Empowering African Cinema: A Look at the Open Doors Producers Program at Locarno Film Festival 2026
The Locarno Film Festival's Open Doors program is gearing up for its 2026 edition, focusing on African cinema. The Open Doors Producers program supports six producers from various African countries, including Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Cabo Verde, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Sudan. These producers are part of a talent development initiative that aims to build sustainable careers and cross-border networks in the film industry.
Yanis Gaye, a French-Senegalese creative producer, is the head of studies at Open Doors and emphasizes the resilience and innovative models of African producers. The program offers hands-on training, mentoring, and networking opportunities during the Locarno Film Festival. Participants like Adja Mariam Mahre Soro, Tapiwa Chipfupa, and Natasha Craveiro are excited to showcase their projects and collaborate with potential partners at the event.
Soro is bringing a young adult animated series to Locarno, while Craveiro has two hybrid feature projects focusing on environmental protection and post-colonial Cape Verde. Chipfupa is presenting a supernatural thriller set in a village and is also working on initiatives to support the local film industry in Zimbabwe. The producers are looking for financing, co-producers, and partners to help develop their projects and contribute to the growth of the African film sector.
In addition to their film projects, the producers are involved in various initiatives to build a healthy ecosystem for filmmaking in their respective countries. Soro is collaborating with the Ivorian government on an animation school pilot, while Craveiro is working on educational programs and festivals in Cabo Verde. Chipfupa is focused on supporting young women and girl creatives in the film and art sector, highlighting the diverse efforts to strengthen the film industry across Africa. The Open Doors experience in Locarno offers a platform for these producers to showcase their work, network with industry professionals, and explore opportunities for collaboration and growth.