Africa’s leading coproduction and film finance market, the Durban FilmMart, has in the past 4 years successfully presented 31 animation projects from 11 African countries to the film professionals and investors at its annual market.
In preparation for the 17th edition of the Durban FilmMart, the DFMI opens the call for animation projects in development. Approximately 8 official projects will then be invited to participate in the DFM Pitch and Finance Forum. Project representatives will have the opportunity to pitch to a panel of film professionals consisting of potential co-producers, broadcasters, film funds, and distributors who will be gathering in Durban, South Africa from the 17-20 July 2026.
“Partnerships with and for animation on the continent is imperative to move animation forward,” says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute. “DFM has fully integrated animation in its programming so that producers can form the necessary collaborations needed to grow the content from Africa. The platform presented by the DFM aims to focus the animation community on the business of making films thereby strengthening the position of animators in the international market.”
Animators with projects in development from across the continent and the diaspora are invited to apply; at least one of the 3 key creatives (Producer, Writer, Director) should be from Africa or African in the Diaspora (with an African passport*). The Pitch and Finance Forum is open to both series and feature-length projects.
Successful project participants will be invited to participate in a comprehensive mentorship programme to prepare them for their live pitch and meetings at DFM 2026. The online mentorship programme scheduled for January and February 2026 will include a series of masterclasses with leading African and global industry experts. To present their project at the 17th DFM, one representative from each of the selected projects will be provided with travel and accommodation to attend the live Pitch and Finance Forum in July 2026, in Durban, South Africa.
(Terms and conditions apply for the travel and accommodation support).
Application criteria:
- The programme is open to African animators with an active feature length or episodic animation project in development.
- The programme is open to both fiction and documentary animation projects.
- At least one of the 3 key creatives (Producer, Writer, Director) must be from Africa or African in the Diaspora (with an African passport).Should you have any questions regarding the acceptability of your documentation which connects you to the continent, especially if it is not an African passport, please write to DFMI via [email protected].
- Project applications must be completed in English, however the language of the project itself is up to the imagination of the animator/ writer.
- At least one representative must be available to participate in the online masterclass and mentorship programme and be physically present in Durban for the duration of the 17th Durban FilmMart.
- Applications can be made through the Durban FilmMart Institute website.
Deadline for applications: Friday, 31 October 2025
The call for live action projects will open shortly.
To keep up to date on call-outs filmmakers are encouraged to sign up for the DFMI newsletter on the website https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/ or follow on social media.
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