The Durban FilmMart Institute is pleased to have partnered
with FESPACO (the Pan-African Film & TV Festival of Ouagadougou) to host a
gathering of Africa’s film labs during the festival’s 29th edition.
For the labs programme, 18 representatives of 14 labs gathered to discuss their work in providing professional support to filmmakers across the continent in the realisation of their films. The time together presented an opportunity for the DFMI to introduce the Future Mentors Programme, and for the group to have protected time together to gain a closer understanding of one another's process and practice, to learn from one another’s approach and to reflect and think through shared challenges.
Facilitated by Tiny Mungwe and Lauren Rosenberg who were both part of the co-creation of the Future Mentor’s Guide in 2022, the group was able to take a deep dive into the Guide, unpacking the freely available resource with representatives offering insights into mentorship from their own lab-specific experience and from the perspective of labs. This introduction opens a door for labs to adapt the Future Mentors Guide for use within their own lab context and for their lab needs. Importantly, it allows for the guide to remain responsive to the real-time needs of labs, as the feedback which emerged in response to it will be used to update the guide.
Much was shared during the three days together with four key areas of focus for labs emerging, namely: Context and Capacity, Sustainability, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Audience Development and Distribution.
The last day was spent strategising around these key focus areas, allowing for new knowledge and points of connection to emerge and be shared amongst the group.
As Africa’s leading co-production market, the DFMI is committed to African cinema and the professionals at its centre. Labs offer a vital source of ongoing professional support and expertise to projects and a crucial network that drives the continent's film industry forward.
DFMI thanks the support from DW Akademie and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for the Future Mentors Programme.
Be sure to access the Future Mentors Guide. (https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Durban-FilmMart-MentorsGuide22_07.pdf) This free to use, open resource is available in English and French and was designed to support mentors and platforms in their work.
A true celebration of the cinema of Africa and its diaspora was highlighted at the Closing Ceremony of the 29th edition of FESPACO. The ceremony took place in a full stadium with music and dance from Burkinabe and Chadian performers, awards were presented in the presence of the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
DFMI Alumni Win
Awards at FESPACO:
The Silver Stallion of Yennenga for Best Feature Documentary
Tongo Saa - Rising Up At Night (DFM 2020)
Nelson Makengo (Director), Dada Kahindo (Producer), Rosa
Spaliviero (Producer)
The President Thomas Sankara award for the promotion of the
values of Pan-Africanism - first prize
Our Land, Our Freedom (DFM 2020)
Meena Nanji (Director/Producer), Zippy Kimundu
(Director/Producer), Eliane Ferreira (Producer)
The President Thomas Sankara award for the promotion of the
values of Pan-Africanism - second prize
Mother City (DFM
2018)
Miki Redelinghuys (Director), Pearlie Joubert (Director),
Khetiwe Ngcobo (Producer)
FESPACO PRO Yennenga Post-Production Award
Nzonzing (DFM
2022)
Moimi Wezam (Director), Nelson Makengo (Producer), Angèle
Diabang (Producer), Michael A. Dobbin (Producer)
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The Durban FilmMart Institute, which organises DFM 2024,
receives its primary funding from the Durban Film Office and the eThekwini
Municipality.