Durban, South Africa. The Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s leading film market, has announced that it will be established as an independent institute functioning as a Non-Profit Organisation ahead of its 11th edition in 2020.
“This had always been part of the business plan of Durban FilmMart since its establishment in 2009,” explains Toni Monty, Head of the Durban Film Office and the DFM. “With the continued growth and expansion of the initiative, as well as the continuous increase in numbers of delegates, and submissions of projects in development, which have this year, surpassed any other in our 11-year history, the current structure has been outgrown, and sustainable long term strategies now need to be implemented.”
The Institute will uphold its mandate to contribute to the film industry on the continent, through networking, project development and upskilling, but will also explore the potential for developing year-round development programmes in partnership with key industry role-players.
The next few months will be business as usual for the DFM, while the Institute is set up.
South African arts administrator and project manager, Magdalene Reddy of Creative WorkZone, who has extensive experience in the film festival and market sector has been appointed as the project manager who will oversee the setting up of the institute ahead of the 2020 edition.
“Ms Reddy joins our team with a wealth of experience in governance and management in the Arts,” says Monty. “As a former senior administrator at the Durban International Film Festival, not to mention a string of other major international and national arts projects to her name, we believe that she is best placed to take this process forward with passion and integrity.”
“In addition, there is a solid team who have institutional knowledge that will curate and manage the event for this year’s edition to ensure another year of engaging programming.”
“Of course, partners and sponsors continue to play a vital role in the on-going success of the DFM, and we are confident that the establishment of the Durban FilmMart Institute, will provide many opportunities for meaningful collaborations.”
The DFM takes place from 17 to 20 July 2020 . For further information about the DFM go to www.durbanfilmmart.co.za
