(Jolynn
Minnaar, director of “Unearthed”)
Eighteen projects by African filmmakers
have been selected for the finance forum of the Durban FilmMart (DFM) which
takes place from July 19 to 22.
The Durban FilmMart, which is a
co-production, finance market, and filmmakers networking event, is a joint
programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film
Festival (DIFF) which takes place from July 18 to 28.
The event, an important event on the South
African film calendar, is an opportunity for filmmakers, financiers and top
film experts to gather and share expertise, explore new ventures and keep up to
date with industry trends.
The finance forum of the DFM provides
filmmakers from across Africa an opportunity to pitch their projects to
international financiers, distributors, sales agents and potential
co-producers, as well as meet experts in master classes, attend meetings and
engage with industry professionals.
“The Durban FilmMart, which attracted
around 350 delegates last year, is now firmly established as a prominent
project development and finance forum on the continent,” said Toni Monty of the
Durban Film Office, who is currently at Cannes to promote the DFM. “ We are
pleased that the filmmakers are now looking to this market as a valuable step
in the development of their projects.”
A total of 113 submissions, comprising 31
documentaries and 82 features were received, out of which eight documentaries
and 10 fiction projects were selected. A Reader Panel of African and
international film professionals assessed these projects and made the selection
based on a number of standard criteria. The directors and producers of these
projects will have one-on-one meetings with potential investors and
co-producers at the Finance Forum.
“Making film is not simple process. Months
and years of planning go into developing concepts and projects. The DFM allows
filmmakers an opportunity to unpack and investigate financing possibilities for
their projects and it can provide the momentum to shift projects to the next
level.” says Peter Machen, the manager of the DIFF. “We look forward to seeing
how the DFM paves the way for further opportunities for these African
filmmakers.”
Among the selected documentaries are the South
African productions: Blindness directed
by Sarah Ping Nie Jones and produced by Jean Meeran; Behind the Falls directed by Rowan Pybus and produced by Sydelle
Willow Smith; Miners Shot Down
directed/produced by Rehad Desai, produced/written and co-directed by Anita
Khanna and produced by Brian Tilley; Not
Just a Stripper directed and produced by Izette Mostert; and Unearthed directed and produced by
Jolynn Minnaar
In the selected Fiction Projects category South
African productions include Andani and
the Mechanic directed and produced by Sara Blecher; Five Fingers for Marseilles directed and produced by Michael
Matthews and written and produced by Sean Drummond; Sea Monster directed by
Anthony Silverston and co-produced by Stuart Forrest and Mike Buckland; The Bill directed by Nosipho Dumisa and
produced by Travis Taute, and Whiplash directed by Meg Rickards and produced by
Jacky Lourens.
The 4th edition of the Durban FilmMart
takes place from July 19 to 22 during the 34th edition of the Duran International
Film Festival which takes place from July 18 to 28. Filmmakers who did not
submit projects for official selection can still register as delegates for the
event and enjoy the expert panels, master classes and networking opportunities.
Registration will officially open on June 6, 2013. For more information or to
register go to www.durbanfilmmart.com
Posts
