Selection for Durban FilmMart announced
The official project selection for the 6th Durban FilmMart was announced in Cannes last week.
NINETEEN documentaries and fiction feature film projects from around Africa have been selected for this year’s Durban FilmMart (DFM) which takes place in Durban, from 17 to 20 July at Tsogo Sun Elangeni.
The details of the selection were announced at a networking function held at the South Africa Pavilion at the Cannes International Film Festival last week.
The Durban FilmMart, now in its 6th edition has selected these projects from 120 submissions by African filmmakers who wished to participate in the continent’s premier finance and co-production market.
A joint initiative between the Durban Film Office and the Durban International Film Festival, the Durban FilmMart aims to raise the visibility of African cinema, stimulate production on the continent, and facilitate project collaboration between African filmmakers. The DFM creates an optimum platform for African filmmakers, financiers, broadcasters and top film experts to converge, network and spark creative thinking around current and future projects.
“This year, we are pleased to welcome projects from a diverse range of countries on the continent, including Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The DFM has become an important springboard for projects that have been conceptualised by African filmmakers, to support them as the projects move from the idea to exhibition. Over the last five years we have seen many projects go on to be awarded further opportunities to develop at various other markets, and eventually be screened in cinemas and festivals around the globe. In previous years, past DFM projects have been selected for the Durban International Film Festival, testimony to the value this market adds to the development process,” said Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office.
These feature and documentary film-makers will be attending the DFM for one-on-one meetings with potential investors and co-producers in the Finance Forum. The projects will also have an opportunity to pitch to a panel of commissioning editors from local and international funders and financiers. The selected project participants will also be given opportunities to network and meet industry professionals during several scheduled industry sessions.
The DFM also invites filmmakers who do not have projects selected for the market and industry professionals, to attend as delegates for the programme of masterclasses, forums and networking events during the four-day market. Registration is now open and early bird rates apply until 27 June.
For more information on the chosen projects and the Durban FilmMart and to register as a delegate, visit www.durbanfilmmart.com
