It’s that exciting time of the year again when the Durban FilmMart reveals the names of the African filmmakers whose film and documentary projects have been officially selected to participate in the continent’s leading finance and co-production film market.
Set to take place in Durban at the new venue of Tsogo Sun, Elangeni Hotel from July 18-21, 2014, during the 35th edition of the Durban International Film Festival (July 17-27, 2014), the Durban FilmMart – a joint initiative between the Durban Film Office and the Durban International Film Festival – will serve as a meeting place for African filmmakers, financiers, broadcasters and top film experts.
“We are very pleased to note that the number, quality and geographical spread of project submissions are growing every year. Our evaluation committee had a tough job selecting the top twenty projects most suited to the Durban FilmMart programme and we thank everybody who submitted projects for their interest in Durban FilmMart.” said Durban Film Office Head Toni Monty.
The project selection process was undertaken by a Reader Panel consisting of African and international film professionals who were given the daunting task of moderating and scoring the 164 submissions, which consisted of 85 feature and 79 documentary projects.
10 fiction projects and 10 documentary projects have been selected for one-on-one meetings with potential investors and co-producers in the Finance Forum. This year’s program will also include a full day pitch forum in which both documentary and fiction projects will be pitched to a panel of commissioning editors, funders and financiers.
Durban FilmMart participants will also have the opportunity to liaise with industry professionals during several scheduled networking sessions.
Said festival manager Peter Machen, “From Durban to Cannes, Toronto and Berlin, talented African filmmakers, including those selected to participate in DFM 2014, are making their mark in the global arena. African filmmaking is on the rise.”
The following fiction film projects have been selected for DFM 2014:
All Time Idlers (Egypt) – Directed by Khaled Hafez and produced by Hossam Elouan
The Boy in the Mask (South Africa) – Directed by Jan Lampen and produced by Jennifer Mostert
Cold Stone Jug (South Africa) – Directed by William Collinson and Ashleigh Nash
Dances of Red (Namibia) – Directed by Oshosheni Hiveluah and produced by Tapiwa Mahaka
Hawa Hawaii (Kenya) – Directed by Amirah Mohamed Tajdin and produced by Wafa Mohamed Tajdin
Nyanga Sky (South Africa) – Directed by Matthew Griffiths and produced by Rafeeqah Galant
The Story Of A Kiss (Egypt) – Directed by Ahmed Amer and produced by Wael Sayed El Ahl
The Train of Salt and Sugar (Portugal/Mozambique) – Directed by Licinio De Azevedo and produced by Pandora Cunha Telles
Tree of Crows (South Africa) – Directed by Stephen Abbott and produced by Eduan van Jaarsveldt
The Wound (South Africa) – Directed by John Trengove and produced by Elias Ribeiro
The following documentary film projects have been selected:
Afterglow (South Africa) – Directed and produced by Amber (Arya) Lalloo
Alex On Seventh (South Africa) – Directed by Engelbert Phiri and produced by Guy Bragge
Alison (South Africa) – Directed by Uga Carlini and produced by Amy Nelson
Beyond the Barricades (South Africa) Directed by Zanele Muholi and produced by Joost Verheij
The Colonel’s Stray Dogs (South Africa) – Directed by Khalid Shamis and produced by Steven Markovitz
Egyptian Jeanne d’Arc (Egypt) Directed by Iman Kamel and produced by Talal Al-Muhanna
Home Expulsion (Rwanda) – Directed and produced by Kayambi Musafiri
In search of African Duende: The Uganda Flamenco Project (Uganda) – Directed by Caroline Kamya and produced by Keren Cogan
Kula: A Memory in Three Acts (Mozambique) – Directed and produced by Inadelso cossa
The Sound of Masks (South Africa) – Directed by Kofi Zwana and produced by Sara Gouveia
The 5th Durban FilmMart takes place in Durban from July 18-21, 2014, during the 35th edition of the Durban International Film Festival (July 17-27, 2014).
Filmmakers who do not have projects as part of the official selection can still register as delegates for the event, and will have the opportunity to attend numerous masterclasses throughout the four-day event. Registration is now open; early bird rates apply until June 27.
For more information on the Durban FilmMart and how to register as a delegate please visit www.durbanfilmmart.com.
