Durban FilmMart – Selected Projects Announced

Durban, South Africa: Eighteen projects by African filmmakers have been selected for the finance forum of the Durban FilmMart (DFM) which takes place from July 19 to 22 during the 34^th Durban International Film Festival (July 18 to 28).  (Photo: Director Akosua Adoma Owusu)

The Durban FilmMart, which is a co-production, finance market, and filmmakers networking event, is a joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). The event, an important event on the South African film calendar, is an opportunity for filmmakers, financiers and top film experts to gather and share expertize, 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,” said Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office, who is 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.” says Peter Machen, the manager of the DIFF. “We look forward to seeing how the DFM paves the way for further opportunities for these African filmmakers.”

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-directd 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 Julio Chavezmontes 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 4^th edition of the Durban FilmMart takes place from 19-22 July 2013, during the 34^th edition of the DIFF (18-28 July 2012).  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 June 6, 2013. For more information or to register go to www.durbanfilmmart.com

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