The Durban FilmMart (DFM), which ran from 18 to 21 July in at the Elangeni hotel
in Durban alongside the Durban International Film Festival, has awarded a
number of promising African filmmakers with funding, access to international
networks and festivals as well as mentorship and skills training.
The Best South African Film Project sponsored by Videovision Entertainment was
awarded to Nyanga Sky, a film directed by Matthew Griffiths and
produced by Rafeeqah Galant who will receive a R75,000 ($7,062) prize, a
guarantee of release as well as marketing and distribution assistance from
Videovision.
Hawa Hawaii, a Kenyan film directed by Amirah Tajdin and produced
by Wafa Mohamed Tajdin, Bongiwe Selane, Helena Spring and Junaid Ahmed
won the The CineMart award, which was sponsored by the International Film
Festival of Rotterdam’s co-production market, as well as an award sponsored by
the Festival des 3 Continents’ Produire au Sud. The accolades will afford
filmmakers the opportunity to attend the Rotterdam Lab, a five-day workshop
for emerging producers, and a week-long developmental workshop program
that will grant them to better access European networks.
The South African film The Sound of Masks, directed by Kofi Zwana
and produced by Sara Gouveia, received the Most Promising Documentary Pitch
award from the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA),
which afforded the filmmakers an IDFA and Forum Pass.
Another South African film, Alex on Seventh, was awarded The New
Cinema Network award, providing director Engelbert Phiri and producer Guy
Bragge the opportunity to attend the New Cinema Network (NCN), the Rome
Film Festival’s co-production market.
In Search of African Duende: The Uganda Flamenco Project
received a $2,500 (approximately R26,208) development prize from the East
African documentary fund titled The Docubox award. The film is Ugandan,
directed by Caroline Kamya and produced by Keren Cogan.
The Restless Talent Pitch award, backed by Restless Talent Management, was
awarded to South African film Shattered. The award will offer
director Philani Ndaba a comprehensive one-year representation deal as
well as mentorship and developmental assistance.
Rwandan film Home Expulsion, which was directed and produced by
Kayambi Musafiri, will receive €5,000 (approximately R71,100) in prize money
after winning the Organisation Internationale de Francophonie award, while
South African film The Wound, directed by John Trengove and
produced by Elias Ribeiro, will receive €6,000 (approximately R85,323) prize
money for winning the ARTE France International Prize.
The Egyptian film Amal, directed by Mohamed Siam, was awarded
the new AfriDocs award.
Visit the DFM website for more
information.
