At this week’s Locarno Film Festival, Dika Ofama’s “Kachifo (Till the Morning Comes),” Naishe Nyamubaya’s “Black Snake,” and Azata Soro’s “Diary of a Goat Woman” emerged as standout winners during the lively Open Doors forum. These films collectively received the Open Doors Grant, the festival’s top cash prize.
This year’s Open Doors program highlighted the exciting potential of a new wave of directors and producers, who are reshaping African cinema and exploring innovative industry frameworks. They focus on pan-regional co-productions in French-speaking Africa, creating genre films, and reaching audiences beyond Europe, particularly in Arab and Indian markets.
Open Doors is dedicated to addressing the challenges of film development, a critical issue in international filmmaking, making its funding particularly invaluable.
Additionally, notable sponsor awards were presented to Rwanda’s Yannick Mizero Kabano, Kenya’s June Wairegi, Erickey Bahati’s “The Bilokos,” and Angola’s Kamy Lara.
Announced on Tuesday, these awards celebrate the achievements of a new generation of audacious creators redefining storytelling in cinema, as observed by Open Doors Head Zsuzai Bankuti.
Many of the winning films, like “Kachifo” and “Black Snake,” incorporate African traditions and stories to tackle themes of prejudice and identity. The honoured filmmakers are striving to ensure their works are recognised globally and are committed to making an impact in their own countries.
Importantly, three of the four awarded projects were produced by women, showcasing women’s significant role in advancing African cinema. They are at the forefront of a movement aiming to gain greater control over their creative output while enhancing the entertainment value of their films.
Kachifo (Till the Morning Comes) – Nigeria
Directed by Dika Ofama and produced by Blessing Uzzi at Blu House Studios, this film secured a CHF 20,000 ($24,720) Open Doors Grant and the ArteKino International Award and Sørfond Award. The narrative intertwines a post-modern structure with ancient beliefs, portraying the story of warrior chief Obidike and young maiden Ekemma, whose love transcends time and societal norms, reincarnating them as two men in modern-day Nigeria.
Black Snake – Zimbabwe
Directed by Naishe Nyamubaya and produced by Sue-Ellen Chitunya at 263 Reels Production, this film won a significant Open Doors Grant. It employs elements of magical realism to unfold a powerful social commentary as Janet and her family conceal their identities while encountering a mysterious tree in a secluded village. Nyamubaya, a former participant in the Cannes Atelier, demonstrates exceptional storytelling in this project, which has also received the 2023 Red Sea Lodge Jury Prize.
Diary of a Goat Woman – Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso
Directed by Azata Soro and produced by Nameïta Touré at Les Studios Indigo, this film rapidly emerges as a strong pan-African co-production with a French partner. Combining documentary with animation, it follows a woman’s poignant journey back to Burkina Faso to baptise her daughter, exploring themes of silence, tradition, and trauma.
The Bilokos – Democratic Republic of Congo, France
Directed by Erickey Bahati and produced by Giresse Kassonga at Gikas Films, this project was awarded a development grant from the French film and television agency CNC. Set in the Katindo military camp for ex-combatants and their families, it tells the heartfelt story of Assumani, a former soldier who seeks to rebuild his life by teaching youth to recycle worn-out currency.
Yannick Mizero Kabano – Rwanda
A recipient of both the Tabakalera-San Sebastian Film Festival Residency Award and the Open Doors-OIF-ACP-E.U. Award, Kabano represents a shift in recognition, illustrating that producers, like him, play a crucial role alongside directors in the evolution of contemporary cinema in Africa.
These awards at the Locarno Film Festival highlight significant achievements in African cinema and emphasise the importance of supporting diverse voices in storytelling.
