Durban FilmMart Pitch & Finance Forum Call for Projects now open.

Project submissions for the 16th Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s leading film finance and co-production market open on 06 November 2024 and close on 19 January 2025. 

The 16th DFM,  scheduled to take place in July 2025 in Durban, South Africa,  is the flagship event of the Durban FilmMart Institute and was named in UNESCO’s 2021 Film Trends in Africa Report as ‘the continent’s best film market’.  The event is designed to generate visibility for African content and talent and create partnerships to further the development and production of African cinema.

The DFM Pitch and Finance Forum is open to feature length fiction and documentary film projects or episodic/ series content in development. One of the three key creative roles (writers, directors and producers) needs to be an African citizen. Filmmakers that are looking for co-producers, financiers, sales agents, streamers, broadcasters and funders, are invited to submit. The independent selection panel will choose up to 20 projects in development from the submissions. Selected projects will be announced in early May 2025.

Application criteria: 

  • The programme is open to African filmmakers with an active feature length or episodic projects in development. 
  • The programme is open to both fiction and documentary projects.
  • At least one of the 3 key creatives (Producer, Writer, Director) must be from Africa or from the African Diaspora.
  • Project applications must be completed in English, however the language of the project itself is up to the imagination of the filmmaker.
  • At least one project representative must be available to participate in the mentorship programme and be present in Durban for the duration of the 15th Durban FilmMart. 

Applications can be made through the Durban FilmMart Institute website: https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/pitch-and-finance-forum-application/

Deadline for applications: Sunday, 19 January 2025.

Programme dates:

  • One on One mentorship programme May to July 2025 (online)
  • Pitch and Finance Forum July 2025 (in person)

The Durban FilmMart has earned the reputation as a key platform for industry professionals attracting almost 1500 delegates from 58 countries over the 4 day-event in 2024. In addition to the Pitch ad Finance Forum the DFM will present a robust industry programme and networking events enabling filmmakers to connect with an array of significant representatives from the industry both locally and internationally. 

Apply Here:  https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/pitch-and-finance-forum-application/

Deadline for submissions: 

Sunday, 19 January at 23:59 CAT

About Durban FilmMart Institute:

Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where professionals and products 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 has recently launched Filmmart.africa which is an online tool for filmmakers to connect and which we hope will enhance visibility for African content.  

For more information about the DFMI programmes visit www.durbanfilmmart.co.za

For more information contact: [email protected]

Thank you

Submission received