The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) is proud to announce the official projects for the Pitch and Finance Forum of the 2025 Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s leading co-production and film finance market. Taking place from 18 – 21 July 2025, the 16th edition of DFM, under the banner “Bridges Not Borders: Stories that Unite,” will host a dynamic four-day event in Durban, South Africa.
This year, 31 compelling projects in development from 15 countries, will participate in the DFM Pitch and Finance Forum, a pivotal platform where filmmakers convene to network with global broadcasters, financiers, streamers, sales agents, festival programmers, and producers. This interaction is crucial for acquiring the necessary support to transition projects from development to production, ultimately bringing diverse African narratives to both regional and international audiences.
Magdalene Reddy, Director of the DFMI, commented on the selection of projects: “This year’s selection continues our proud tradition of championing authentic African narratives and voices from across the continent. The projects selected for DFM 2025 demonstrate exceptional storytelling that bridges cultures while remaining deeply rooted in their unique contexts. Given the remarkable success of our DFM alumni in recent years—with projects premiering at major international festivals and securing global distribution—I’m confident this cohort will follow a similar trajectory of recognition and impact. These stories not only connect different regions of Africa but also reach out to our diaspora and Global South communities, embodying our theme of building bridges through cinema.”
Official Project Selections
Fiction Official Selection
| Fiction Features: | Nomvula (She Who Brings the Rain) Producer: Kethiwe Ngcobo Director: Sibusiso Khuzwayo South Africa |
| ‘n Doop om Stilte (Baptism of Silence) Producer: Casey Diepeveen Director: Kanya Viljoen, Emilie Badenhorst South Africa | Space Maasai Producer: Wilson Nkya Director: Priscilla Marealle Tanzania |
| Al Assas (The Guardian) Producer: Lynda Belkhiria Director: Muhannad Lamin Libya/ Algeria/ Canada | STERO Producer: Juliana Kabua Co-Directors: Millan Tarus, Tevin Kimathi Kenya |
| Bupya (Renewed) Director: Claire Sheila Birungi Producer: Oge Obasi Co-Producer: Dipo Abdul Osiyemi Rwanda | Fiction Series: |
| Corruption Is An English Word Producer: Rea Moeti-Vogt Director: Zoe Ramushu South Africa | High Flyers Producer: Gabe Gabriel Director: Ian Gabriel South Africa |
| Dowar Alqamar (The Sunflowers of the Moon) Producer: Sarra Maali Director: ismaël Tunisia | The Second Coming Producer: Siyabonga Xaba Director: Michael James South Africa |
| Le Sanglier (The Boar) Producer: Yanis Gaye Director: Mamadou Socrate Diop Senegal | VigilAunties Producer: Dominique Jossie Director: Loren Loubser South Africa |
Animation Official Selection
| Animated fiction features: | Kintuadi: Simon Kimbangu Producer: Giresse Kassonga Director: Benny Lusakueno Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Aisha Qandicha Producer: Alyssa Harden Director: Fatima Mahdar Morocco | Tribe Producer: Debbie Crosscu Director: Tendayi Nyeke South Africa |
| Au nom du Roi Njoya (In The Name of King Njoya) Producer: Claye Edou Director: Claye Edou Cameroon | Animated fiction series: |
| Crocodile Dance Producer: Ingrid de Beer Directors: Shofela Coker, Nadia Darries South Africa /Nigeria | Mboudgui Producer: Betty Sulty-Johnson, Lamissa Ouattara Director: Bienvenu Wanso-Tissala Cameroon /France |
| Kamaroza Producer: Nouran Abdallah Directors: Ahmad Abdelhameed, Islam Mazhar Egypt | Nunu Rhu/The Girl With Wings Producer: Ameera Faber, Sabrina Roc Director: Clare Louis South Africa |
Documentary Official Selection
| Documentary Features: | The Salt of the South Producer: Ramzi Laâmouri Director: Rami Jarboui Tunisia |
| Akal Producer: Karim Debbagh Director: Basma Rkioui Morocco | Un/Settled Producer: Mehret Mandefro Director: Sydelle Willow Smith South Africa |
| Climbing the Mountains Producers: Kenji Accard, Sabrina Chebbi Coproducer: Oualid Baha Director: Sabrina Chebbi Algeria | Vuka Producer: Rehad Desai Director: Matthew Robinson South Africa |
| Golden Producers: Rumbi Katedza, Ingrid Martens Director: Rumbi Katedza Zimbabwe | Documentary Series: |
| Kivu Producer: Christian Bitwaiki Director: Elise Sawasawa Democratic Republic of the Congo | Planet Carnival Producer: Thandi Davids, Adrian Van Wyk CoProducer: Luana Rocha Director: Kurt Orderson South Africa |
| Plastic Atlantis Producer: Pedro Soulé Director: Samira Vera-Cruz Cape Verde | Retour à Thiaroye (Return To Thiaroye) Producer: Dhia Jerbi, Manon Lavaud,Victor Thomas Director: Emilien Abibou Tunisia |
| Samaa Gafa (Dry Sky) Producer: Aya Tallah Yusuf Director: Ibrahim Omar Sudan |
Beyond the Pitch and Finance Forum, DFM 2025 offers an enriching Industry Programme featuring masterclasses, panel discussions, and roundtables with some of Africa’s foremost filmmaking professionals.
DFM 2025 recognises that our strength lies in our ability to connect, share, and grow together, rather than in isolation. When we position cinema as a bridge rather than a border, we open ourselves to genuine exchange and collaboration that enriches our storytelling capabilities. The event aims to create pathways for shared resources, knowledge exchange, and creative partnerships that connect different regions of the continent and reach out to diaspora and global South communities.
Early Bird registration for participation is now open until 31 May 2025.
For more information and to register, please visit our website: https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/
The Durban FilmMart Institute receives principal funding from the Durban Film Office and the eThekwini Municipality. For further inquiries, contact: [email protected]
About the Durban FilmMart Institute:
Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where film professionals and content 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.
