Nigerian projects and Zimbabweans among the winners

The main price of the Open Doors initiative at the this year’s film Locarno Film Festival was shared by three projects: Black snakeLed by the Naomanga and Pierce du Lord (United Kingdom); On the arkDirected by Dika Ofoma; And Diary of a goat womanDirected by Azata Soro (Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso).

The price is traditionally a CHF 50,000 subsidy sponsored by Visions Sud Est and the city of Bellinzona. Black snake Received CHF 25,000, On the ark landed CHF 20,000, and Diary of a goat woman received 5,000 CHF.

On the ark Also won the International Prize for Artekino, worth € 6,000 and the Sørfond Prize, which includes an invitation to participate in the Sørfond pension event in November. The Bilokos (The Bilokos), Directed by Erickey Bahati (Dr Congo, France), won the CNC development grant of € 8,000.

The four prizes above were selected by the Jury of Open Doors projects. The jury was made up of Madeline Robert (director, southern visions), John Canciani (artistic director, international Kurzfilmlage Winterthur), Lucie Garnier (CNC Center National Cinema and the Animee image, Deal-ACP Manager), Julie Savary (Arte France, project manager) and Ana-Mari Production).

Scroll down for the full list of winners.

Winner of open doors 2025

Open Doors Grant

A total of 50,000 CHF sponsored by Visions Sud Est (with the support of the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency), the city of Bellinzona and the Open Doors initiative.

CHF 25,000 at Black snakeDirected by Lord Sungem, produced by the Sue -llen figure (Zimbabwe)

Jury declaration: “A captivating story that explores identity, secret and spiritual heritage through a sensitive and powerful creative vision. Anchored in landscapes and a cultural world rarely seen on the screen, and motivated by convincing characters, this project holds a huge promise.

CHF 20,000 to Kachifo (until morning)Directed by Dika Ofoma, produced by injury Uzzi (Nigeria)

Jury declaration: “The price goes to a film with an original narrative structure, where two layers are closely linked. Thanks to a parallel scenario, we gradually approach the revelation of a connection that will take place over time. We are delighted with the complex and difficult approach adopted, which will require additional work to fully do. We are impatient to see this film on love on the big screen.”

CHF 5,000 to Diary of a goat woman (Diary of a Goat Woman)Directed by Azata Soro, produced by Nameïta Lica Touré (Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso)

Jury declaration: “This powerful and poetic project confronts silence, tradition and trauma. During the trip of a woman who refuses submission, he gives the floor to what is often not said. The jury is proud to support a deeply personal reflection on transmission and resistance. »»

CNC development grant

€ 8,000 for development provided by CNC – National Center for Cinema and Animated Image

Bilokos (The Bilokos),, Directed by Erickey East, produced by Grese Kassonga (Dr Congo, France)

Statement: “By awarding the CNC Grant to the Documentary Project ‘Les Bilokos’, direct by Erickey Bahati, The Jury Aims to Development of A Unique Project Driven by A Strong Narrative and Human Ambition. In A context where representations of the war in the DRC Are Rare, The Film Offers Light on the Resilience of Formatants Who Are Now Rebuilding Their Lives in Goma, A City Still Scarred and shaken by war.

International Artekino Prize

€ 6,000 for the development provided by Artekino

Kachifo (until morning)Directed by Dika Ofoma, produced by injury Uzzi (Nigeria)

Statement: “Arte Kino’s international prize goes to a bold and poetic first feature film by a promising director: a plea for True Love – the subject par excellence of cinema – through time and especially borders. »»

Sørfond price

Participation in the project in the Sørfond pension event in November, including travel and accommodation.

Kachifo (until morning)Directed by Dika Ofoma, produced by injury Uzzi (Nigeria)

Statement: “‘Kachifo ‘is a poetic project, visually and narrative. This impresses us thanks to the passionate commitment of the director to tell the story of eternal love which holds lives despite the cultural and religious opposition, because homosexual relations are always taboo and largely rejected in Nigeria. »»

Tabakalera-San Sebastian Film Festival Residence Award

A residence in Tabakalera and participating in the activities of the San Sebastian Film Festival industry, given in collaboration with the Film of the Film of International Culture Tabakalera and the San Sebastian Film.

Yannick Mizero Kabano (Imitana Productions, Rwanda), producers of participating open doors

Statement: “To produce film projects anchored in their territory but with a universal vocation; to promote the creation of a national film industry through mentoring and training programs; And to offer complete cycles of film support for creation at the exhibition, the prize goes to Yannick Mizero Kabano. ”

Mecas Price

Participation in the international market of almost finished films (MECAS), with the possibility of personalized meetings and networking, including travel and accommodation costs. The next edition of Mecas will take place in Gran Canaria in April 2026.

June Waigi (Human visuals, Kenya)

Statement: “Our chosen producer develops a range of independent projects that we find courageous and inspiring. It transmits creativity, the sense of initiative and a vision that connects with us. We hope June Wategi will find in Mecas a magnificent and useful space. ”

Open house – OIF – ACP – EU price

A development grant for the value of 2,500 euros.

Yannick Mizero Kabano (Imitana Productions, Rwanda), producers of participating open doors

Statement: “The price is for a production company managed by a new dynamic and talented generation of Rwandan producers: Imitana Productions represented today in open doors by Yannick Mizero Kabano”

Rotterdam Lab Award

Supplied by the Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR). One of the producers of open -door producers can participate in the next Rotterdam laboratory, including accommodation covered by the Rotterdam International Film Festival as well as a contribution to the costs of travel by the Locarno film festival.

Kamy Lara (Uika films, Angola)

Statement: “With a career that extends over documentaries, commercial films and his own work as a director, Kamy Lara brings a rare combination of creative vision and production expertise to this new cohort. His dedication for the construction of bridges through international co -productions and defending the filmmakers next year in Rotterdam. ”

Open Doors – World Cinema Fund Poundation Strategy Award

The prize awarded by World Cinema Fund offers a specific tailor -made program intended to closely monitor the development of an audience engagement strategy.

Kamy Lara (Uika films, Angola)

Statement: “We were struck by the artistic and socio -cultural interests of Kamy Lara, and her desire to solve complex problems, in particular those linked to a flow company. Kamy Lara’s work demonstrates her ambition to transform these questions into authentic cinema. ”