15 independent producers from Africa selected for Creative Producer Indaba

The 4th edition of the Creative Producer Indaba (CPI) has selected and announced its 15 participants from Africa (Image supplied)

The CPI is a prestigious industry programme designed to advance the work of independent producers from Africa along with international producers, as it continues to foster collaboration and innovation in film production on the continent.

The CPI is hosted by Cape Town-based Realness Institute in collaboration with EAVE, IFFR Pro, and Atlas Workshops. With Projeto Paradiso and Spcine, the programme includes a Brazilian producer interested in African projects.

Additionally, support from the Austrian Film Institute, Canada Media Fund, Telefilm, Focal, Jeune Création Francophone, the Mayotte Film Office and Région Réunion enables the participation of Austrian, Canadian, Swiss, and Francophone producers with similar interests.

Two workshops

This year’s programme features two workshops.

The first workshop includes an online session this month, followed by in-person sessions at the Festival International du Film de Marrakech, Morocco, in December.

The second workshop will take place at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), the Netherlands, in January/February 2025, with final online sessions in April 2025.

The CPI programme has been designed by Elias Ribeiro, executive director of Realness, bringing together an inspiring mix of professionals, united by their commitment to creating compelling, diverse, and globally relevant African stories.

The cohort will be guided by group leaders and creative producers Mehret Mandefro and Diana Elbaum, and story consultant and creative producer 2022 alumnus Tracey Lee Rainers.

Some experts mentoring and working with the participants are Sata Cissokho, Constanza Arena, Isioma Idigbe, and Juliane Schulze.

Next landmark venture

Producers looking for their next landmark venture, using this opportunity to network, collaborate, and explore potential projects to engage with, are:

• Layla Swart (South Africa) is a leading producer and editor in Africa, whose company Yellowbone Entertainment has been behind award-winning films such as Sew the Winter to my Skin and Knuckle City.
• Salamina Mosese (South Africa) is a media professional who has produced successful feature films, including Baby Mamas and Love, Sex & 30 Candles.

• Vanessa Sinden (South Africa) is a senior producer at Triggerfish Animation, who has produced Africa’s top animated films, working with platforms like Disney+ and Netflix.
• Kamy Lara (Angola) has produced films that provoke thoughtful reflection, having recently completed her documentary Fuckin' Globo.
• Moimi Wezam, (DRC) the founder of Zero Attitude Flix, has produced numerous successful short films and achieved significant recognition in the film industry. His documentary Zero has been broadcast on Amazon Prime Video and has been selected for several film festivals worldwide.

Projects in development

African producers with projects in development will be actively seeking international collaborators and financial backing to bring their visionary creations to life are:

• Dhia Jerbi (Tunesia) is a creative documentary filmmaker and producer who is committed to building partnerships between the Mediterranean’s two shores. His work has been screened across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• Ephraim Gordon (South Africa) is an accomplished producer with notable projects, including Barakat, South Africa's official submission to the 94th Academy Awards. His work spans across film, TV, and theatre.
• Juliana Kabua (Kenya) is a producer of several short films featured at international festivals, including Stero (2024), which premiered at IFFR. She is known for her commitment to authentic African storytelling.
• Mohammed Alomda (Sudan) is a key figure in Sudan's new wave cinema, whose work includes co-producing You Will Die at Twenty, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. He produces films across Sudan, East Africa, and the Arab world.
• Miral Ezzat El Fakharany (Egypt) is a producer with over 18 years of experience across the MENA, GCC, and US regions. She has a background in feature films, TV series, and commercials.

International producers

International producers who will be looking to invest and engage with African film projects include:

• Dieynaba SY (La Réunion), is a producer with a background in African languages and audiovisual production who founded the Lanbéli Production Company.
• Julia Alves de Oliveira (Brazil) is a producer with a focus on arthouse films and international co-productions, whose recent works have earned acclaim at festivals such as Cannes. She specialises in international collaborations, with a special interest in African projects.
• Kathryn Fasegha (Canada) is an award-winning filmmaker from Calgary. Her first film, Treacherous Heart premiered in 2012 and won the award of Best Drama in Diaspora at the Nollywood and African Film Critics' Awards. Her second film, 2 Weeks in Lagos premiered in 2019 at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an AMAA award in 2020. Kathryn is a Theatre Arts graduate and is the current president of Black Actors and Film Guild Canada, Alberta chapter.
• Maéva Ranaivojaona (Canada)works as a screenwriter, director, and producer at Subobscura Films, a company focused on themes of colonisation, post-colonialism, and projects that challenge cinematic language. Subobscura Films produces documentaries, fiction, and art films that highlight marginalised perspectives.
• Niza Lou Waldburger(Switzerland) is managing director and producer at Vega Film, one of Switzerland’s most renowned production companies, which specialises in producing and distributing films across Europe. She works between Zurich and the French Caribbean, bringing a global perspective to her projects.