The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) announces theSelection of Participants for Talents Durban 2026

The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) announces the lineup of participants for the 19th edition of Talents Durban, taking place during the Durban FilmMart (DFM) in Durban from 9 – 12 October 2026. As the African satellite programme of Berlinale Talents, Talents Durban continues to play a vital role in nurturing emerging African filmmakers, animators, and […]
Durban FilmMart Strengthens Global Partnerships for Critics and Palestinian Cinema

The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) continues to expand opportunities for filmmakers, film critics and industry professionals through strategic international partnerships that support talent development, industry access and cross-border collaboration. Announcements made during the 2026 Cannes Film Festival highlighted two significant initiatives that will further advance support for emerging African film critics and Palestinian filmmakers engaging […]
Durban FilmMart Institute and Filmmart.Africa Partner with Encounters South African International Documentary Festival

We’re pleased to announce a strategic new partnership between Durban FilmMart, Filmmart.Africa and the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival—Africa’s leading platform for documentary film. This collaboration strengthens the commitment to fostering meaningful industry engagement, and offers a space for film professionals and audiences to explore non-fiction storytelling from Africa and around the world. Encounters […]
The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) announces the project selection for the annual DFM Pitch and Finance Forum 2026.

Thirty-six African film projects have been selected for the 17th Durban FilmMart Africa’s leading film finance and co-production market that will now take place from 9 to 12 October, in Durban, South Africa. The market will present an array of projects, including 8 animation, 10 fiction features, 10 documentary features and 7 series projects in […]
17TH EDITION OF THE DURBAN FILMMART RESCHEDULED WITH NEW DATES SET FOR 9 – 12 OCTOBER 2026

Durban, South Africa, 29 April 2026 – After careful consideration, the Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s best loved film finance and co-production market, has decided to move its 17th edition to 9 – 12 October 2026 due to significant funding challenges. The viability of hosting the DFM event in July 2026 has been considerably impacted by […]
HAPPY NEW YEAR from the team at the Durban FilmMart Institute!

SAVE THE DATE – Durban FilmMart 2026 DFM 2026 will take place in Durban, South Africa from 24 to 27 July at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani hotels. Delegate registration will open in early April. Pitch and Finance Forum – 17th Edition The call for the DFM Pitch and Finance forum is currently open […]
Future Mentors Programme Wraps its 2nd Edition

The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has wrapped its 2nd edition of the Future Mentors Programme in Tunisia and Senegal. The programme, funded by DW Akademie with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), along with partners Berlinale Talents, Centre Yennenga in Dakar and Doc House in Tunis, took place from […]
Climbing the Mountains announced as winner of the New Documentary Award at DFM 2025

Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) is proud to announce the winner of the new documentary award supported by Just Films to director, Sabrina Chebbi and producer, Kenji Accard for their feature documentary in development, Climbing the Mountains after pitching at the annual Durban FilmMart in July 2025. The documentary aims to explore the transmission of trauma […]
The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) ANNOUNCES CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR 19TH EDITION OF TALENTS DURBAN

The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) is thrilled to announce the official Call for Submissions for the 19th edition of Talents Durban, set to take place in conjunction with the Durban FilmMart (DFM) in Durban, South Africa, from 24 – 27 July 2026. As the official African satellite programme of Berlinale Talents, the Berlin International Film Festival’s […]
The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has opened the call for live action projects to pitch at DFM 2026.

In preparation for the 17th edition of the Durban FilmMart, the DFMI opens the call for fiction and documentary projects in development. Approximately 20 official projects will then be invited to participate in the DFM Pitch and Finance Forum alongside 8 animation projects. Project representatives will have the opportunity to pitch to a panel of […]