Filmmaker Opportunity: Locarno and Winterthur Open ‘Final Cut: New African Shorts’ — Deadline August 17

African filmmakers with short films in the final stages of post-production have until 17 August to apply for a new industry programme connecting selected projects with Winterthur and Cannes.

Short filmmakers from across Africa have one week remaining to apply for Final Cut: New African Shorts, a new work-in-progress initiative created by Locarno Film Festival’s Open Doors and Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur.

The programme is aimed at nearly completed short films from filmmakers based across the 42 African countries covered by Open Doors’ current regional focus. Applications are free and close on 17 August 2026.

Rather than functioning as a conventional festival submission, Final Cut: New African Shorts is designed for projects that are still in post-production and could benefit from international industry exposure before completion.

Eligible projects can be in any genre or format, but the finished film must run no longer than 30 minutes. Projects should be in the final stages of post-production, must not already have premiered publicly or been selected by another festival, and should be scheduled for completion during the first half of 2027.

The director must be a citizen of one of the 42 African countries included in the Open Doors eligibility framework. Applications must be completed in English, and participants are expected to have sufficient working knowledge of English to take part in the programme.

Rough cuts submitted for consideration must include either English or French subtitles when required, while projects ultimately selected for the programme will need English subtitles.

Selected filmmakers will present their projects at Winterthur

Projects chosen for Final Cut: New African Shorts will be presented during the 30th Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur, which runs from 3–8 November 2026 in Switzerland.

Selected filmmakers will have the opportunity to present their work-in-progress films to international film-industry professionals, creating an opportunity to receive exposure and connections while the projects are still being completed.

The programme also covers selected participants’ travel, accommodation, subsistence and festival accreditation, substantially reducing the financial barrier to attending the industry event.

Winterthur already has an established working relationship with Locarno on filmmaker-development initiatives, including its residency programme for filmmakers from Africa and other underrepresented regions.

One project can progress to Cannes

Perhaps the programme’s most significant opportunity comes after Winterthur.

One participating work-in-progress project will be selected to connect with the Short Film Corner | Rendez-vous Industry at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2027.

The selected project’s producer and director will receive accreditation and may participate either in the four-day Rendez-vous Industry programme or in The Lab Editing Room, which supports short films in post-production through professional consultations covering areas such as editing, sound, sales and distribution.

The work-in-progress projects are also expected to be presented through the Short Film Corner | Rendez-vous Industry Video Library during Cannes.

For an emerging short filmmaker, that makes Final Cut more than a conventional festival opportunity: it creates a potential pathway from an unfinished project to international short-film industry professionals at both Winterthur and Cannes.

Part of Locarno Open Doors’ Africa focus

Locarno’s Open Doors programme is currently in the second year of a multi-year focus on filmmakers from 42 African countries.

The wider Open Doors programme combines project development, producer training, mentorship, industry networking and screenings. Its 2026 edition ran alongside Locarno Pro from 5–10 August, with financial and professional awards including the CHF 50,000 Open Doors Grant and other industry partnerships.

Final Cut: New African Shorts extends that support specifically into the short-film post-production stage through its partnership with Winterthur.

Who should consider applying?

This opportunity is particularly relevant for African directors who already have a strong rough cut but whose film is not yet finished or publicly premiered.

Filmmakers should consider applying if their project:

• is a short film expected to run no more than 30 minutes;
• is currently in advanced post-production;
• has not premiered or been selected by another festival;
• is expected to be completed during the first half of 2027;
• is directed by an eligible African filmmaker; and
• would benefit from international industry, festival, sales or distribution exposure.

Because applications are free and selected filmmakers receive travel support, the programme offers unusually strong practical value compared with many international development opportunities.

The most immediate issue, however, is timing: applications close on 17 August 2026.

Filmmakers with an eligible work-in-progress should review the programme requirements and prepare their rough cut and application materials before the deadline.