The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) is thrilled to announce the call for submissions for the 18th edition of Talents Durban, a talent development programme in partnership with the Berlin International Film Festival. Taking place in July 2025 in Durban, South Africa, this year’s Talents Durban will run alongside the Durban FilmMart, Africa’s premier film finance and co-production market.
A unique platform tailored to African film professionals, Talents Durban has evolved into a vital forum for creativity, collaboration, and project development. This programme offers emerging talents an opportunity to network, gain expert mentorship, and explore new insights into the craft and business of filmmaking across the continent.
Talents Durban invites African screenwriters and directors with fiction, documentary, animation, or hybrid projects in development to apply. The programme accepts submissions across various formats, including feature films, television series, web series, and mobile content. Additionally, Talents Press welcomes applications from emerging film critics and journalists eager to refine their skills and re-imagine the landscape of film criticism.
A panel of industry experts will select participants to join an immersive programme featuring mentorship labs, workshops, and discussions aimed at enhancing their creative and professional abilities. These sessions will focus on key disciplines such as directing, scriptwriting, and film criticism, offering participants a comprehensive, hands-on experience.
“With 17 years of Talents Durban shaping and inspiring African filmmakers, the Durban FilmMart Institute is pleased to see this programme grow,” says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute. “Talent development is the cornerstone of a thriving film industry, and Talents Durban plays a critical role in empowering the next generation of African storytellers. This programme is a testament to the incredible diversity and transformative potential within African cinema.”
This year’s edition combines an online and physical programme. Participants will engage in an 8-week online mentorship, culminating in a 4-day in-person summit in Durban.
Programme Overview: Talents Labs
Talents Durban offers four dedicated labs, each tailored to specific areas of film and media:
* Storytelling Lab: Encompassing six feature film scripts, six short film scripts, and four web series concepts, each guided by expert mentors to enhance narrative depth and development.
* Animation Lab: Supporting four animation projects, with a focus on project development, character design, and the business aspects of animation.
* Doc Lab: Targeting six documentary projects in development, offering expert guidance and mentorship.
* Talents Press: Three emerging film critics will receive hands-on training and mentorship, producing festival coverage through film reviews, interviews, and social media.
Eligibility and Application Process
Talents Durban is open to African citizens aged 18 or older by 1 July 2025. The selection process requires a complete application, including a sample of past work and details of a project in development. The primary language of the programme is English, with specific sessions available for French and Portuguese speakers. DFMI will cover accommodation and accreditation costs for successful applicants. Participants will need to arrange their own travel to Durban in July 2025.
Important Dates
The submission window opened on 10 December, 2024, and closes on 09 February, 2025. Selected participants will join the online mentorship from May to July and attend the in-person Durban FilmMart event in July 2025.
How to apply:
Click
here (https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/talents-durban-application/)
for more details on application information.
APPLY
HERE (https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/talents-durban-application/)
** For more information: info@durbanfilmmart.com (mailto:info@durbanfilmmart.com)
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