# Pius and Sheikh Films Win Top Prizes at Locarno’s Africa Focus

Talemwa Pius’ “A Vineyard for a Lobster” and Mohammed Sheikh’s “Accept My Plea for a Burial” won the top prizes at Locarno’s Open Doors, the festival’s industry program spotlighting African cinema. The awards give the filmmakers increased visibility and development support, underscoring a growing international focus on emerging African talent.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Entertainment
- [Variety](https://variety.com/2026/film/global/locarno-open-doors-winners-talemwa-pius-mohammed-sheikh-1236831175/) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 11:06:12 +0000