Celebration of landmark film month with powerful stories, historic wins
Hailed as a resounding celebration of both cinematic excellence and tourism success, the spotlight continued to fall on KZN as the action-packed calendar of events unfolded during the Film Month (July).
DURBAN was abuzz during July, known as Film Month, when the industry recorded milestones and honoured its shining stars.
Against the vibrant backdrop of Simon Sabela Awards (SSA), school holidays, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, and a suite of world-class film industry events, the city saw a marked increase in visitor numbers, hotel occupancies, and creative output, reinforcing KZN’s position as the cultural and tourism heartbeat of South Africa.
Hosted and co-ordinated by the KZN Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), July Film Month 2025 involved three major events – the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), the Durban Film Mart (DFM) and the SSA.
Also read: Local learner wins big in glitzy film, TV awards
These key events seamlessly aligned with the peak holiday season, drawing thousands of creatives, holidaymakers and industry players to Durban. “KwaZulu-Natal came alive this July – not just through film, but across every corridor of our tourism economy,” said a delighted Jackie Motsepe, chief operating officer of KZNTAFA. “We saw a deliberate crossover between leisure and the creative sector.
“Early indicators reveal that this was one of the most vibrant Julys in recent memory for KZN, drawing tourists and boosting local economies. Tens of thousands of visitors descended on Durban for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, a major crowd-puller on Africa’s social calendar. We used Film Month to show the world what KZN can do – from beach to bush, from cinema to celebration – and the response has been extraordinary,” added Motsepe.
“Film Month was more than an industry activation, it was a province-wide celebration that brought together leisure, culture, business and heritage. Durban’s streets buzzed with visitors, cinemas came alive with new voices, and red carpets were rolled out for local legends and future stars.
“Film Month was more than an industry activation – it was a province-wide celebration that brought together leisure, culture, business and heritage. Durban’s streets buzzed with visitors, cinemas came alive with new voices, and red carpets were rolled out for local legends and future stars,” said Motsepe.
“We have seen what’s possible when we bring our sectors together. This is the blueprint – and we’re just getting started,” said Motsepe.
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
