Durban International Film Festival

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François Vester - Life and Times of John C

Nineteen documentaries and fiction feature film projects from around Africa have been selected for this year’s Durban FilmMart (DFM) which takes place in Durban, South Africa from July 17 to 20, 2015. The details of the selection were announced at a networking function held at the South Africa Pavilion at the Cannes International Film Festival last night.

The Durban FilmMart, now in it’s it 6^th edition has selected these projects from 120 submissions by African filmmakers who wished to participate in the continent’s premier finance and co-production market. 

A joint initiative between the Durban Film Office and the Durban International Film Festival, the Durban FilmMart aims to raise the visibility of African cinema, stimulate production on the continent, and facilitate project collaboration between African filmmakers. The DFM creates an optimum platform for African filmmakers, financiers, broadcasters and top film experts to converge, network and spark creative thinking around current and future projects.

“This year, we are pleased to welcome projects from a diverse range of countries on the continent, including Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa,” says Toni Monty, of the Durban Film Office. “The DFM has become an important springboard for projects that have been conceptualized by African filmmakers, to support them as the projects move from the idea to exhibition. Over the last five years we have seen many projects go on to be awarded further opportunities to develop at various other markets, and eventually be screened in cinemas and festivals around the globe. In previous years, past DFM projects have been selected for the Durban International Film Festival, testimony to the value this market adds to the development process.”

A Reader Panel, comprising of African and international film professionals had to moderate and score submissions, culminating in a rigorous selection discussion over shortlisted projects in both the documentary and fiction section.

These feature and documentary film-makers will be attending the DFM for one-on-one meetings with potential investors and co-producers in the Finance Forum. The projects will also have an opportunity to pitch to a panel of commissioning editors from local and international funders and financiers.  The selected project participants will also be given opportunities to network and meet industry professionals during several scheduled industry sessions.

Selected Projects:

9 Documentaries

After Marikana – The End of Democracy  (South Africa), Producer Anita Khanna, Director Rehad Desai

Amal (Egypt) Producer Sara Bökemeyer, Director Mohamed Siam

Life and Times of John C (South Africa) Producer Neil Brandt, Director Francois Verster

Truck Mama (Kenya) Producer Zipporah Nyaruri, Director Zipporah Nyaruri, Co-director Peggy Mbiyu

Not in My Neighbourhood (South Africa) Producer and Director Kurt Orderson

Project Delight (South Africa) Producer and Director Karin Slater

Terre Jaune (Togo) Producers Sitou Ayite and Madje Ayite with Elisabeth Guthmann, Director Bouna Cherif Fofana and Sitou Ayite

The Other Half of the African Sky (Zimbabwe) Producer and Director Tapiwa Chipfupa

The Rainbow: Jazz for the Struggle, and the Struggle for Jazz (South Africa) Producer Antoinette Engel, Director Niren Tolsi

10 Fiction

Cactus Flower (Egypt) Producer Hossam Elouan, Director Hala Elkoussy

Inkabi (The Hitman) (South Africa) Producer Anco Henning, Director Norman Maake

Laughter is the best Colour (Nigeria) Producer  Mohammed  Musulumi, Director Chike Ibekwe

On the Way to Paradise (South Africa) Producer Imraan Jeeva, Director Sara Blecher

One More Night in Lagos (Cote d'Ivoire) Producer Tosin Coker, Director Marina Niava

Riot Waif (South Africa) Producer Jean Meeran, Director Zinaid Meeran

Selma and Charlize (South Africa) Producer Junaid Ahmed/Helena Spring, Director Robyn Aronstam

Sunflowers Behind a Dirty Fence (Uganda) Producer Nathan Magoola, Director Simon Mukali

The Tall Assassin (South Africa) Producer Carolyn Carew, Director Roy Zetisky

Unbalance (Ghana) Producer Akousa Adoma Owusu, Director P. Sam Kessie

The DFM also invites filmmakers who do not have projects selected for the market and industry professionals, to attend as delegates for the programme of  masterclasses, forums and networking events during the four-day market.  Registration is now open and early bird rates apply until 27 June 2015. Delegates who register within the early bird window, get discounted registration rates and inclusion in the DFM’s Industry Manual, a valuable networking tool during and after the market.

The 6^th Durban FilmMart takes place in Durban, at the Tsogo Sun Elangeni from 17 to 20 July 2015, during the 36^th edition of the Durban International Film Festival (16-26 July 2015).