Open Doors, the co-production and talent development program for artists from underrepresented communities around the world that is part of the Locarno Pro industry component of the Locarno Film Festival, announced its 2024 winners on Tuesday.
Eight projects in development were selected for its co-production platform, the Projects Hub, and were eligible for the three main cash prizes. In addition, nine producers participated in the program’s talent incubator, the Producers Lab, while the directors of the Open Doors Screenings films, who form the Directors Club, made up the rest of this year’s program.
The initiative’s largest award for the Projects Hub, the Open Doors grant, was distributed among four projects: Hi by Ernesto Bautista, and The only time by Paz Encina, both of whom received larger grants, as well as Its lightness by Rosa Maria Rodriguez, and portrait of Huaco by Fernando Luis Mendoza Salazar. Encina in Paraguay is known for the 2022 documentary Eami about the indigenous community of Paraguay whose homeland is invaded by settlers, while the other winners are first-time feature-length fiction filmmakers.
The Projects Hub jury was composed of Films From the South programming manager Lasse Skagen, ARTEKino Foundation president and ARTE France Cinéma deputy general director Rémi Burah, Sophie Loyrette, CNC co-production and international cooperation project manager, Trigon-film co-director Meret Ruggle, and Visions Sud Est project manager Madeline Robert.
The awards ceremony on Tuesday marked the end of a three-year programme focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean. Patricia Danzi, director general of Open Doors’ main partner, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the Federal Foreign Office (FDFA), also announced that the African continent would be at the heart of the programme for the next four editions.
“Arts and culture are drivers of social change and creativity and contribute to social cohesion and peace,” she said. “They are therefore indispensable for the progress of society.”
Zsuzsi Bánkuti, Director of Open Doors, added: “After three successful years focused on Latin America and the Caribbean, we are delighted to announce that our focus will now shift to the African continent for the next four years. This transition is not only about changing our focus, but also about expanding our work. We plan to foster strong collaborations between Latin America, the Caribbean and the African continent, ensuring that the connections of previous years continue while creating new ones.” She added: “Our goal is to create a connected and thriving network that benefits all regions.”
Check out the full list of Open Doors 2024 winners below.
Open House Scholarship
A total amount of CHF 50,000 ($57,710), sponsored by Visions Sud Est (with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation), the City of Bellinzona and the Open…
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