Eighteen projects by African filmmakers have been selected for the finance forum of
the Durban FilmMart (DFM) that takes place from 19 to 22 July during the 34th Durban
International Film Festival (DIFF) from 18 to 28 July.
The DFM, which is a co-production, finance market, and filmmakers networking event,
is a joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the DIFF. This important
event on the South African film calendar is an opportunity for filmmakers, financiers
and top film experts to gather and share expertise, explore new ventures and keep up
to date with industry trends.
The finance forum of the DFM provides filmmakers from across Africa an opportunity to
pitch their projects to international financiers, distributors, sales agents and potential
co-producers, as well as meet experts in master classes, attend meetings and engage
with industry professionals.
“The Durban FilmMart, which attracted around 350 delegates last year, is now firmly
established as a prominent project development and finance forum on the continent,’
says Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office, currently at Cannes to promote the DFM.
“We are pleased that the filmmakers are now looking to this market as a valuable
step in the development of their projects.’
A total of 113 submissions, comprising 31 documentaries and 82 features were
received, out of which eight documentaries and 10 fiction projects were selected. A
Reader Panel of African and international film professionals assessed these projects
and made the selection based on a number of standard criteria. The directors and
producers of these projects will have one-on-one meetings with potential investors
and co-producers at the Finance Forum.
“Making film is not simple process. Months and years of planning go into developing
concepts and projects. The DFM allows filmmakers an opportunity to unpack and
investigate financing possibilities for their projects and it can provide the momentum
to shift projects to the next level. We look forward to seeing how the DFM paves the
way for further opportunities for these African filmmakers,’ says Peter Machen, the
manager of the DIFF.
Selected Documentaries:
- Blindness (South Africa): Directed by Sarah Ping Nie Jones and produced by Jean
Meeran - Behind the Falls (South Africa): Directed by Rowan Pybus and produced by
Sydelle Willow Smith - Miners Shot Down (South Africa): Directed/Produced by Rehad Desai,
produced/written and co-directed by Anita Khanna and produced by Brian Tilley - Not Just a Stripper (South Africa): Directed and produced by Izette Mostert
- GTI – Paradise in Hell (Rwanda): Directed and produced by Yves Montand
- Searching for Janitou (Algeria): Directed by Mohamed el Amine Hattou and
produced by Anusha Nandakumar and co-produced by Claire Mazeau-Karoum - Unearthed (South Africa): Directed and produced by Jolynn Minnaar
- We Want Development (Kenya): Directed by Phillipa Ndisi-Hermann and produced
by Atieno Odenyo
Selected Fiction Projects:
- Andani and the Mechanic (South Africa): Directed and produced by Sara Blecher
- Black Sunshine (Ghana): Directed by Akosua Adoma Owusu and co-produced by
JulioChavezmontes and Angele Diabang - Five Fingers for Marseilles (South Africa): Directed and produced by Michael
Matthews and written and produced by Sean Drummond - Free the Town (Kenya): Directed by Nikyatu Jusu and produced by Vincho Nchogu
- Life More or Less (Nigeria): Directed by Julius Morno and produced by Kinsley
Madueke - Njangi – Fifty Fifty (Cameroon): Directed and produced by Victor Viyuoh
- Sea Monster (South Africa): Directed by Anthony Silverston and co-produced by
Stuart Forrest and Mike Buckland - Solidarity (Zambia): Directed by Rungano Nyoni and produced by Juliette
Grandmont - The Bill (South Africa): Directed by Nosipho Dumisa and produced by Travis
Taute - Whiplash (South Africa): Directed by Meg Rickards and produced by Jacky
Lourens
The 4th edition of the DFM takes place from 19 to 22 July 2013 during the 34th
edition of the DIFF from 18 to 28 July 2013.
Filmmakers who did not submit projects for official selection can still register as
delegates for the event and enjoy the expert panels, master classes and networking
opportunities.
Registration will officially open on 6 June 2013.
For more information or to register go to www.durbanfilmmart.com.
