The packed programme for Africa’s premier co-production market has now been confirmed with a line-up of renowned speakers and facilitators. The 3rd Durban FilmMart promises a focused look at the industry, its current challenges and new developments combined with a host of master classes, seminars, workshops and focused networking opportunities. The European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE) joins FilmMart as an official partner and brings with it a wealth of knowledge and skills for participants and delegates.
EAVE was founded in 1988 as a professional training, project development and networking organisation for audio-visual producers. Joining forces with the Durban FilmMart is set to expand their African footprint and assist the co-production market in providing international level professional training opportunities and bringing together producers from different regions of the world with the aim of facilitating co-production relationships.
The organisation firmly believes in uniting and supporting the independent voices, creative imagination and culturally driven companies that exist within the global media industries through the facilitation of workshops, seminars, forums and interchange programmes in various regions around the world. EAVE’s focus is centred on encouraging the exchange of knowledge and skills which strengthen independent production across the world as well as contributing to the creation of strong networks of producers.
EAVE aligns itself with a consortium of major role-players in the film production industry that like-mindedly promote its mission including funders, festivals and markets as well as training and press agencies.
EAVE President Alan Fountain and facilitators Jacques Akchoti and Roshanak Behesht Nedjad will be attending the Durban FilmMart 2012. Script-writing expert Akchoti will present a Masterclass on “Developing African Stories for Global Markets’ to all participants and delegates of the Durban FilmMart 2012.
Akchoti has extensive experience as a screenwriter, script consultant, director and training facilitator and is set to provide Durban FilmMart attendees with the edge to breakthrough into global territory.
Another special guest at DFM 2012 will be Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films. A desire to develop and produce independently financed feature and documentary films brings writer and Emmy nominated producer Barnes, co-founder and partner of Louverture Films, as a Financier to the Durban FilmMart 2012.
With a vested interest in partnering with progressive filmmakers and producers from around the world, particularly from the global South, Barnes dedicates herself to the development and production of thought-provoking films of historical relevance, social purpose, commercial value and artistic integrity through film production company Louverture Films.
Among the films Barnes has executive produced or produced since co-founding Louverture Films with actor/activist Danny Glover, are the Cesar-nominated Bamako, Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner and Oscar and Emmy nominated Trouble The Water, Oscar shortlisted Soundtrack For A Revolution, Bollywood thriller Dum Maaro Dum, the award-winning Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, this year’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner The House I Live In, and the forthcoming feature Highway. She associate produced Elia Suleiman’s The Time That Remains, and the 2010 Cannes Palme d’Or winner Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Barnes also wrote and directed the short film PRANA for Cineteve France as part of an internationally distributed series of 30 short films to promote awareness of environmental issues.
