The Durban FilmMart co-production and finance market recently highlighted some of its partners, experts and special guests attending the event in 2012. Durban FilmMart is taking place from 20 to 23 July, and is a joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF).
Durban-based Videovision Entertainment is returning as sponsor of the Best South African Project award presented at the Durban FilmMart Closing Night and Awards ceremony on 23 July. The prize – valued at R75,000 – goes towards the print, advertising and marketing costs related to the theatrical release of the film project. Additionally, Videovision Entertainment guarantees the film distribution in South Africa. The objective of the award is to nurture and develop emerging South African filmmakers, which is a key objective of the company.
Commenting on the sponsorship, Videovision Entertainment’s CEO, Anant Singh said, “We are delighted to be returning as the sponsor of the Best South African Project prize at the Durban FilmMart this year. We are firmly committed to the South African film industry and believe that there is a wealth of emerging filmmakers who are extremely talented. Our sponsorship is designed such that these emerging filmmakers are motivated with the knowledge that a theatrical release is guaranteed. We look forward to exciting and innovative projects at Durban FilmMart this year.’
Industry expert Roshanak Behesht Nedjad from EAVE (European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs) will be presenting a Masterclass on Finance at the Durban FilmMart this year. The Masterclass, which is open to all DFM participants and delegates with an interest in acquiring finance to their film projects, will offer invaluable advice from the award-winning producer.
Behesht Nedjad is one of the founders and producers of Flying Moon, a prominent Berlin-based production company that has received over 70 nominations and 40 awards at international film festivals since its inception in 1999. She is a graduate of the EAVE European Producers Workshop programme and works with several EAVE initiatives including European Producers Workshop and Interchange, their Middle East programme. Most recently she delivered a Masterclass at the 2012 Cannes Producers Network titled “Branding Yourself & Your Projects’. She also serves as a member of the German Film Academy as well as the European Film Academy.
A special guest attending Durban FilmMart this year is Bankside Film’s Alice Ramsey, who will be attending as a Financier for the Durban FilmMart’s Finance Forum. Ramsey is a Sales & Acquisitions Co-ordinator at the International sales company, and will be looking to partner with projects with an international appeal. Based in London, Bankside Films operates in an executive producer capacity, utilising its extensive relationships with international financiers and distributors to source funding and pre-sales in order to move projects into production.
For more information, visit http://www.durbanfilmmart.com
