Presented in partnership with Documentary Africa, The StoryBoard Collective, Perspective Fund, Real Reel Impact, Doc Society, Climate Story Labs Africa, Tunga Media Afrika, UCT Centre for Film and Media Studies, Climate Story Lab ZA, Climate Story Lab Lagos, South x Sul Network and UMI Fund.
Doc Day: Impact Edition brings filmmakers, impact producers, funders and industry partners together to explore how impact can be built into a documentary throughout its journey.
Through real African case studies, an Impact Hackathon and conversations around financing and distribution, the day looks at how films can activate audiences, build communities and support movements.
Join us at DFM, 9–12 October 2026.
Doc Day: Impact Edition is a full-day programme exploring the evolving role of impact production in African documentary filmmaking. Designed as a participatory working forum rather than a conventional conference, the day moves beyond the idea that impact begins once a film is complete and explores innovative distribution strategies that inspire real change. It brings together filmmakers, impact producers, funders, civil society organisations and broadcasters to examine how films can activate audiences, build community and support movements across the full filmmaking lifecycle.
African Impact Case Study: Children of Honey We take a closer look at how impact producing was woven into Children of Honey from development through to completion, and how early impact thinking shapes a film’s audiences, partnerships and strategy. This will be presented by Odera Onyore Nyambok II (Documentary Africa).
Impact Hackathon is an interactive session putting impact strategy into action, with delegates working in groups to build strategies for three documentary projects with the potential to spark social and climate action. These projects include Pülö: Bloodstream of the Kirike (Christina Ifubaraboye, Nigeria), Mindoube (Matamba Kombila, Gabon) and Majirani (Anthony Ochieng Onyango, Kenya). Panellists: Christina Ifubaraboye, Matamba Kombila, Anthony Ochieng Onyango. The session will be moderated by Cindy Makandi (Tunga Media Afrika) and Dr Liani Maasdorp (UCT Centre for Film and Media Studies, Climate Story Lab ZA, RRI Mentor) .
African Impact Case Study Screening: Get Reel DocuBox traces the Get Reel programme from story development and filmmaking through to impact campaigning, audience engagement and distribution around SRHRJ storytelling. This session will be moderated by Cindy Makandi (Tunga Media Afrika)
African Impact Case Study: Murder in Paris is a discussion unpacking the impact campaign design behind Murder in Paris, the power of strategic partnerships and the lessons learned along the way. The panellists include Miki Redelinghuys (Plexus Films), Enver Samuel (EMS Productions) with moderator Khadidja Benouataf (Impact Social Club and RRI Mentor)
Impact Financing: Let’s Talk About the Money! Will be an interactive ‘fishbowl’ discussion, unpacking who funds documentary impact work in Africa and how Impact Producers are supported. The panellists include Julian Etienne (Doc Society), Wanja Emily (Doc Society), Susan Mbogo (DocuBox), Mohamed Saïd Ouma (Documentary Africa), Emilien Schenker (StoryBoard Collective), with representatives from STEPS and Africa No Filter. The session will be moderated by Odera Onyore Nyambok II (Documentary Africa).
The Climate Cine-bar is an interactive creative gathering that shares excerpts and film shorts that have moved beyond the screen: connecting people and movements, reaching communities in innovative ways, creating opportunities for dialogue, solidarity and action. We pose the question: how can films activate audiences, build community and support movements? This is a must-do event for any filmmaker considering an impact campaign.
Secure your place in
the sun
Join 1,300+ international delegates in Durban this October.
The 17th edition of Durban FilmMart is funded by the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, Ford Foundation, the
National Film and Video Foundation and IEFTF.
Questions? Drop a WhatsApp message.
For press enquiries, please contact:
Sharlene Versfeld | Publicist | [email protected]
Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where African professionals and content are globally competitive and celebrated. The mission of the Durban FilmMart Institute is to provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support and facilitate investment in the African film industry. The Durban FilmMart Institute runs year-round developmental programmes and an annual market (Durban FilmMart). The DFMI is the custodian of Filmmart.africa which is an online tool for filmmakers to connect and which we hope will enhance visibility for African content.