Locarno Open Doors 2025: Full Line-Up
Open Doors, the co-production and talent development programme of Locarno Film Festival (August 6-16, 2025), has selected six projects and six producers for the first edition of its Africa Focus.
The programme provides comprehensive training, mentoring and networking opportunities, alongside public screenings and events during Locarno Pro (August 7-12, 2025). It will be focusing on Africa for four upcoming editions, following a three-year cycle dedicated to Latin America and the Caribbean.
On August 12, a panel of professional jury members will grant financial and in-kind awards to the selected winning projects. Awards include the Open Doors Grant of CHF50,000; the CNC Development Prize worth EUR8,000; and the Arte Kino International Prize of EUR 6,000.
The six selected producers will participate in a training workshop focused on career development for creative producers. In addition, the directors of the short films selected for Open Doors Screenings as part of the festival’s official selection will gather in Open Doors Directors, giving them access to a range of talks, workshops and networking opportunities.
Open Doors head Zsuzsi Bánkuti said: “As we enter a new cycle focused on the African continent, Open Doors reaffirms its commitment to supporting filmmakers working in contexts where artistic freedom is often challenged. We are excited to welcome a strong slate of predominantly first and second-time filmmakers whose inventive approaches and formal experimentation signal a bold evolution in global cinematic storytelling.”
OPEN DOORS PROJECTS [AFRICA FOCUS] 2025:
Les Bilokos (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Director: Erickey Bahati
Producer: Giresse Kassonga
Prod co: Gikas Films
Black Snake (Zimbabwe)
Director: Naishe Nyamubaya
Producer: Sue-Ellen Chitunya,
Prod co: 263 Reels Productions
Diary Of A Goat Woman (Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso)
Director: Azata Soro
Producer: Nameïta Lica Toure
Prod co: Les Studios Indigo
Fighters (Senegal, France)
Director: Alassane Sy
Producer: Jules Dieng
Prod co: Thiely Films
The Fortunate (Ethiopia)
Director: Habtamu Gebrehiwot
Producer: Nahusenay Dereje,
Prod co: MTF Multimedia
Till The Morning Comes (Kachifo) (Nigeria)
Director: Dika Ofoma
Producer: Blessing Uzzi
Prod co: Bluhouse Studios
OPEN DOORS PRODUCERS [AFRICA FOCUS] 2025:
Yannick Mizero Kabano
Imitana Productions (Rwanda)
Kamy Lara
Uika Filmes (Angola)
Kudi Maradzika
Lincoln Green Media (Zimbabwe)
Moustapha Sawadogo
Future Films (Burkina Faso)
Leul Shoaferaw
WAG Entertainment (Ethiopia)
June Wairegi
Giza Visuals (Kenya)
