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AfroBerlin & Afro Film Music Day Program

Industry Sessions: Monday 16, February 2026
AfroFilmMusic Day: Tuesday 17, February 2026
AfroBerlin Program

Day 2 |Monday, February 16, 2026

Panel 11

9.05 AM

9.55 AM

THE WRITER'S ROOM

Topic: Beyond the Blank Page: Unpacking the Writer's Room for Global Storytelling â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹

In an increasingly discerning world, audiences have a finely tuned "bullshit detector." Authenticity emerged as a non-negotiable cornerstone of compelling storytelling. The panel will highlight how a diverse writer's room is not just a moral imperative, but a creative one. When writers from different backgrounds, cultures, genders, and life experiences come together, they bring a wealth of lived understanding that infuses the story with genuine resonance. This moves beyond token representation into true authenticity - ensuring dialogue sounds real, cultural nuances are respected, and character motivations feel earned. As content goes global, so too does the need for cross-cultural collaboration. The panel will shed light on the exhilarating, yet complex, dance of working with international partners. This isn't just about translating dialogue; it's about understanding how humor, social norms, political sensitivities, and even narrative structures differ across borders. Finally, the discussion will tackle a perpetual industry dilemma: how to satisfy audience expectations when balancing commercial aspirations with artistic integrity.

Key Talking Points: The Imperative of Authenticity: Beyond Surface-Level Representation Bridging Worlds. International Collaboration and Understanding. The Art of Balance: Commercial Appeal vs. Arthouse Vision. Co-production treaties and market entry strategies  Creative exchange and cultural diversity in storytelling  Shared risk and increased production value

Speakers: Coming Soon

Panel 12

10.00 AM

10.45 AM

ACTING FOR IMPACT: PRESENCE, PERFORMANCE, REPRESENTATION & TECH

Topic: Navigating the Seismic Shifts Shaping the Very Essence of an Actor's career  

"Acting for Impact" means being an adaptive, astute, and deeply human artist. It means understanding the global currents, leveraging new technologies wisely, and never losing sight of the unique magic that only a human being can bring to a story. The stage, whether physical or digital, is set for a new generation of actors to truly perform, embody presence, and wield their power to change the world, one story at a time.

Key Talking Points: The uncanny valley and the human touch: the fear, however, is clear: will Al actors replace humans? Acting in the Global South: Experimenting with new forms of storytelling, using film to address social issues, preserve cultural heritage, and challenge dominant global narratives. Thriving in the global market place by tapping into universally understood emotions while honoring specific cultural contexts.

Panel 13

10.50 AM

11.35 AM

MOROCCO COUNTRY FOCUS: THE GATEWAY TO AFRICA

Topic: Beyond Servicing Foreign Blockbusters: Strengthening the Vibrant Domestic and Regional Film Industry 

Morocco is more than a location; it's a dynamic partner and a crucial bridge for storytelling between Africa and the rest of the world. The country's ancient film history doesn't start with Lawrence of Arabia (1962) or Gladiator (2000). This deep-rooted cultural heritage, a unique blend of Arab, Amazigh (Berber), African, and European influences, makes Morocco a "crossroad of cultures." This isn't just a poetic phrase; it's a practical toolkit for filmmakers. The ability to authentically represent a wide spectrum of narratives-from Saharan tales to urban Mediterranean stories-is built into the very fabric of the nation. Morocco is increasingly becoming a launchpad for African stories told by African creators. By providing the infrastructure, funding mechanisms, and post-production facilities that might be less developed elsewhere on the continent, it empowers filmmakers from Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt to realize their visions on a grand scale.

Key Talking Points: Offering technical infrastructure and financial sense without sacrificing artistic integrity. Fostering a collaborative eco-systems with regional and cross-continental partnerships.

Panel 14

11.40 AM

12.25 PM

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FILMMAKERS

Session presented and moderated by the Brixton Film Festival

Topic: The Generational Tapestry: Standing on Giants' Shoulders

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Filmmaking has always been a craft passed down through generations. From the early pioneers who experimented with light and shadow to the auteurs who defined cinematic movements, legacy is the bedrock upon which new visions are built. The panel acknowledged this profound heritage, emphasizing that empowering the next wave isn't about discarding the past, but rather learning from it, adapting its wisdom, and evolving its narratives. This sentiment underscored the idea that the legacy isn't just about preserving techniques, but about perpetuating the spirit of storytelling, making it accessible to fresh voices who can innovate and redefine its future.

Key Talking Points: Breaking down gatekeeping. Enriching the cinematic canons in front and behind the screens. What is empowering the next generation of filmmakers across the globe.

Panel 15

12.30 PM

1.15 PM

AFRICA-ASIA NEXUS

Topic: The Cinematic Superhighway: Unpacking the Africa-Asia Nexus in Filmmaking

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From the booming studios of Lagos and Cairo to the cinematic powerhouses of Mumbai and Seoul, a new cinematic superhighway is being built. As filmmakers continue to share their cameras, their budgets, and, most importantly, their stories, the global film map is being redrawn-and the future of cinema is decidedly collaborative. In the global film landscape, the traditional centers of gravity are shifting. While Hollywood and Europe remain influential, the fastest-growing audiences and the most dynamic storytelling are emerging from the Global South. Nowhere is this shift more exciting-or more ripe with opportunity-than at the intersection of Africa and Asia. This high-level panel discussion will bring together producers, distributors, and policymakers to dissect this burgeoning relationship, focusing on the practical mechanics of filmmaking, distribution, and co-production between the two continents.

Key Talking Points: The power of shared audiences and cultural resonance. Unlocking distribution: the digital bridge. Co-production: sharing risk, maximizing reach.

Spotlight

1.15 PM

1.40 PM

1 - SPORTS & FILMMAKING

Topic: From the Finish Line to the Cutting Room: A Champion Discuss Why Sports and Filmmaking Are the Ultimate Team-Up

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Any game is the ultimate narrative arc: it has clear stakes, intense conflict, heroes and antagonists, a ticking clock, and an unambiguous resolution. A filmmaker's challenge isn't creating the drama, but capturing the human cost of that drama. This spotlight will be a powerful reminder that whether you are coaching a team or directing a crew, the ultimate goal is the same: to tell a compelling story about human potential.

Key Talking Points: Sports is inherently cinematic Capturing the mental battle from the pitch and to the cutting room and to the red carpet The art of documenting greatness, performance and delivering a compelling story that move.

Spotlight

1.45 PM

2.15 PM

2 - FROM PAGE TO SCREEN

Topic: The Alchemy of Adaptation and Navigating the IP Minefield

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Book adaptations remain a staple for studios, streamers and broadcasters because they offer financial security, creative potential, and audience engagement. What about unknown authors, and what about their prospects? The journey from page to screen is always a fraught but thrilling alchemy. It requires a delicate balance of reverence for the source material and the courage to reinvent it. It demands navigating a complex web of legal rights and managing the towering expectations of passionate fans. But when the stars align-when the right creative team finds the soul of a book and translates it into a new artistic language-the result is pure magic.

Key Talking Points: The golden age of long-form: Are series the perfect fit? Why do streamers, studios and broadcasters love established IP? Vertical series and innovative formats. What to do if you are an "unknown author"?

Panel 16

2.20 PM

3.00 PM

VISUAL STORYTELLING

Topic: Visual Identity & Cultural Expression: How Design Shapes Identity and Audience Engagement

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In today's visually driven culture, design has become storytelling. From film posters and title sequences to streaming interfaces and festival branding, graphic design shapes how audiences experience stories before a single frame is seen. This panel explores how Afro-European and diasporic creators use visual language as a cultural bridge - expressing identity, aesthetics, and emotion through design. It highlights how typography, color, and composition can embody African heritage while appealing to global audiences.

Key Talking Points: Visual branding as the first narrative layer in film and media. The intersection of Afro-diasporic aesthetics and global design. Designing for emotional resonance and audience memory. The evolution of identity through visual.

Panel 17

3.05 PM

3.40 PM

VERTICAL FILMMAKING & SOCIAL MEDIA STORYTELLING

Topic: From Smartphones to Cinema Screens - Redefining How Stories Are Told and Seen.

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As audiences shift from theaters to phones, a new wave of creators is reshaping the visual grammar of storytelling. This session explores how vertical filmmaking and short-form content are transforming creative expression, distribution, and audience engagement across Africa and the diaspora. From Tik Tok and YouTube Shorts to Instagram Reels, the conversation dives into how social media is democratizing film production, nurturing talent, and redefining success in the global film ecosystem.

Key Talking Points: How mobile-first platforms are changing cinematic language. Monetization and brand partnerships for digital creators. Bridging short-form storytelling and traditional cinema. The aesthetics of vertical framing constraints or creative freedom? Case studies: viral storytelling from Africa, Europe, and the diaspora.

Panel 18

3.45 PM

4.25 PM

THE LANGUAGE OF FILMMAKING

Topic: Building Bridges Beyond French, Spanish, English, Arabic, and Portuguese - Towards a Truly Pan-African and Global Cinema.

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Language has long defined how African, Caribbean, Afropean and North & South American stories are told, financed, and circulated - often mirroring colonial divisions that still shape today's industry structures. This panel explores how filmmakers, producers, and distributors are breaking these linguistic and market barriers to create a more unified Afro- centric film economy. From French-speaking West Africa to Lusophone and Arab regions, and from African diasporas in Europe to global streaming audiences, the discussion focuses on co-production models, subtitling strategies, and distribution frameworks that connect creative ecosystems across languages and continents.

Key Talking Points: Overcoming linguistic silos in production and distribution. Successful multi-language co-productions and regional partnerships. Translation, dubbing, and accessibility as tools for inclusion. The economics of cross-linguistic film markets. Policies and platforms enabling Pan-African collaboration.

Panel 19

4.30 PM

5.10 PM

SUSTANABILITY AS A CREATIVE CHOICE

Topic: Filming the Future: Innovating Production, Protecting the Planet, One Story at Time 

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This session explores how on one hand, it highlights the growing importance of narratives that center environmental justice, social responsibility, and resilience, using cinema as a tool to spark dialogue and action. On the other, it examines green filmmaking practices: reducing carbon footprints, embracing virtual production, recycling materials, and creating ethical supply chains in film production. Filmmakers, studios, and creative institutions can adopt sustainable practices without compromising artistic integrity. From eco-friendly set design and green energy logistics to ethical storytelling and carbon accounting, panelists will share actionable insights on transforming film production into a climate- conscious and socially responsible industry. The discussion highlights African and Afro-European initiatives that merge environmental awareness with creative innovation - ensuring the next generation of filmmakers inherit not just a thriving industry, but a sustainable one.

Key Talking Points: Financing and incentives for sustainable filmmaking. Cross-continental collaboration and education. Storytelling for environmental impact. Green film production practice.

Event

5.30 PM

7.30 PM

SOCIAL CALENDAR & CALENDAR

Topic: AfroBerlin Country Focus Cocktail Event ​​ 

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Event

7.45 PM

11.30 PM

SCREENINGS

Topic: AfroBerlin Evening of Screenings (x2 feature films or one feature and 2 shorts)​​ 

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