Ghanaian Film Journalist Alice Johnson Wins Talents Durban Talent Press Award.

The Durban FilmMart (DFM) 2025, held from 18–21 July in Durban under the theme “Bridges Not Borders: Stories That Unite”, celebrated yet another milestone as Ghanaian cultural journalist and multimedia producer Alice Johnson was named winner of the Talents Durban Talent Press Award.

Talents Durban is a renowned filmmakers’ mentorship programme run during the Durban FilmMart, aimed at nurturing emerging filmmakers and film critics across Africa. Alice Johnson, a 2025 Talents Press participant, distinguished herself among her peers, winning the Durban Talent Press Award, which earns her recognition from FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics), along with a sponsored one-year membership.

Alice Johnson is the Founder of AJ4short, a digital platform dedicated to reviewing and celebrating cinema and theatre from Africa and its Diaspora. Her work has offered a grounded lens on African storytelling and underrepresented voices. She has, through essays, reviews, interviews, and vlogs, covered stage plays, radio drama, and films across the continent.

“It has been 10 weeks of mentorship, unlearning-learning-relearning and deadlines that culminated in 4 days of an immersive experience in Durban, South Africa. I am deeply honoured to receive the Talents Durban Talent Press Award… This experience has shaped my thinking and expanded my horizon on the work I do at AJ4short. The journey has only begun, and I look forward to a bright future with limitless possibilities. Bridges, not borders,” she reflected on a post on her Facebook page.

She also acknowledged the guidance of her mentors during the program, Domoina Ratsara and Mohammed Tarek, as well as her colleagues’ talents from the program Gloria Nkatha (Kenya), Tshi Malatji . (South Africa), Riley Hlatshwayo (South Afr and Mohamed Sayed (Egypt).

This achievement adds to her already impressive list of accolades, which include her being an alumna of Multichoice Talent Factory West Africa and 2023 Inside Nollywood Film Journalism Fellow. She also has had her film criticism featured film criticism work was featured at the British Museum’s 2024 British Empire Exhibition Conference.

Her win not only spotlights her achievement but also reflects the growing influence of Ghanaian voices in shaping global conversations on African cinema.