(Francois Verster at work)The Durban FilmMart is fast becoming the source of many success stories for African filmmakers, through the facilitation of opportunities that are often inaccessible to the continents Film Industry. This holds true for two respected filmmakers producer Neil Brandt and director Francois Verster who will be returning to the Durban FilmMart with their documentary film project for the second time.
“Durban FilmMart seems to be becoming the prime film continental film event on the calendar year, combining the best of creative showcasing and business opportunities which are equally important to any filmmaker,” said Brandt who is co-founder of Gauteng-based production and distribution company Fireworx Media.
Both Brandt and Verster’s documentary project The Dream of Shahrazad was part of the official selection at the inaugural Durban FilmMart in 2010, having recently won the Best Doc in Progress Award at the Sunny Side of the Docs Film Festival in France last month. The Durban FilmMart assisted the duo in meeting and collaborating with a French co-producer for the film which unlocked the opportunity to their attendance at the documentary film festival and the award was a boost for the film and reaffirmed the duo’s confidence of their work and interest in African Cinema.
Brandt has two documentary projects selected in the line-up for Durban Film Mart 2012; Devil’s Lair directed by Riaan Hendricks and Gold Dust directed by Odette Geldenhuys. Documentary project Soweto Messiah directed by Verster and produced by Mike Auret is also part of the selection of films.
Their return to the Durban FilmMart is a testament of their eagerness to promote their work to the best possible audience. “The Durban Film Mart is a highly focused and professional networking environment, and with many local and international broadcasters, funders and distributors present, it’s the perfect environment for films to find partners,” said Brandt.
Durban Film Office Head Toni Monty said that co-production and finance film market was serving the needs of filmmakers from around the African continent: “This is what the Durban FilmMart is about-identifying the potential and talent of African filmmakers and giving them a platform to make their projects a reality and success.”
The 3rd edition of Durban FilmMart, which takes place from July 20 to 23 was created as a joint programme of the Durban Film Office and the Durban International Film Festival and provides filmmakers from across Africa a valued opportunity to pitch projects to financiers, distributors, sales agents and potential co-producers, and participate in meetings, project presentations and a series of master classes and workshops on latest industry trends.
For more information on the registration process visit www.durbanfilmmart.com
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