How The Durban Film Office is Empowering Women

This month is Women’s month and we celebrate all of the wonderful women in the community.

It’s almost time for the Durban FilmMart.  The Durban FilmMart has been a programme of the eThekwini Municipality’s film industry unit, the Durban Film Office in partnership with the Durban International Film Festival since 2009.

The Durban Film Office has played a key role in advancing women in the film industry. This includes appointing Toni Monty as the Head of the Durban Film Office and Durban FilmMart. They have also made sure there are many more women bringing Durban FilmMart to the film industry in Durban and Umhlanga.

One example is the inspiring woman and Durban resident Jacintha de Nobrega. She was recently appointed as the Deputy Chair of the Inaugural Board of the Durban FilmMart Institute.  

She represents SWIFT (Sisters Working in Film and Television) an NPO that advocates and lobbies for women’s equality in the television and film industry. 

Jacintha de Nobrega is the Deputy Chair of the inaugural Board of the Durban FilmMart Institute. | Image: Supplied

We managed to interview her ahead of Durban FilmMart:

What can people expect from Durban FilmMart this year?

This year's theme for the Durban FilmMart, presented by the Durban FilmMart Institute, is Brave New Cinema, as leading and emerging African film professionals gather in an online space, to benchmark themselves, learn from peers, pitch their ideas and projects and network, and collectively demonstrate their courage to tell their own stories. 

The DFM features a series of webinars with presentation conversations, panel discussions, case studies and pitching with many opportunities for networking and engaging. 

How is eThekwini Municipality helping Durban FilmMart out this year?

The 2020 Durban FilmMart is being managed by the Durban Film Office (DFO) on behalf of the Durban FilmMart Institute; The DFO is the film industry arm of the eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development unit.

What do you do to personally uplift the film community in Durban?

I have been a film and television producer in Durban for the past 5 years and my focus has always been to empower and create opportunities for Durban based film professionals. My productions have always included skills transfer and mentorship and it's been rewarding to see these young people go on to have a career and grow in the industry.

Who are your role models?

Women who are breaking the ceiling in their respective industries, we have a unique ability to have compassion and tolerance and this is needed in business. Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand is someone I have much respect for today as she has proven that women are good leaders.

What advice do you have for young female filmmakers?

Study your craft and those of your colleagues and then find a mentor. Believe in yourself and trust your intuition, it's one of the most powerful qualities women possess.

What is it like to sit on the board of the Durban FilmMart Institute?

It is indeed a privilege and honour for me to serve on the inaugural Board of the Durban FilmMart Institute. The autonomy that has been afforded will lend itself to the unleashing of even more creativity and opportunities for African filmmakers and for the city of Durban to claim its rightful place as a leader in the industry and elevate it internationally as well. I am looking forward to working in earnest with my colleagues to achieve this objective during my term.

How has COVID-19 impacted on your life and the film industry in Durban?

Covid-19 has literally put a stop to my business but not my life. Filming is way too uncertain right now and the risks and financial implications are too high. Life has to go on and this time has been well spent working on developing projects and realigning my business.

How can men help to stop gender-based violence in South Africa?

In calling for consciousness I urge men to take stock of their actions in every way possible. By speaking up when they see any kind of sexual harassment and by teaching young boys to respect women. It starts at home and parents have the power to reframe how young boys treat women.

It’s Women’s Month this month. What words of wisdom do you have for Durban women?

This Women’s month comes at a crisis point for women in South Africa with the sharp escalation in gender-based violence. I urge women to support and build one another. Alone we are strong but together we are stronger. Be strong and be fierce! 

Inspiring words from this female filmmaker based in Durban.

 

The Durban FilmMart recently announced that it will be established as an independent institute functioning as a Non-Profit Organisation ahead of its 11^th edition in 2020.

 

“This had always been part of the business plan of Durban FilmMart since its establishment in 2009,” explains Toni Monty, Head of the Durban Film Office and the DFM. “With the continued growth and expansion of the initiative, as well as the continuous increase in numbers of delegates, and submissions of projects in development, which have this year, surpassed any other in our 11-year history, the current structure has been outgrown, and sustainable long term strategies now need to be implemented.”

 

“Going forward the Durban Film Office will continue to support the DFM, and the Institute structure will allow possibilities for new partnerships and fundraising, that will ensure the growth and continued stability of the annual initiative,” says Monty.

 

The Durban Film Office and Durban FilmMart work to empower women and another example is by appointing South African arts administrator and project manager, Magdalene Reddy of Creative WorkZone, who has extensive experience in the film festival and market sector. She has been appointed as the project manager who will oversee the setting up of the institute ahead of the 2020 edition.

 

“Ms Reddy joins our team with a wealth of experience in governance and management in the Arts,” says Monty. “As a former senior administrator at the Durban International Film Festival, not to mention a string of other major international and national arts projects to her name, we believe that she is best placed to take this process forward with passion and integrity.”

The 11th Durban FilmMart (DFM) Virtual Edition takes place from 4 to 13 September this year.

The Durban Film Office continues to create awareness around gender-based violence. One such way is by featuring prominent filmmakers that deal with gender-based violence at Durban FilmMart. One example is Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahui (Rafiki) who will feature in DFM Conversations at DFM 2020 | Image: Supplied

“Going online has enabled us to extend our reach and include more filmmakers than ever before,” says Mandisa Zitha, Chairperson of the Durban FilmMart Institute Board. “The disruption of our world by the COVID-19 virus has led to innovation, as well as demonstrated the ever-increasing need for the creation of content. The DFM virtual space now offers filmmakers extensive opportunities to network, make connections with other filmmakers and industry professionals with whom they can collaborate, or build relationships and get down to the business of film. This we believe will provide a positive stimulus for the industry’s economy on the continent.” 

Ms Zitha is another shining example of how the Durban Film Office is empowering women to take their rightful place in high profile positions.

To register as a delegate visit: http://www.durbanfilmmart.co.za/Brave-New-Cinema-2020 

DFM is presented by the Durban FilmMart Institute in partnership with the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality and other partners.

For more info on how eThekwini Municipality is helping your city out visit: www.durban.gov.za