After the disrupting effect of the Covid-19 pandemic which forced the Durban FilmMart Institute to host Africa’s premier film industry event online, filmmakers from across the continent, producers and financiers will meet face-to-face at the Elangeni Hotel under the theme, Revolution//Evolution – Changing The Narrative.
Magdalene Reddy, General Manager of the Durban FilmMart Institute, says that they are looking forward to once again host an in-person event at Durban.
"It has been a long time coming but at last DFM will host a physical programme bringing film professionals together under one roof. For the fluid and fast-changing film industries of this vast and varied continent, the value of in-person connection and interaction cannot be over-estimated. It is a crucial opportunity for gathering award-winning filmmakers and producers, technical experts and financiers, and dynamic up-and-coming talent in one creative space. While DFM 2022 retains a powerful online programme for those who cannot make it, we strongly encourage in-person attendance to be part of this year’s buzz,” says Reddy.
One of the key anchors of this year’s physical industry programme is global-streaming giant, Netflix who will host a Masterclass, titled A Netflix Guide to Post Production & Visual Effects. The Masterclass will be presented by a duo of leading post-production experts from Netflix; Leo De Wolff and Ben Perry. The session will provide a general overview of globally successful titles and processes with special attention given to The Rain and Ragnarok, two exceptional international Netflix series.
A special featured presentation by Tiktok highlighting why Tiktok and Film make each other better will be made by Carla Harris who is the Media Partnerships Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa at TikTok
Included in the masterclass series are Developing Scripted Content by Trace Studios and Marketing and Distribution by the National Film and Video Foundation. These topical sessions will feature experts Beverley Mitchell and Thandeka Zwana, who have both earned wide international recognition for their experience and expertise.
Tracking the exponential growth of the animation sector, the DFM 2022 physical programme will feature a session on distribution within the animation sector and discuss how incubators and creative clusters form dynamic models for transformation within the industry.
The physical programme will bring together South Africa’s major industry bodies such as Documentary Filmmakers Association, Independent Black Filmmakers Collective, Independent Producers Organisation, Writers Guild of SA and SWIFT.
Each organisation will present a session addressing the trends and needs of the industry from Making Documentaries Under Duress; to understanding how the highly controversial draft Copyright and Performers’ Protection Bills affect filmmakers; to reviewing how the #MeToo movement has changed storytelling both in terms of content and in the filmmaking process itself; and including a presentation on how innovative fundraising and monetizing strategies can be used to create new avenues of support for filmmakers.
Also making a welcome return at the Mart are the industry Exhibition stands. The Industry Lounge will offer a vibrant setting to connect with each other and engage with industry organisations.
In addition to the physical industry programme from July 22 to 24 for those attending in-person, Durban FilmMart 2022 will also present a virtual programme that takes place from July 22 to 31. Registrations are open for both online and physical participation at Durban FilmMart. Visit https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/dfm-event-2022/ to review the participation options, and to explore the full programme of activities and opportunities on offer.
The Durban FilmMart Institute receives principal funding from the Durban Film Office and the eThekwini Municipality.
The DFM 2022 event is kindly supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, GIZ, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, KZN Convention Bureau, International Emerging Film Talent Association, French Institute in South Africa, CNC Deental-ACP, Trace Studios, Eastern Cape Development Cooperation, Goethe Institute, Panavision, Wesgro, Sheer publishing, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.
Programme partners include Animation SA, Animation Network Africa, Berlinale Talents, Digital Lab Africa, Documentary Filmmakers Association, Durban International Film Festival, EAVE, Locations Africa, Independent Black Filmmakers Collective, Independent Producers Organisation, NEFTI, Netflix, Produire au Sud, SWIFT, Writers Guild of South Africa, Africa No Filter, Cinemart, DOK.fest München, Dok Leipzig, FIDA DOC, The Gotham, Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival, Hot Docs-Blue Ice Docs Fund, International Documentary Festival Amsterdam, Miradas Doc, Sørfund Fund, TikTok and The Whickers.
Durban FilmMart Institute is a premier business hub for African film industry professionals and products. Its mission is to provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support and facilitate investment in the African film industries.
For more information on the Durban FilmMart Institute – the annual market and year-round programmes, visit https://www.durbanfilmmart.co.za/
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