Neya Harouna Wins the Talent Press Award

Neya Harouna emerged as one of the standout figures of Talents Durban 2026, taking home the Talent Press Award—a mentorship program dedicated to film criticism. The honor was bestowed on him on October 12 in Durban during the closing ceremony of the Durban FilmMart, which ran from October 9 to 12.

Based in Ouagadougou, Harouna is a professional in cultural organization management, a journalist, and an art critic. He also works as a media correspondent and contributor for publications specializing in arts and culture, while developing cultural initiatives focused on the online discoverability of cultural content.

His journey into film criticism began in 2021 during the inaugural Pan-African Art Criticism Week organized by Noocultures, where he attended his first workshop led by Cherqui Ameur. That initial contact proved to be a defining moment. “It was ‘the right one,'” he recalled, “and I immediately wanted to keep writing about films.”

Selected in June 2026 as part of the Talents Durban cohort in the Talent Press category, he participated in a hybrid program spanning from June to October. “I truly enjoyed the Durban experience. Writing articles beforehand was both a massive challenge and deeply exciting. I learned new approaches to critical writing. The in-person component was even more enriching, especially with receiving the Talent Press Award,” he shared.

Beyond the professional development, stepping outside the Francophone sphere left a lasting impression on him. “It was great to discover a film environment outside the Francophone region. I had to adapt and build my English fluency during conversations, workshops, training sessions, and screenings. I am very grateful for this opportunity dedicated to young critics,” Harouna noted.

The Durban FilmMart serves as a vital platform offering wide-ranging opportunities for African cinema professionals, including film critics. “Durban provided a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the challenges and opportunities ahead. I look to the future with optimism, focusing on continuing to sharpen my critical perspective and building a solid professional network. It was also a chance to bring visibility to my work, particularly around the discoverability of cultural content,” he concluded.