Mastercard Enablement Programme
Dedicated to doing good by doing well, the Mastercard Enablement Programme provides three selected fellows with mentoring, financial support and public awareness for their film-related workshops, campaigns or networks that contribute to their local communities in an inclusive and impactful way.
Mastercard’s Jessica Claar explains: “For us, filmmakers are motors for change, not just by what they bring to the screen, but also for their ideas on how to create a fairer world in which to live and work. With our programme, we hope to encourage and support you in leaving behind your footprint.”
In 2020 a jury consisting of Wim Wenders, Jeannette Liendo and Dominga Ortúzar evaluated over 50 applications from around the globe and selected the following three projects. In addition, Wim Wenders offered insights and encouragement to all 250 participants during Berlinale Talents 2020.
The next edition of the programme will be open to participants of Berlinale Talents 2020 and 2021. The application process will start in autumn 2021 and the next fellows will be announced at Berlinale Talents 2022.
We found the global submissions both inspired and inspiring. With their projects and initiatives, socially-engaged filmmakers are working precisely where art and cinema have the greatest impact: namely, in having a sustainable and inclusive effect on society.Dominga Ortúzar, Wim Wenders and Jeannette Liendo, Mastercard Enablement Programme Jury 2020
The three inaugural fellows are ...
Documentary Association of Pakistan
A pilot mentorship and training scheme in the city of Quetta that will work with ten emerging documentary makers from the Hazara, Baloch and Pashtun ethnic communities to overcome sectarian and ethnic division in an otherwise vibrant cultural centre of Pakistan.
“The fellowship is a major recognition for our work and will open many doors, I believe, for partnership and support. Financial stability is the biggest challenge. Division of labour also becomes challenging in a unstructured, non hierarchical, volunteer based collective.”
The Seeds Project
An educational project for indigenous children in the Andes. Through screenings and classes at rural schools, protagonists from the documentary “Mothers of the Land” will pass on their knowledge of traditional organic farming practices and pride in their Quechua heritage.
“We would like to work with professionals from Peru or the Latin American region who know the social, agricultural context and the difficulties in accessing places. We want to contact NGOs that work with schools, as well as the schools directly, and build up an online platform.”
Sunshine Cinema
A solar-powered cinema network with screenings in rural communities. Young people are provided with mobile kits called ‘The Sunbox’ and are trained to become media facilitators, sparking conversation in their communities inspired by the power of African films.
“We want to build a long-term business model and partnerships in a way that would allow us to really expand sustainably. We would also like to patent the prototype of the Sunbox, and thirdly we need to have a stronger footprint in the distribution and international sales space.”
