The Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab has unveiled its 2026 selection of participants, marking a significant step in fostering cinematic talent across Africa. This year's cohort comprises 13 producers actively developing fiction and documentary features, alongside two observing producers, all poised to contribute to the continent's vibrant film industry. The initiative underscores a commitment to nurturing filmmakers who can tell authentic local stories with global appeal.
The program is set to empower these producers by enhancing their creative, leadership, and practical capabilities. Through a series of workshops, individualized mentorship, and peer collaboration sessions, participants will gain invaluable insights into film development, financing, and delivery. The ultimate goal is to equip them with the tools necessary to produce films that not only resonate with international audiences but also remain deeply connected to the unique voices and narratives of their local communities.
Empowering African Filmmakers Through Creative Collaboration
The Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab has announced its 2026 cohort, bringing together 15 film producers from seven different African nations. This includes 13 producers with active film projects (both fiction and documentary) and two observing producers focused on career growth. The week-long program, hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 26-30, is designed to cultivate a new generation of African filmmakers by providing them with essential skills and fostering a collaborative environment. The lab emphasizes developing projects that are culturally authentic yet possess international market potential.
Participants from Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Rwanda will engage in a comprehensive curriculum. This includes intensive workshops, personalized one-on-one mentoring, and dynamic peer-to-peer sessions. The core focus is on strengthening creative vision, leadership acumen, and the practical aspects of film production. Organizers aim to empower these producers to develop, finance, and successfully deliver films that are both globally competitive and deeply rooted in local narratives, thereby contributing to the growth and diversity of the African film industry. The inclusion of observing producers this year highlights a broader vision for long-term career development and industry engagement.
Meet the Mentors and Visionaries Driving African Cinema
The Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab features a distinguished team of mentors dedicated to guiding the emerging talent. Themba Bhebhe, a veteran in diversity and inclusion from the Berlinale's European Film Market and international sales, brings extensive global experience. Tiny Mungwe, a South African producer and programmer renowned for the pan-African anthology Generation Africa and her involvement with Locarno Open Doors, offers invaluable insights into creative and market strategies. Namibian writer, director, and producer Perivi Katjavivi, whose film Under the Hanging Tree gained international acclaim and was Namibia’s first Oscar submission, provides a strong artistic and independent filmmaking perspective. Neigeme Glasgow-Maeda, the first Trinidadian producer to have a film selected at Cannes and founder of NGM Productions, contributes her expertise in international co-production and independent film financing.
Juliana Kabua, one of the founders of the Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab, articulates the program's ambitious vision: to harness the ambition, talent, and stories inherent in African filmmakers. She emphasizes the importance of cross-border collaboration as a cornerstone for building a robust and sustainable film industry. Kabua believes the lab acts as a crucial catalyst, fostering an environment where producers can collectively reimagine production methodologies and leverage shared resources across the continent. The 2026 cohort's innovative approach to working together exemplifies this spirit, aiming to create a stronger, more interconnected African cinematic landscape. The introduction of observing producers this year further demonstrates the lab's commitment to holistic career development within the industry.
