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.
Deadline
2026 cycle: CLOSED (deadline was 15 January 2026). NEXT CYCLE opens approximately October/November 2026.
Cost
FREE — No application fee
Format
Primarily feature films. Open Doors also accepts short films and other formats from filmmakers in eligible countries.
Eligibility
Citizens of one of 42 eligible African countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
What You Get
Three tracks: (1) Open Doors Projects — 6 feature film director-producer teams selected annually, fully funded travel and accommodation for online preparation (June-July 2026) and onsite programme (5-12 August 2026, Locarno); (2) Open Doors Producers — training workshop for producers; (3) Open Doors Directors — for directors at any stage. Co-production meetings, script development support, and connections with European and international partners.
What to Submit
Online application form in English with project documentation. Submission is completely free.
Insider Tips
The 2025–2027 cycle is Africa-focused — this is the single best moment in years for African filmmakers at Locarno. Angolan filmmaker Fradique (Air Conditioner, available on MUBI) is among African- connected filmmakers who have engaged with Open Doors networks. Prepare your submission now so you can submit the moment the next call opens.
Set a reminder for October/November 2026 to apply the moment the new call opens. 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.
Applications are closed
This opportunity is no longer accepting applications. Browse open opportunities
Related Opportunities
Never miss a deadline like this
Weekly deadline alerts, new opportunities, and industry insights for African filmmakers.