Durban FilmMart Champions South African Cinema This Year

 

By Fred Felton | July 12, 2025

The 2025 Durban FilmMart (DFM) edition is reaffirming its position as a leading platform for African and global film collaboration by shining the spotlight on South African cinema through its ‘SA in Focus’ programme.

The South African cinema will take centre stage at this year's Durban FilmMart edition, with industry leaders unpacking the state of the country's current audio visual sector. 

DFM takes place from 18 to 21 July at Durban’s Elangeni Hotel; the programme will bring together industry leaders, guilds and creatives to examine the current state and future of South Africa’s audio-visual sector.

‘’The SA in Focus programme aims to build a strong local foundation that is essential for the broader growth of Africa’s film industry,’’ said DFM Institute Director Magdalene Reddy.

Highlights in the programme include the flagship State of the South African Audio-Visual Industry session, featuring key stakeholders such as the National Film and Video Foundation, SABC, and various provincial commissions. The programme will also explore topics such as artificial intelligence’s creative influence, copyright in the digital age, and strategies for international co-productions.

There will also be panel discussions hosted by major guilds, including the South African Guild of Actors, the Writers’ Guild of South Africa, the Directors Guild of South Africa, and the Editors Guild, will address critical issues such as storytelling, sustainability, and creative ownership.

Other sessions to look out for include The African Aesthetic, Directors as Cultural Architects, and Independent Producers Organisation to Intellectual Property on global market access.

DFM 2025 will focus on collaboration and professional development underscoring its continued role in shaping a thriving and future-ready SA film industry.

Register now for DFM 2025 at: www.durbanfilmmart.co.za

For enquiries: info@durbanfilmmart.com

The Durban FilmMart Institute receives principal funding from the Durban Film Office and eThekwini Municipality.

DFO-Supported Film Prospers

 

By Fred Felton | Aug. 10, 2024

The film ‘’God’s Work’’ produced in Durban demonstrated the powerful value chain and enabling role that is provided by the Durban FilmMart (DFM) for African filmmakers.

God’s Work, which is currently in post-production, examines the lives of 4 homeless men in Durban.

The film is directed by Michael James, produced by Sithabile Mkhize, with Executive Producer Toni Monty of A.M. Afrika Film.

God’s Work was pitched to financiers at the DFM in 2022, securing funding from local entities, including the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Durban Film Office, and the PESP Fund.

Production began in May 2024, with completion aimed for November 2024. This will allow it time to be submitted for festivals in 2025.

Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute, said the film exemplifies the market model of DFM, where pitching and connecting with industry stakeholders catalyses a film’s value chain.

The DFM once again played host to over 1 400 film industry professionals this year once again demonstrating its power in providing connections and enabling filmmakers from across the African continent. 

DFM Packed Full of Events for Filmmakers

 

By Fred Felton | 20 Jul. 2024

This year the Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) presents the 15^th edition of Durban FilmMart (DFM), and the theme for this year is ‘’African Visions Unleased: From Disruption to Accountablility.’’

Headline speakers at DFM. | Photo: DFM. 

DFM takes place in Durban, South Africa from 19 – 22 July 2024. This year South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy and the Durban FilmMart 2024 edition embraces three decades of transformation and legacy. The DFM has been instrumental in shaping the discussions about the South African film industry, and it has fostered a symbiotic relationship between filmmakers and the industry over its 15-year existence.

The DFM 2024 programme promotes 30 years of democracy and it will feature a series of ‘’SA in Focus’’ sessions as well as the DFM Access Programme, exploring the film industry development in SA, aspirations and challenges.

‘’Celebrating 30 years of democracy in South Africa at DFM means reflecting on the multiplicity of opportunities our democracy has created for local filmmakers. As we look back on the progress made – from creativity and resilience to strategic thinking – our democracy has not only provided access to platforms but has also opened doors to diverse storytelling, enabling filmmakers to tackle bold and disruptive narratives,’’ said Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute.

Some of the highlights of DFM so far have included a NFVF Masterclass: Marketing Your Project with Nicola Ofoego.

In this Masterclass Nicola Ofoego showed the audience how to market a film and included some key marketing basics for filmmakers.

‘’Who is the audience of your film or series?’’ asked Nicola Ofoego. 

In a packed Netflix workshop Neil Brandt led a panel of Dorothy Ghettuba from Netflix and filmmakers Jayan Moodley and Katleho Ramaphakela.

Dorothy Ghettuba advised that at present Netflix is looking at Non-fiction works, Drama, Romance, Comedy, Crime Thrillers and even Mystery.

‘’You are going to get a film on Netflix by making your own films,’’ advised Neil Brandt.

On Day 2 of DFM key highlights included a Producer’s Lounge hosted by Dragon Productions where producers networked over a cup of coffee.

Later in the day Katie Irwin shared tips on sales and distribution for filmmakers.

Actors listened intently to a masterclass on the business of acting with Steven Adams. He shared tips and advice for thespians.

‘’Treat yourself like a business,’’ said Steven Adams.

The Actors in the audience were also encouraged to have a business plan.

‘’Connect with Producers you want to work with,’’ advised Adams.

There are still many more useful events to look forward to on Sunday and Monday.

On Sunday look out for Speed Meetings where you can meet the French Film Professionals and later in the day look forward to a workshop with the Industrial Development Corporation.

For Monday you can look forward to a Netflix Masterclass with Chris Mack and later on look forward to opportunities for the audio visual industry courtesy of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority.

The Durban FilmMart Institute receives principal funding from the Durban Film Office and the eThekwini Municipality.

To register for DFM visit https://durbanfilmart.co.za/

For more information visit: info@durbanfilmmart.com

Call for Projects for DFM 2023

 

By Fred Felton | 27 Jan. 2023

The Durban FilmMart (DFMI) has opened the call for a variety of projects in development for the 14^th annual Durban FilmMart.

Durban FilmMart now accepting projects from filmmakers. | Photo: DFM

The Durban FilmMart is a pan-African finance and co-production market which aims to create partnerships and help with the development and production of African cinema. UNESCO’s 2021 Film Trends in Africa Report recently named DFM as ‘’the continent’s best film market’. The Durban FilmMart will return as an in person event in Durban, South Africa in July 2023.

The following DFM programmes are still open for application:

Pitch and Finance Forum – Deadline 10 February

This is for fiction, documentary and series film projects with Africans in the major creative roles (writers, directors, and producers) seeking co-producers, financiers, sales agents, and funders are invited to submit their projects that are in development.

A director and producer must be attached to the project. The DFMI independent adjudication committees will select 10 documentaries and 10 fiction film projects from the submissions. These projects will undergo a 6-8 week packaging and mentorship programme prior to the DFM, followed by a pitching session to a panel of global decision makers at the DFM event with one-on-one meetings afterwards.

For more information and to submit a project visit:

https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/pitch-and-finance-forum-application/

Talents Durban - Deadline 17 March

The DFMI in cooperation with Berlinale Talents, an initiative of the Berlin International Film Festival, invites participants to apply for the 16^th edition of Talents Durban. Talents Durban is open to African screenwriters and directors with fiction, animation, documentary and hybrid projects in development – this includes all media formats such as film, television series, web series and content for mobile platforms. Those selected by a panel of industry experts will participate in mentorship labs, workshops, discussions, and specialised programmes for specific disciplines including scriptwriting and directing.

The Talents Press section invites emerging film critics and journalists from digital and traditional media to apply for mentorship and hands-on training. Prospective Talents must have a portfolio of their previous work and a current project which is in progress.

For more information and to apply visit:

https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/talents-durban-application/

Jumpstart – Deadline 31 March

Jumpstart is an incubator programme for scriptwriting presented by the Durban FilmMart Institute in partnership with Produire au Sud, Nantes, CNC and Institute Francais, South Africa. The programme will focus on project packaging for the international market; filmmakers are introduced to key techniques and tools for scriptwriting and storytelling processes.

For more information and to apply visit:

https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/jumpstart-appliction/

‘’We are committed to providing filmmakers with a platform which gives access and creates opportunity for growth,’’ said Magdalene Reddy, General Manager for the Durban FilmMart Institute.

The Durban FilmMart 2023 is presented by the Durban FilmMart Institute with principal funding from eThekwini Municipality and the Durban Film Office.

Call for Film Projects for Durban FilmMart 2020

Project submissions for the 11th Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s leading film industry co-production market is now open and close on 31 January 2020.

A Durban FilmMart Workshop

 The 11th DFM is scheduled to take place from 17 to 20 July 2020, during the 41st Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) in Durban, South Africa.

A joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO), the eThekwini Municipality’s industry development unit and the DIFF, the DFM aims to support and stimulate the growth of the African film industry and develop connections between African filmmakers and the world. The project-in-development section of the DFM offers opportunities for film-makers to pitch to industry experts with the view to advancing their ideas closer to production.

The 2020 edition of DFM over four days will include pitching sessions for projects in development, workshops, panel discussions and seminars with industry experts and the ever-popular networking sessions enabling film-makers to connect and re-connect with an array of significant representatives from the industry both locally and internationally.

“We are very excited about the 11th edition of the Durban FilmMart,” says Head of the Ethekwini Municipality’s Durban Film Office Toni Monty. “The importance of the market to film-makers continues to make an impact. The 10th edition attracted influential individuals and organisations from across the globe. We also witnessed significant growth in our delegate numbers, and we able to expand the programme with a number of new offerings including the important Locations Africa aimed at attracting more filming on the continent, a larger isiPhethu Hub for emerging filmmakers within the DIFF as well as the Engage

@DFM which was a curated think tank of conversations and panels on the future perspectives of the African film.”

Last year the market drew a record number of over 1000 delegates, including film-makers, distributors, broadcasters, agents, financiers and investors from around the world.

The selection panel will choose up to ten documentaries and ten fiction feature length film projects from the submissions. Selected projects will be announced in early May 2020, and will participate in a programme of mentorship and project packaging before presenting their projects to potential investors at the Durban FilmMart in July 2020.

Full length feature and documentary film projects with Africans in the major creative roles (writers, directors and producers) that are looking for co-producers, financiers, sales agents and funders, are invited to submit.

For more about the Durban FilmMart 2020, project submission criteria and how to submit a project, visit www.durbanfilmmart.com.

For further enquires contact: info@durbanfilmmart.com or call +27 31 311 4243.

Deadline to submit: 31 January 2020

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton

All you need to know for DIFF 2019

The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) presented by the Centre for Creative Arts, Universitty of KwaZulu-Nata has launched its programme for its 40th

edition which takes place from 18 to 28 July 2019 at various venues around Durban, South Africa.

Knuckle City

The DIFF, together with the 10th Durban FilmMart (DFM), the industry development programme in partnership with the eThekwini Municipality’s Durban Film

Office, bring a combined 50 years of film to film-lovers and its hard-working creative industry.

The opening film of the festival is by acclaimed South African director Jahmil X. T. Qubeka’s. Knuckle City  is a riveting exploration of the psychology of a fighter from

the Mdantsane township of South Africa. Produced and edited by award-winning Layla Swart of Yellowbone Entertainment, together with Mzansi Magic.

“We are very excited to be opening our 40th edition with this gritty raw film by Jahmil” says Chipo Zhou, Festival Manager. “This is a film which we believe

will do very well as a cinema release, with boxing as the means to tell a the story, but its muti-layered narrative will resonate much deeper with audiences than what it appears at first. ”

In Qubeka’s words “It is my intention to capture the essence of life in Mdantsane and the restless pursuit of being a champion within a society that often dictates you are a failure. I am determined with this film to give audiences a glimpse into a world rarely seen, and a deeper understanding of the multi-faceted individuals inhabiting our land.”

The Jury

 The DIFF programme includes 150 films from around the globe, comprising 74 feature films, 25 documentaries and 90 shorts; a community outreach programme, the Wavescapes Surf Film festival with 19 films focussed on surfing and water culture, the Isiphethu Hub a free industry programme for entry-level and emerging filmmakers, and the DFM for intermediate and professional filmmakers which includes the Talents Durban in partnership with the Berlin International Film Festival, a one-day Durban Does Docs documentary conference, a free Creative Corner which offers insights into costumes, make-up and set design, a finance forum for pre-selected film projects to pitch to potential investors and the like, and a full programme of master classes, workshops and seminars.

This year the inaugural Locations Africa Expo and Conference will happen as part of Durban FilmMart. It aims to highlight filming locations in Durban and Africa.

Kasala

Feature films that are in competition this year include a meta-cinema work by director South African directed Roger Young, Love Runs Out, Angus Gibson’s

Back of the Moon (South Africa) set in Sophiatown in 1958, Cronofobia (Switzerland) directed by Francesco Rizzi a psychological drama about suspended

identity; a Brazilian drama Divine Love (Divino Amor) directed by Gabriel Mascaro tells the story registry office clerk who uses her position at the births,

deaths and marriages department to try to dissuade couples from getting a divorce.

Everything must fall

Riccardo Salvetti’s Rwanda: The Untold Story, (Italy) offers a new take

on the Rwandan genocide, through the first person experience, using live dramatic performance, intertwined with filmic reality; Tchaiko Omawale’s Solace

(USA) is a moving and artful portrait of a smart, driven, and self- destructive teenage orphan struggling to find her place; Vai (New Zealand) by director

Marina Alofagia McCartney is a portmanteau feature film by 9 female Pacific filmmakers. Chinese auteur, Zhang Wei’s The Rib is about the strained

relationship between a young man wanting a sex change operation, and his Christian father; Nigerian film Mokalik directed by Kunle Afolayan follows an

11-year-old boy from the middle-class suburbs who spends the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop in order to view life from the other side

of the tracks.

Free Our Bodies

Some of the documentaries in competition include South Africa director Nicole Schafer’s Buddha in Africa, which recently opened the Encounters Film

Festival, Anbessa (Italy/USA) directed by Mo Scarpelli, a coming-of-age story that captures a boy taking on modernization, Maya Newell’s, In My Blood it

Runs (Australia), about an Aboriginal boy whose traditional skills are of no value within the modern education system. Fatma Riahi’s A Haunted Past (Qatar) is a personal portrait of a broken Tunisian-Bosnian family as ex-prisoner and ex-jihadist. Hamada (Sweden) by director Eloy Domínguez Serén, is a humorous, bittersweet portrait of three uncompromising twentysomethings cut off from the world in a refugee camp; Edward Watts and Waad al-Kateab’s For Sama (UK/USA/Syria) takes an intimate look at one young woman's struggles with love, war and motherhood. Mother I am Suffocating. This Is My Last Film About You by Lesotho filmmaker Mosese Lemohang Jeremiah, is an extended, poetic letter to the protagonist’s mother and motherland. Sara de Gouveia, The Sounds of Masks (SA/Portugal) follows a compelling storyteller and legendary Mozambiquan masked dancer. My Friend, Fela (Brazil) directed by Joel Zito Araujo, explores the life of legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. A Girl in Return (Denmark) directed by Katrine W.Kjaer, an intimate tale about what happens when an adopted teenage girl decides to reclaim her lost identity.

Noah Wise

“We are pleased to announce that once again, the winner in the documentary competition will automatically qualify for consideration for nomination for

an Academy Award,” says Zhou.

Spokie Gaan Huis Toe

Venues this year include Suncoast Cine Centre, Musgrave Ster Kinekor, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, Denis Hurley Centre, EKhaya Multi-Arts Centre, Max’s

Lifestyle, Ohlange Museum, Tate’s Kasi Grill, Artizen Lounge, KZNSA, Bay of Plenty Lawns (Wavescapes Opening), Ushaka Marine World, Luthuli Museum, K-cap and

Garden Court.

Back of the Moon

The full programme will go online at the end of June 2019.

For more info go to ccadiff.ukzn.ac.za/ or follow on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

To register for Durban FilmMart visit www.durbanfilmmart.co.za

#DIFF2019

Images courtesy DIFF. 

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton

Opportunity for Female Filmmakers

Blue Ice Pictures in partnership with The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) will be hosting a four week

mentorship and hands on training programme for emerging female filmmakers in September 2017.

Blue Ice Pictures is an independent film and television production company based in Toronto with an office in Cape Town. The company’s highly skilled team develops and produces critically acclaimed and commercially viable films, television shows, documentaries, and reality series, with a longstanding involvement in international co-productions and studio production services.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture that was

created to ensure the equitable growth of South Africa's film and video industry. We do this by providing funding for the development, production, marketing and distribution of films and also the training and development of filmmakers.

In addition, the NFVF commissions research and produces industry statistics that provide both the public and

stakeholders with valuable insights into the South African film industry.

The two successful candidates will be working closely with a director and producer on the set of Blue Ice Pictures

television series production in Toronto. The programme offers accommodation, travel and a stipend whilst in Toronto.

Criteria:

Applicants must have a minimum experience of 2 – 3 years proven track record in producing /

directing a Fiction / Drama (NO DOCUMENTARIES)

South African citizen or permanent resident and must reside in South Africa

Previously disadvantaged individuals are encouraged to apply

Requirements:

Full comprehensive CV

A short career profile within the film industry

Certified ID copy

Certified valid passport

Must be AVAILABLE for 45 uninterrupted weeks whilst based in Toronto

Important Notice:

1. Incomplete applications will be disqualified

2. Only certified documents will be accepted

3. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered

4. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for a one on one interview

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 31 July 2017

EMAIL SUBMISSIONS TO: applications@nfvf.co.za

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton 

All You Need To Know For The Durban International Film Festival 2017

It’s almost time for the Durban International Film Festival.

The Opening Film - SERPENT

The festival will open with the South African film ‘SERPENT’ by Amanda Evans.  It’s been described as a tightly wound, psychological time bomb that unravels with an intense, disturbing conviction.

This year the festival has a new manager, Chipo Zhou.

The festival will pay tribute to three stalwarts, the late and great Joe Mafela and Junaid Ahmed and the living legend, Abdullah Ibrahim.

There will also be the regular features including Talents Durban, Workshops, Durban FilmMart, 

Wavescape Film Festival which opens on Bay of Plenty on 16^th July at 7pm, A Schools Programme and also Free Screenings and Workshops around Durban and much more.

There will also be a German focus in this festival with a German Film Festival within the Durban Film Festival.  Look out for 10 gripping German films by some of Germany’s finest directors, a masterclass by German film industry professionals, as well as networking sessions with the cream of the international film industry crop.

German films to look out for include: ‘The People vs Fritz Bauer,’ also ‘Paula,’ and ‘Goodbye Berlin.’

The Goethe-Institut will also present various Virtual Reality (VR) films at Durban FilmMart which will show what the future holds for filmmakers.

The Closing Film - ASINAMALI

The Durban International Film Festival runs from 13 – 23 July in Durban, South Africa.

For more info visit: www.durbanfilmfest.co.za and www.durbanfilmmart.com

Twitter: @DIFFest   #DIFF2017 

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton 

Opportunity For Filmmakers

France South Africa coproduction Workshop

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the National Centre for Cinema (CNC) of France, in conjunction with the French Embassy in South Africa, are organising a 2 day coproduction workshop between the two countries, which will be held in Paris the week of 27 March 2017.

This workshop is part of the ongoing collaboration between these institutions to strengthen the cooperation in the film industry between France and South Africa, and to encourage coproductions within the framework of the coproduction treaty existing between the two countries.

The workshop that will be organised in Paris specifically aims to create a platform for South African filmmakers/producers with developed feature film projects to meet with their fellow French producers, and find potential partners with a view to coproduce their projects.

In order to be considered for the coproduction workshop organised in Paris, a project must meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below:

1. Application is for feature length film projects only (80 minutes minimum).

2. Project must have a director and producer attached to it.

3. Film producers and directors are either citizens or permanent residents of South Africa.

4. Previous industry experience is required. The director and producer must have experience in their respective role (no less than one feature film for the producer, at least 2 shorts for the director).

5. The project must be fully developed and relevant for the French/European market

How to Apply?

Send your complete application in English by email to: coproductions@nfvf.co.za 

To be considered, applications must include the following:

1. Covering letter

2. Synopsis

3. Director’s treatment

4. Full script

5. Director and producer’s profiles.

6. Tentative budget

7. Finance plan

Closing date for applications is 15 December 2016.

Selections will be made according to the above criteria and successful

applicants will be notified by the 31 January 2017.

Transport and accommodation costs of selected participants will be covered by NFVF (One participant per project).

For more info and to download  the application form visit: www.nfvf.co.za