, and the trailer is made available to all registered industry professionals before the event.
REALSCREEN SUMMIT SHOWDOWN
The Realscreen Summit Showdown is the international pitch competition of the Realscreen Summit — the world's largest gathering for unscripted and non-fiction entertainment professionals, held annually in Miami. Producers worldwide submit documentary/unscripted series concepts and compete for a USD 20,000 development deal with a major US broadcaster. In recent years, winning networks included Food Network, NBC, and A+E Networks. In 2026, NATPE Global co-located with Realscreen, adding a scripted pitch strand. Over 1,800 delegates from 50+ countries attended the 2026 edition.
MIPCOM / MIP MARKETS
MIPCOM is the world's largest international television and content market, held every October in Cannes. 12,000 delegates from 100+ countries. It is where Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, Canal+, ARTE, and hundreds more come to buy content. There is no open competitive pitch — it is a trade market. The most important entry point for African filmmakers is the MIP SDG Awards — a free-to-enter competition recognising content addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. African stories on climate resilience, health, education, gender equality, and justice are uniquely positioned to win. South African ETV, Nollywood producers, and Kenyan production companies have all had presence at MIPCOM. The NFVF (South Africa) and other African national film commissions organise delegation support and shared stand space.
CANNESERIES FESTIVAL
CanneSeries is the international TV series festival held in Cannes each April, running simultaneously with MIPTV — the international TV market with thousands of global buyers from 100+ countries. Founded in 2018, it has quickly established itself as the leading festival for TV series within the established Cannes ecosystem. Unlike Series Mania Forum (which pitches development-stage projects), CanneSeries screens completed or near-completed first seasons or miniseries. Being selected means your series screens in front of the world's largest TV market during the same week. African series creators can submit directly.
TIFF: THE MARKET 🟢 OPEN NOW
TIFF: The Market is a brand-new global content market launching for the first time in September 2026 alongside the Toronto International Film Festival. Backed by a CAD 23 million (USD 17 million) Canadian government investment, it is designed to compete directly with MIPCOM and AFM as a global marketplace for films, series, and innovative content. Moses Babatope, CEO of Nigeria's Nile Media Entertainment Group, sits on the advisory committee and has stated: 'We are building bridges between Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Joburg and the world. TIFF's intentionality matters because it means our creators won't have to shrink to fit old molds.' This is the first major new global market in decades and Africa is being built in from the start.
DURBAN FILMMART PITCH AND FINANCE FORUM
The Durban FilmMart (DFM) is Africa's most important film and television co-production market, established in 2010 by the Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI). Named by UNESCO in its 2021 Film Trends in Africa Report as the continent's best film market. In 2025, 39 cash grants and awards worth over R2.6 million (approximately USD 140,000) were distributed to pitching projects across 31 partners. International co-producers, broadcasters, and global film funds attend specifically to find African projects — making this the single highest-probability opportunity in this guide for African writers. Travel and accommodation to Durban are fully covered for selected participants.
BERLINALE CO-PRO SERIES MARKET
The Berlinale Co-Pro Series Market is the drama series arm of the Berlin International Film Festival's Co-Production Market — one of the world's most prestigious film markets. The Co-Production Market was established over 20 years ago; the 2026 edition was its 23rd. Each year, 10 international drama series projects in development are selected and presented to over 600 producers, financiers, distributors, broadcasters, and sales agents. It is focused purely on co-production and financing partnerships — no prize, but one meeting here can unlock millions in European co-production financing. A unique advantage: NO confirmed financing is required to apply — this is rare and makes it highly accessible for African projects in early development.
SERIENCAMP CONFERENCE — CO-PRODUCTION PITCH
Seriencamp Conference is a three-day industry event held every June in Cologne — the heart of German public broadcasting, home to WDR, RTL, and ZDF's largest production hub. Running for 12 years, it has relocated from Munich to Cologne where it is funded by the State of North Rhine- Westphalia and Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, with ZDF Studios as main industry partner. An independent jury selects 8 projects to pitch live on stage to producers, distributors, and broadcasters. Up to 20 additional projects are listed in the Digital Story Exchange — a curated digital platform sent exclusively to all accredited industry professionals before the event. The winning project receives the Seriencamp Co-Pro Award: EUR 10,000 (EUR 5,000 cash + EUR 5,000 in production services). IMPORTANTLY: Seriencamp also runs a Writers' Vision Pitch — a separate, more accessible track for writer-creators who do not yet have a production company attached.
SERIES MANIA FORUM — CO-PRO PITCHING SESSIONS
Series Mania is France's top television series festival, founded in 2010 by Laurence Herszberg, held every March in Lille. Its Co-Pro Pitching Sessions are among the most prestigious series pitching competitions in the world — 15 projects are chosen from around 400 submissions from 65+ countries and pitched live to an international jury of broadcasters and distributors including ZDF, ARTE, SVT, and Movistar+. The winner receives EUR 50,000 for further development. In 2026, South African production company Ochre Moving Pictures was selected with Twisted Vines (a wine-route crime thriller set in South Africa) — proving African projects are competitive. Previous winners include French-Japanese series Tokyo Crush (2025).
HOT DOCS–BLUE ICE DOCS FUND (HDBID)
The Hot Docs–Blue Ice Docs Fund is a grant programme run jointly by Hot Docs (the world's largest documentary festival, held in Toronto each spring) and Blue Ice Group (a Canadian film investment company). Founded in 2011 specifically in response to a recognised gap — many documentaries were made ABOUT Africa, but very few by Africans — it gives money directly to African storytellers with no Canadian partner required. Blue Ice Group founders stated: 'The goal is to enable more Africans to tell their own stories.' Over 15 years, the fund has invested more than $3.35 million CAD in 78+ projects from 24 African countries. Selected projects may also be invited into a year-long mentorship with private labs at Hot Docs and the Durban FilmMart.
TORINOFILMLAB CO-PRODUCTION FUND
The TorinoFilmLab (TFL) is a talent development and co-production initiative run by the Museum of Cinema in Turin, Italy, established in 2008 with support from Creative Europe. Its Co-Production Fund offers EUR 50,000 non-recoupable (no repayment required from profits) production grants to fiction films, creative documentaries, and animation projects that are international co-productions between a European producer and a non-European producer — explicitly including African producers. TorinoFilmLab is also the Italian partner of the Red Sea Feature Films Program (entry 03 in this guide); TFL and Red Sea Labs share tutors, methodology, and networks, making TFL a natural next step for African filmmakers who have already participated in the Red Sea programme.
IDFA BERTHA FUND (IBF)
The IDFA Bertha Fund is run by IDFA — the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, the world's largest documentary festival. It is the only fund in the world dedicated solely to stimulating documentary filmmaking in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania. Funded by the Bertha Foundation (UK-based philanthropic organisation), it was established in 1996 and has been one of the most important documentary funding mechanisms for African filmmakers for nearly 30 years. IBF-backed films have been shortlisted for the Oscars and BAFTA and have premiered at Cannes, IDFA, Berlin, and major festivals worldwide. African filmmakers apply directly — no European partner required for the Classic grant.
HUBERT BALS FUND (HBF)
The Hubert Bals Fund is the grant programme of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) — one of the world's most prestigious festivals. Named after IFFR founder Hubert Bals (who died in 1988), it was established in his honour to support innovative cinema from regions where film industries are underfunded. With an annual budget of approximately EUR 1.2 million, it operates two grant rounds per year and has supported hundreds of African films across its 37-year history. African filmmakers apply directly — no Dutch partner required for the initial development grant.
BERLINALE WORLD CINEMA FUND (WCF) 🟢 OPEN NOW
The World Cinema Fund (WCF) is a grant programme run by the Berlin International Film Festival in partnership with the German Federal Cultural Foundation (Kulturstiftung des Bundes), founded in November 2004. It has funded over 350 productions from 67 countries. In 2016, a special sub- programme — WCF Africa — was created in partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office, giving sub-Saharan African projects additional consideration. The WCF is now led by Sata Cissokho (appointed 2025, of Senegalese descent), who has stated a key priority of growing African representation in the fund. African production companies can apply DIRECTLY — no European partner required for the initial application.
CANNES RESIDENCE DU FESTIVAL
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN FILM & SERIES MAKERS | 2025/2026 EDITION | Updated March 2026 Compiled March 2026 directed by Cati Weinek with Fab Claude.. Always verify deadlines and eligibility on official programme websites before applying. The Residence du Festival de Cannes is one of the most exclusive screenwriting residencies in the world. Selected filmmakers spend 4.5 months living in a fully funded apartment in Paris, developing their feature screenplay with access to the Paris film industry. The residency culminates at the Cannes Film Festival. Established in 1998 under the Cinefondation initiative created by Gilles Jacob, it is now run by Cinema de Demain. Only 6 filmmakers are selected per session. Crucially, French citizens and residents are NOT eligible — it is specifically designed for international talent from around the world, making it ideal for African filmmakers. Two sessions per year: March–July and October–February.
FILM INDEPENDENT SCREENWRITING LAB 🟢 OPEN NOW
Film Independent is a non-profit organisation in Los Angeles supporting independent filmmakers worldwide, known also for producing the Spirit Awards — the leading awards for American independent cinema. Its Screenwriting Lab is a full-time, two-week residential programme held each spring in Los Angeles, selecting 6 feature-length screenplays for intensive one-on-one development with established Creative Advisors. Over 30 years of artist development. International applicants can submit scripts in English or with an English translation. Film Independent does NOT take ownership of your script.
BERLINALE TALENTS
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN FILM & SERIES MAKERS | 2025/2026 EDITION | Updated March 2026 Compiled March 2026 directed by Cati Weinek with Fab Claude.. Always verify deadlines and eligibility on official programme websites before applying. Berlinale Talents is the talent development programme of the Berlin International Film Festival — one of the three most prestigious film festivals in the world. Every year, exactly 200 emerging film professionals from across the globe are selected for a 6-day intensive programme of talks, workshops, project development labs, and networking during the Berlinale in February. Founded in 2003 by Berlinale Director Dieter Kosslick (originally called Berlinale Talent Campus), it now has over 10,000 alumni from 120+ countries. In 2026, 200 participants were selected from 3,438 applications worldwide. African selections in 2026 included: South African director/screenwriter Ryan Kruger, Nigerian director/screenwriter Dika Ofoma, Kenya-based Sudanese filmmaker Ibrahim Snoopy (also a Sundance alumnus), Kenyan editor/screenwriter Charity Kuria, plus filmmakers from Egypt and Ghana.
SUNDANCE EPISODIC LAB
The Sundance Episodic Lab is the world's leading script development programme specifically for television and streaming series writers. Run by the Sundance Institute, it selects up to 10 pilot scripts (the first episode of a TV or streaming series) for virtual workshops followed by a 6-day in-person lab held each spring in Atlanta, Georgia. Launched to expand Sundance's support from feature films into the world of series storytelling, it has grown rapidly as Netflix, HBO, and Amazon have become the dominant form of global entertainment distribution. Explicitly open to international series writers at all levels.
SUNDANCE SCREENWRITERS LAB
The Sundance Screenwriters Lab is widely regarded as the most prestigious screenplay development lab in the world. Run by the Sundance Institute (founded 1981 by Robert Redford), it is a 5-day residential lab held each January at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, USA. Selected writers work one-on-one with world-class Creative Advisors — established directors and screenwriters. The 2026 Lab advisors included Barry Jenkins, Lulu Wang, and Tarell Alvin McCraney. International filmmakers are welcome and have been selected every year. Films developed here include Reservoir Dogs, Moonlight, Aftersun, The Witch, Fruitvale Station, and Ryan Coogler's Sinners (2025). All travel, accommodation and food are fully covered for selected participants.
RED SEA FEATURE FILMS PROGRAM
The Red Sea Feature Films Program (formerly called The Lodge) is a 10-month intensive creative and professional training programme run by Red Sea Labs, a division of the Red Sea Film Foundation in Saudi Arabia. Run in partnership with TorinoFilmLab (Italy), it takes selected filmmaker teams from early concept all the way through to a market-ready film pitch. Founded in 2020, it entered its 7th edition in 2025. Since 2023, African filmmakers are explicitly included. The programme culminates at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah with a pitch to distributors, financiers, and producers — with a prize pool of up to USD 200,000.
LOCARNO OPEN DOORS
Open Doors is a professional programme run by Locarno Film Festival — one of the world's oldest and most prestigious festivals, established in 1946. The Open Doors programme was launched in 2003 in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It operates in three-year regional cycles; from 2025 to 2027 the current cycle focuses exclusively on 42 countries in Sub- Saharan Africa. Selected participants have ALL travel and accommodation covered for both the online phase and the in-person programme in Switzerland.
TALENTS DURBAN
Talents Durban is Africa's leading talent development programme for emerging filmmakers, run by the Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI). It is the official African partner of Berlinale Talents — the Berlin International Film Festival's world-renowned talent development initiative. Founded in 2007, now in its 19th edition (2026), it was run jointly with Durban International Film Festival until 2019, when DFMI took full ownership. Designed specifically for African and Caribbean talent, it bridges African storytelling with global industry networks.