The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has announced an open call for project submissions for four DFM initiatives: Jumpstart, Talents Durban, DFM Finance and Pitch Forum (DFM Official Projects), and DFM ACCESS.
The Durban FilmMart Institute is in charge of organising the Durban FilmMart 2023, held during the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) and supported in large part by the eThekwini Municipality and the Durban Film Office. The DFM Finance and Pitch forum is focused on 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.
The selected projects will, thereafter, undergo a six to eight-week packaging and mentorship programme prior to the DFM, followed by a pitching session to a panel of decision makers from across the globe at the physical DFM with one-on-one meetings thereafter.
Berlinale Talents dubbed Talent Durban, an initiative of the Berlin International Film Festival is open to African screenwriters and directors with fiction, documentary, animation, and hybrid projects in development – this includes all media formats such as film, television series, web series, and content for mobile platforms. Selected participants chosen by a panel of industry experts will participate in mentorship labs, workshops, discussions, and specialised programmes for specific disciplines including directing and scriptwriting.
The Talents Press component invites emerging film critics and journalists from digital and traditional media to apply for mentorship and hands-on training. The last programme, Jumpstart, is a scriptwriting incubator programme presented by the Durban FilmMart Institute in partnership with Produire au Sud, Nantes, CNC and Institute Francais, South Africa focusing on project packaging for the international market.
“Over the last 13 years, projects pitched at DFM have attracted attention from both the local and international film industry, DFM Alumni projects continue to have success on both small and big screens,” says Magdalene Reddy, General Manager for the Durban FilmMart Institute adding “we are committed to providing filmmakers with a platform which gives access and creates opportunity for growth.”
The Durban FilmMart is a pan-African finance and co-production market designed to create partnerships and further the development and production of African cinema. The next edition of the Durban FilmMart will return fully as an in person event in Durban, South Africa in July 2023.
