Thirty-six African film projects have been selected for the 17th Durban FilmMart Africa’s leading film finance and co-production market that will now take place from 9 to 12 October, in Durban, South Africa.
The market will present an array of projects, including 8 animation, 10 fiction features, 10 documentary features and 7 series projects in development at the Pitch and Finance Forum alongside a robust industry programme which will focus on current trends, innovations, and challenges faced by the industry.
“Our stories are our voices; they represent our culture, our history, our joy, our pain and our victories. DFM is honoured to present a unique selection of African stories that will add to the successes that have gone before,” says Magdalene Reddy, DFMI director. “We look forward to following the journey of these projects for years to come, as we do with all our project alumni. The DFM provides an important platform, not only to showcase the creative work of filmmakers but also to support them in building a cross continental community, creating networks and access
The 36 selected projects will be given the opportunity to prepare for their participation at DFM with online one-on-one mentorship by leading industry experts to ensure that they are collaborator- and investor-ready when they get to Durban for the in-person pitch.
The 8 animation projects will receive additional support from industry experts through participation in the Digital Lab Africa (DLA) programme presented by DFM partner, Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.
Animation
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Animated Series Beast Seeker Producer: Danielle Retief Director: Robyn Viljoen South Africa capoZOOeira Producers: Mary Waweru Wanjiku, Carlos Zerpa Bravo Director: Orlymar Paredes Kenya, Brazil Hadu: The Series Producer: Damilola Solesi Director: Precious Anih Nigeria JUJU SOCCER Producers: Oge Obasi, Somto Ajuluchukwu Director: C.J. Obasi Nigeria
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Nerve Producer: Raffaella Delle Donne Coproducer: Renee Van Reenen Director: Tshepo Moche South Africa Sunday Morning Producer: Nahom Abiy Director: Minasie Terefe Ethiopia Animated Short In Her Hands Producer: Gehad El Akhal Director: Hagar Basiony Egypt Animated Feature MIDNIGHT METRO Producer: Wako Sefara Director: Lesego Vorster South Africa |
Fiction Features
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A touch of Paradise Producer: Sarra Ben Hassen Director: Houcem Slouli Tunisia Arbaa Shuhour wu Ashara Ayam (Four Months and Ten Days) Producer: Alsamoual Hussein Director: Alyaa Musa Sudan Fairway to Freedom Producer: Tarina Patel Director: Jahmil Qubeka South Africa HOLY COW (selected at El Gouna 2025 through partnership) Producer and Director: Asmae el Moudir Morocco MOTHER THERESA Producer: Shema Faustin Director: Mutiganda wa Nkunda Rwanda |
MIETA Producer: Neil Brandt Director: Carla Fonseca Mokgata South Africa Taht El Sama El Khadra’ (Under Green Skies) Producer: Yara Goubran Director: Jad Chahine Egypt The Boy Who Spoke Static Producer: Mathew Cerf Director: The Agbajowo Collective Nigeria Waslap (Selected through the 2025 DFM ACCESS) Producer and Director: Batandwa Alperstein South Africa Vino Amargo (Bitter Wine) Producer: David Franciscus Director: Pablo Pinedo Bóveda South Africa |
Fiction Series
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AGAIN Producer: Giresse Kassonga Director: Erickey Bahati Democratic Republic of the Congo Daddies Producer: Cati Weinek Director: Sean Mongie South Africa Fafi Producer and Director: Dominique Jossie South Africa |
FISI (HYENA) Producer: Mkamzee Mwatela Director: Sanele Zulu Kenya Smoke & Mirrors Producer: Luke Rous Director: Jozua Malherbe South Africa The Coven (selected through DFM ACCESS) Producer and Director: Sihle Mthembu South Africa |
Documentary
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Documentary Series Children of the Nile Producer and Director: Tina Obo Uganda Documentary Features Banat aljaziea alkhadra’ (GREEN ISLAND’S GIRLS) Producer: Amrosh Badr Director: Rogena Zeinelabdein Egypt DESIGNING DIVIDE (selected at Talents Durban 2025) Producer and Director: Jessie Ayles South Africa Gwijo Nation Producer: Quinton Fredericks Director: Sesihle Manzini South Africa LE FIL ET LE MUR (THE THREAD AND THE WALL) Producer and Director: Mouni Boullam Algeria, France MA NUIT DU DJOMELE (My Djomele Night) Producer: Hicham Falah Director: Barkima Nafissatou Laguempedo Burkina Faso |
Majuto si Mjukuu (Heirs of no Regret) Producer: Mumo Liku Director: Saitabao Kaiyare Kenya MDANTSANE – HOME OF BOXING (selected through DFM ACCESS) Producer and Director: Phumlani Veto South Africa The Ones With The Tempered Flowers Producer: Ivy Kiru Director: Neema Ngelime Tanzania Urban Zulu: The Busi Mhlongo Story Producer: Struan Douglas, coproducer: Vusi Mchunu Director: Rehad Desai South Africa Waiting for Evolution Producer and director: Karin Slater South Africa WHERE DO I BELONG? Producer: Talal Afifi Director: Ibrahim “Snoopy” Ahmed Sudan |
More information on this year’s theme can be found on the Durban FilmMart Institute’s website.
Delegate registration and programme details will be announced in due course.
The 17th edition Durban FilmMart is funded by the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, Ford Foundation, the National Film and Video Foundation and IEFTF.
For press enquiries please contact:
Sharlene Versfeld | Publicist | sharlene@versfeld.co.za
About Durban FilmMart Institute
Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where African 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. The Durban FilmMart Institute runs year round developmental programmes and an annual market (Durban FilmMart). The DFMI is the custodian of Filmmart.africa which is an online tool for filmmakers to connect and which we hope will enhance visibility for African content.
