The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has announced 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 reimagine 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.
Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute says: “With 17 years of Talents Durban shaping and inspiring African filmmakers, the Durban FilmMart Institute is pleased to see this programme grow. 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 eight-week online mentorship, culminating in a four-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 July 1, 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.
About Talents Durban
Talents Durban, founded in partnership with the Berlin
International Film Festival, is part of a global initiative, with offshoots in
Beirut, Buenos Aires, Sarajevo, Tokyo, Guadalajara, and Rio.
About Durban FilmMart Institute:
Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African
film industry in a world where professionals and products are globally
competitive and celebrated. The mission of the Durban FilmMart Institute is to
provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support
and facilitate investment in the African film industry. The Durban FilmMart
Institute runs year-round developmental programmes and an annual market (Durban
FilmMart). The DFMI has recently launched Filmmart.africa which is an online
tool for filmmakers to connect and which we hope will enhance visibility for
African content.
For more information about the DFMI programmes visit www.durbanfilmmart.co.za
The Durban FilmMart Institute, which organises DFM 2024, receives its primary funding from the Durban Film Office and the eThekwini Municipality.
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