The Durban FilmMart Institute announces the selection of projects from the inaugural DFM Access programme to be presented as official projects in this year’s DFM Finance and Pitch Forum. The Finance and Pitch Forum is a core programme of the Durban FilmMart, which takes place virtually from 16-25 July.
The DFM Access programme is a 10-week incubator aimed at fine-tuning film scripts and project packaging for emerging producers who have not previously presented any projects at similar workshops or programmes. Twenty-two projects (seven long-form fiction, six documentary, and nine episodic projects) received one-on-one mentorship through the tutelage of DFM Access mentors and over a dozen of industry guest speakers. This year’s mentors were: Antoinette Engel, Bongi Ndaba, David Horler, Kethiwe Ngcobo, Lodi Matsetela, Miki Redelinghuys, Mpho Ramathuthu, Neiloe Whitehead, Rolie Nikiwe, Teboho Pietersen, Thandeka Zwane, Tracey-Lee Dearham-Rainers and Tshego Molete Khanyile. After weeks of intense script development, project packaging and pitches, three projects were selected by an independent selection panel.
Magdalene Reddy, acting General Manager of the Durban FilmMart Institute commented, “This programme marked a new era for the institute, hosting a development programme outside the DFM event dates for the very first time. The pivot to virtual platforms has greatly extended our footprint, we can now offer a wider array of options to the African film community. We are therefore delighted that the inaugural programme is a gateway for producers, providing access and fostering community. We warmly thank all the partners, mentors and speakers, and offer congratulations to all the participants, and finally, the three selected projects.”
The three selected projects who will participate in the DFM Finance and Pitch Forum are:
- Documentary: Windward – Producers: Lusanda Mangqangwana, Lindiwe Mnisi, Katie Taylor, Director: Marie Midcalf
- Episodic: Pretty Hustle – Producer and Director: Zoe Ramushu
- Fiction: Professional Mourners – Producer: Sihle Ndaba and Director: Amanda Lane with Writer: Anthony Oseyemi
The Durban FilmMart 2021 is produced by the Durban FilmMart Institute with principal funding from the Durban Film Office and Ethekwini Municipality.
The DFM 2021 virtual event is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Film and Publications Board, International Emerging Film Talent Association, Institut Francais – South Africa, Wesgro and Namibian Film Commission with the following programme partners – AfriDocs and Avek, Berlinale Talent, Cape Town International Animation Film Festival, Digital Lab Africa, Documentary Filmmakers Association, Documentary Association of Europe, DOK.fest München, DOK Leipzig, Dolby, Durban International Film Festival, FidaDoc, Hot Docs Blue Ice Fund, Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Independent Producers Organisation, Miradas Doc, Netflix, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Produire au Sud, Rotterdam Cinemart, SASFED, South African Guild of Actors, Sørfond – Norwegian South Film Fund, SWIFT, Trace Studios, Writers Guild of South Africa.
Register for the Durban FilmMart here: https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/Delegate-Registration.aspx
