(Russel
Hlongwane : Co-curator of the DFM and DIFF industry programme)
Early
bird registration is open until June 28, 2019
Delegate registration is now open for the
10th Durban FilmMart (DFM), which takes place from July 19 to 22, 2019, during
the 40th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF).
The DFM is a joint programme of the Durban
Film Office (DFO), eThekwini Municipality’s industry development unit, and the
DIFF, and aims to develop the African film industry, grow African content and
network film practitioners.
Considered one of the most important film
industry events on the continent, the DFM introduces three new programmes to
further complement its co-production market, finance and industry development
forums.
(Tiny
Mungwe: Co-curator of the DFM and DIFF industry programme)
“The DFM is really excited to add new
programmes in this year’s event, creatively curated by South African creative
industries consultant Russel Hlongwane, and producer, curator and arts manager,
Tiny Mungwe,” says Toni Monty Head of the DFO and the DFM. “Durban Does Docs is a two-day documentary
conference, consisting of panel discussions, masterclasses and plenary
presentations aimed to attract documentary filmmakers and scholars from the
continent and around the world, who will unpack and discuss the state of the documentary
in a global context.
“We introduce the Creative Corner, a robust
open space for emerging scriptwriters, actors, set designers and make-up artists,
which will run over four days and will consist of script to live sessions,
panel discussions around the creative elements of film-making such as editing,
make-up, sound design and set design.
“And then we welcome the Locations Africa
Exhibition and Conference, a private sector initiative that focuses on film
locations in an effort to re-ignite efforts to position Africa as a key filming
destination which has all the necessary elements for inbound productions and
local film projects. Key to this is economic transformation within the film
sector.”
Locations Africa comprises of a
comprehensive expo featuring film commissions and location representatives from
South Africa and the continent; running concurrently to the expo is a full
four-day programme of seminars, workshops and panel discussions that will delve
into a myriad topics including location selection, marketing locations,
servicing and facilities management, relationships between location scouts and
management and many others.
“This is an ideal opportunity for African
countries to market their locations on the continent but also to international
producers and investors,” adds Monty. “A welcome addition to the DFM and DIFF
offering, Locations Africa will also provide producers, location scouts and
location managers with a “one-stop-shop” to see the many options Africa can
provide for film-makers.”
Adopting the theme Imagine Community, the
DFM will use this year as a call for the recalibration of the film industry. According
to the curators this provides the framework to build community within and
across markets and across countries for the development of the industry on the
continent.
The DFM’s forums will consist of panel
discussions, world cafe style engagements and the high level masterclasses
focusing on relevant topics that reflect on and forecast African cinema both
from an aesthetic and commercial point of view, the convergence of technology
and filmmaking, diversity in filmmaking and women in filmmaking. Delegates can
look forward to international, African and local cutting-edge speakers
delivering perspectives shaping the international and local industry.
DFM delegates also have access to an
industry lounge and exhibition, providing opportunities for networking sessions
and to create meaningful business relationships across the globe.
Other elements of the DFM, are the finance
forum in which 20 pre-selected feature film and documentary projects from
Africa pitch to potential sponsors, funders or partners, as well as the 12th
Talents Durban, for pre-selected intermediate African filmmakers and within the
DIFF the Isiphethu Hub programme for entry level and emerging filmmakers which
is free to the public.
“We are expecting this year to be a bumper
one, as we celebrate our 10th anniversary along with the DIFF’s 40th,” says
Monty. “Our programmes are being consolidated and there has been a lot of
creative input and film community support as we begin the lead up to this very
significant moment in the history of film on the continent.”
Early bird registration is open until June 28,
2019. Early bird fees are R1,300 for the four-day programme, which includes
four day's access to the DFM Industry Programme, access to DFM producers lounge
and DFM networking events, 10 tickets to Durban International Film Festival
screenings and company information published in the industry manual. After June
28, fees are R1,600 for the full programme while daily passes are R450 each
(the daily pass does not include tickets to DIFF screenings or access into the
opening and closing events). All tickets
exclude meals.
To register go to www.durbanfilmmart.co.za