Submissions for projects for the 7th edition of Durban FilmMart (DFM) are now open. The deadline for submissions has been shifted earlier to 14 December 2015, to allow for the selection committee to have more time to assess projects, and to create more opportunities for marketing and promotion of the projects and filmmakers at DFM.
A joint project of the Durban Film Office, the eThekwini Municipality’s industry
development unit, and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), DFM aims
to raise the visibility of African cinema, stimulate production on the continent, and
facilitate project collaboration between African filmmakers.
DFM has become an integral part of the fast-growing South African film industry
and since its inception in 2010, has helped facilitate more than 90 African co-production projects, many of which have subsequently been produced as acclaimed
films.
Selected DFM projects will undergo a two-day packaging and mentoring programme
followed by two days of one-on-one meetings with a panel of film financiers, buyers
and distributors.
The programme is open to full length feature and documentary films with Africans
in key creative roles (writers, directors and producers) that are looking for co-producers, financiers, sales agents and funders. A selection committee will review
all submissions for consideration, and will select ten fiction feature projects and ten
documentary feature projects that are in development to participate. African
filmmakers, from writers to directors, are encouraged to submit their projects by
14 December 2015.
“We would like to encourage African filmmakers to take advantage of the
opportunity to submit their projects to DFM, as we have seen how valuable the
programme is in helping filmmakers get their projects off the ground,’ says Durban
Film Office’s Toni Monty. “The networking with filmmakers from around the globe at DFM also provides opportunities for filmmakers to grow their networks further
afield. Over the years we have seen many alumnis secure further funding grants for
their films, and their works screened at film festivals around the world. It is really
a great springboard for developing projects.’
Filmmakers must note that it is important that all projects have both a producer and
director attached to them.
To find out more about the DFM 2016, project submission criteria and how to submit
your project, visit the DFM
website.
