Durban FilmMart 2019 project submissions now open
Project submissions for the 10th Durban FilmMart (DFM) which takes place from 19 to 22 July 2019, during the 40th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) in South Africa, are now open.
The DFM is a joint project of the Durban Film Office (DFO), the eThekwini Municipality’s industry development unit and the DIFF, which aims to support and stimulate the growth of the African film industry and develop connections between African filmmakers and the world.
“We are very proud to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Durban FilmMart and we look forward to welcoming the next set of projects to join our network,” says head of the Durban Film Office, Toni Monty. “The Durban FilmMart has worked with over 200 projects since its inception 10 years ago, and we are thrilled to have seen many of these projects finding their way onto the international cinema circuit, and for some, winning prestigious awards at global markets and festivals.”
The DFM comprises a stimulating four-day programme of workshops, seminars and networking sessions. The market attracts approximately 600 film-makers, distributors, broadcasters, agents, financiers and investors and other film industry representatives from around the world.
“The Durban FilmMart has become an important launch pad for African content, and we intend to expand opportunities for participating filmmakers even further as we approach our decade celebrations,” says Monty. “For the 2019 project selection, we will be looking for extraordinary African stories with strong creative visions that offer interesting and unique perspectives on African realities. For 2019 we will also be on the lookout for narratives and documentaries that bring women’s voices to the fore.”
Some examples of DFM alumni projects that have received international acclaim include Inxeba:The Wound andTrain of Salt and Sugar (which were South Africa and Mozambique’s respective selections for an Oscar consideration for Best Foreign Language Film in 2018), Five Fingers for Marseilles and Rafiki to name a few.
Ten documentaries and ten fiction feature length film projects will be selected from the submissions, and these 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 from across the globe.
The DFM is open to both full length feature and documentary films projects with Africans in the major creative roles (writers, directors and producers) that are looking for co-producers, financiers, sales agents and funders. Film projects submitted are reviewed by a selection committee for consideration. All projects must have both a producer and director attached to them and must be submitted by 14 January 2019.
For more about the Durban FilmMart 2019, project submission criteria and how to submit your project, visit the DFM website.
The 40th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) takes place from 18 to 28 July 2019.
For further enquires contact: in**@du************.com