Highlights from Durban FilmMart 2022

 

By Fred Felton | Jul. 24, 2022

The 13^th Durban FilmMart (DFM) is currently happening from 22^nd to 31^st July 2022 in Durban, South Africa. It is one of Africa’s biggest film events for the industry.

Durban FilmMart 2022 is currently happening in Durban, South Africa. | Photo: DFM

This year the event will be a hybrid event. The DFM will have a three-day event from 22^nd to 24^th July where people can attend in person. The event will also host a virtual programme that people can attend online for the full length of the DFM event.

The DFM receives most of its funding from the City’s Durban Film Office. The DFM 2022 event is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Afreximbank and Wesgro.

The theme for DFM 2022 is ‘Revolution/Evolution – Changing the Narrative’ and it will focus on the ever-shifting evolution within the industry, the game changers working to bring inclusivity and access to all levels of filmmakers, and the new areas driving content creation.

‘’DFM 2022 is taking the next step in delivering an in-depth and dynamic programme to the widest possible film community by hosting both an online and physical event,’’ said Magdalene Reddy, DFM Institute General Manager.

Magdalene Reddy said returning part of the DFM industry programme to the physical space will give filmmakers the opportunity for tangible networking and direct engagements.

The virtual DFM programme includes many projects in development participating in the Pitch and Finance Forum this year. This will provide filmmakers with the necessary platform to engage with national and global broadcasters, financiers, sales agents and producers for the necessary support and partnership to help their projects succeed.

DFM 2022 includes many interesting talks and an industry expo where delegates can view the many opportunities available to those in the film industry.

Tendeka Matatu, Director of Film in Africa for Netflix, one of the speakers at DFM 2022. | Photo: DFM

One of these talks included a conversation with Tendeka Matatu from Netflix where he shared advice on how to work with Netflix and the best way to pitch. 

‘’If you want to pitch it’s about building relationships,’’ advised Tendaka Matatu, Director of Film in Africa, Netflix.

He advised filmmakers to attach a producer that has already worked with Netflix to the project before you begin the process.

A new addition to the online programme will be ‘’New Voices’’ which will focus on filmmakers, collectives and platforms that operate in the margins outside of mainstream industries.

This year will also see the 15^th Talents Durban happen virtually as an important partner programme of the DFM Institute. This training and development platform offers the selected Talent participants a six-week mentorship by experienced film professionals and an opportunity to present their film projects to a global market.

Visit https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/dfm-event-2022/ to see the various options to participate, and to see the full programme and opportunities available.