Open Doors Connect: Empowering Filmmakers from Regions at Risk through Collaboration and Talent Development
The Locarno Film Festival's Open Doors program has introduced the participants and partners for its new Open Doors Connect initiative. This program is designed to support filmmakers from regions where artistic expression is at risk and promote collaboration and talent development. The focus of the second edition of Open Doors is on African cinema, offering professionals from countries outside the traditional geographic focus an opportunity to engage with the African continent and build new relationships.
The participants of the program will undergo a two-month hybrid program, combining online and on-site activities during the Locarno Film Festival. They will be mentored by industry experts and have access to industry matchmaking opportunities. The goal of Open Doors Connect is to facilitate professional development and create opportunities for South-South collaborations among participants from Benin, Madagascar, Brazil, and Mongolia.
Four partners have joined the program as sponsors, each supporting one participant. Candy Radifera from Madagascar, Frédy Agblo from Benin, Talita Arruda from Brazil, and Nomintuya Baasankhuu from Mongolia are the participants of the program. They will receive support from organizations such as the Wyss Academy for Nature, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Projeto Paradiso, and Film Nomad Lab.
The Open Doors Connect program aims to foster collaboration and innovation in the film industry, providing a platform for filmmakers to develop their skills and create new opportunities for global partnerships. With the support of the partners and mentors, the participants will have the chance to expand their networks and contribute to the growth of African cinema and beyond.