Introduction

The Realness Institute is proud to present the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, which will take place from September 3 to 10 in collaboration with the Locarno Film Festival, FAME Week Africa and with the support of The Story Board Collective.

This will be the first onsite edition of the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, dedicated to developing young film professionals working in sales, traditional and online distribution, theatrical exhibition, and programming for festivals, film clubs, and archives.

Nine film professionals will have the opportunity to participate in a focused programme of networking meetings with international professionals, masterclasses, workshops, and panel discussions at FAME Week Africa. As part of the experience, participants will actively curate a short film programme to be screened at The Labia Cinema in Cape Town from September 7 to 9. Selected participants must be available for one day per week between June and August, to screen shorts and curate a programme for FAME Week Africa. Participants will be credited for their contribution to the shorts programme. The programming will be led by a mentor appointed by the Realness Institute.

“We’re thrilled to see the Southern Africa Locarno Industry Academy getting ready for its first onsite edition during FAME Week. The Southern Africa Locarno Industry Academy will continue to boost young and emerging professionals into the local and international film industry network.”
— Markus Duffner, Head of Locarno Pro & Marion Klotz, Industry Academy Project Manager
“I had the pleasure of keynoting the inaugural FAME Week last year and immediately recognized the powerful market it presents for African creators. This is the forum we have all been waiting for on the continent and having a formal partnership with the Realness Institute provides the talent we work with an effective on-ramp to secure deals in the global entertainment business. ”
— Mehret Mandefro, Director of Development & Partnerships
“FAME Week Africa is pleased to partner with the Realness Institute. Through this collaboration, we aim to ignite African storytelling flare by supporting programmes and providing platforms for the Realness Institute to increase the diversity of voices in the film industry. This will lead to more interesting, varied, and nuanced stories. It will also give African filmmakers a chance of securing funding, distribution deals, and other resources that can help them bring their stories to life.”
— Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa

Eligibility

  • Applicants must have an African passport

  • Applicants must be actively working in at least one of these fields: film sales, distribution, programming and/or exhibition

Funding

Participants will have to cover the cost of return flight to Cape Town, visa cost for entry to South Africa, travel insurance, lunches and dinners in Cape Town. Realness Institute will issue a letter of support to successful applicants for funding and visa applications.

The programme will cover bed and breakfast (accommodation in shared twin rooms) in Cape Town, accreditation to FAME Week Africa and all mentorship fees.

Apply

Please Note: The application process for this programme has ended, and we are no longer accepting any new submissions.

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Programme Partners

We are grateful for our partnership with the Locarno Film Festival, The Storyboard Collective and FAME Week Africa.