African Filmmakers Shine at Locarno’s Open Doors Awards

The Locarno Film Festival’s 23rd Open Doors program has announced its winners, highlighting emerging filmmakers from Africa. The initiative, organized by Locarno Pro, supports artists from regions where creative freedom faces challenges. After three years focused on Latin America and the Caribbean, the program this year offered training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for African talent.

The top honor, the Open Doors Grant of CHF 25,000 ($30,834), went to Black Snake, directed by Naishe Nyamubaya and produced by Sue-Ellen Chitunya (Zimbabwe). The jury praised its sensitive and culturally rich portrayal of identity, secrecy, and spiritual legacy. CHF 20,000 ($24,668) was awarded to Kachifo (Till the Morning Comes) by Nigerian filmmaker Dika Ofoma, a love story spanning lifetimes and challenging cultural and religious taboos. The CHF 5,000 ($6,167) prize went to Diary of a Goat Woman, by Azata Soro, for its personal and political exploration of resistance in a patriarchal society.

Other awards included the CNC Development Grant (€8,000) to Les Bilokos, directed by Erickey Bahati (DR Congo/France), and the ARTEKino International Award (€6,000) to Kachifo. The Sørfond Award, offering a pitching opportunity in November, also went to Kachifo.

In the producers’ category, Yannick Mizero Kabano (Rwanda) received multiple recognitions, including the Tabakalera-San Sebastian Film Festival Residency Award and the Open Doors – OIF – ACP – EU Award. The MECAS Award was given to June Wairegi (Kenya), while Kamy Lara (Angola) won both the Rotterdam Lab Award and the World Cinema Fund Audience Strategy Award for her creative vision and cultural engagement.

By honoring diverse voices and bold stories, Locarno’s Open Doors continues to be a vital platform for fostering global cinema, this year amplifying African perspectives that are rarely seen on screen.