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
Animation Official Selection
Animated fiction features:
Aisha Qandicha
Producer: Alyssa Harden
Director: Fatima Mahdar
Morocco
Au nom du Roi Njoya (In The Name of King Njoya)
Producer: Claye Edou
Director: Claye Edou
Cameroon
Crocodile Dance
Producer: Ingrid de Beer
Directors: Shofela Coker, Nadia Darries
South Africa /Nigeria
Kamaroza
Producer: Nouran Abdallah
Directors: Ahmad Abdelhameed, Islam Mazhar
Egypt
Kintuadi: Simon Kimbangu
Producer: Giresse Kassonga
Director: Benny Lusakueno
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tribe
Producer: Debbie Crosscu
Director: Tendayi Nyeke
South Africa
Animated fiction series:
Mboudgui
Producers: Betty Sulty-Johnson, Lamissa Ouattara
Director: Bienvenu Wanso-Tissala
Cameroon /France
Nunu Rhu/The Girl With Wings
Producers: Ameera Faber, Sabrina Roc
Director: Clare Louis
South Africa
Documentary Official Selection
Documentary Features:
Akal
Producer: Karim Debbagh
Director: Basma Rkioui
Morocco
Climbing the Mountains
Producers: Kenji Accard, Sabrina Chebbi
Co-producer: Oualid Baha
Director: Sabrina Chebbi
Algeria
Golden
Producers: Rumbi Katedza, Ingrid Martens
Director: Rumbi Katedza
Zimbabwe
Kivu
Producer: Christian Bitwaiki
Director: Elise Sawasawa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Plastic Atlantis
Producer: Pedro Soulé
Director: Samira Vera-Cruz
Cape Verde
Samaa Gafa (Dry Sky)
Producer: Aya Tallah Yusuf
Director: Ibrahim Omar
Sudan
The Salt of the South
Producer: Ramzi Laâmouri
Director: Rami Jarboui
Tunisia
Un/Settled
Producer: Mehret Mandefro
Director: Sydelle Willow Smith
South Africa
Vuka
Producer: Rehad Desai
Director: Matthew Robinson
South Africa
Documentary Series:
Planet Carnival
Producers: Thandi Davids, Adrian Van Wyk
Co-producer: Luana Rocha
Director: Kurt Orderson
South Africa
Retour à Thiaroye (Return To Thiaroye)
Producers: Dhia Jerbi, Manon Lavaud, Victor Thomas
Director: Emilien Abibou
Tunisia
Fiction Official Selection
Fiction Features:
‘n Doop om Stilte (Baptism of Silence)
Producer: Casey Diepeveen
Directors: Kanya Viljoen, Emilie Badenhorst
South Africa
Al Assas (The Guardian)
Producer: Lynda Belkhiria
Director: Muhannad Lamin
Libya/ Algeria/ Canada
Bupya (Renewed)
Producer: Oge Obasi
Director: Dipo Abdul Osiyemi
Rwanda
Corruption Is An English Word
Producer: Rea Moeti-Vogt
Director: Zoe Ramushu
South Africa
Dowar Alqamar (The Sunflowers of the Moon)
Producer: Sarra Maali
Director: ismaël
Tunisia
Le Sanglier (The Boar)
Producer: Yanis Gaye
Director: Mamadou Socrate Diop
Senegal
Nomvula (She Who Brings the Rain)
Producer: Kethiwe Ngcobo
Director: Sibusiso Khuzwayo
South Africa
Space Maasai
Producer: Wilson Nkya
Director: Priscilla Marealle
Tanzania
STERO
Producer: Juliana Kabua
Co-Director: Millan Tarus, Tevin Kimathi
Kenya
Fiction Series
High Flyers
Producer: Gabe Gabriel
Director: Ian Gabriel
South Africa
The Second Coming
Producer: Siyabonga Xaba
Director: Michael James
South Africa
VigilAunties
Producer: Dominique Jossie
Director: Loren Loubser
South Africa
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.
