Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) is
delighted to announce the appointment of its new Board of Directors.
The Board plays a vital role in guiding the
strategic direction, fostering growth and ensuring the continued success of the
Durban FilmMart Institute in advancing its mandate to facilitate local and
international trade and investment in African film content.
The Board of Directors, taking the baton
from the founding board, includes Dr Tegan Bristow, Fazel Dolley, Mpumi
Mazibuko, Pearl Munonde and Neiloe Whitehead, led by co-chairs Neil Brandt and Maganthrie
Pillay.
“We extend a very warm welcome to the Board
of Directors of 2023”, says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart
Institute. “The newly appointed members bring a wealth of experience, expertise
and passion for the film industry and we have the utmost confidence in their
abilities and strategic vision. Their diverse backgrounds and perspectives will
contribute to the Institute’s commitment to promoting cinematic excellence,
supporting emerging talents and preserving film heritage and culture on the
continent.”
The Durban FilmMart Institute, established
in 2020, aims to be a leading hub for the African film industry, supporting
professionals and promoting global recognition. DFMI offers programmes and
services to facilitate investment, increase project visibility, access funding,
promote co-productions, encourage collaboration, expand market access and
create a supportive community of filmmakers on the continent.
Board of Directors:
(Right: Dr. Tegan Bristow)
Dr Tegan Bristow holds the positions of
Director of Education for the soon to be opened Diriyah Art Futures centre, in
addition to being Fak’ugesi Principal Researcher and Senior Lecturer at the
renowned Wits School of the Arts, specialising in African Art, Culture and
Technology. Alongside these roles, Bristow previously held the role of Editor
in Chief and Digital Editor for the Ellipses Journal for Creative Research.
Notably, Bristow has directed the Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival
from 2016 to 2020, and currently collaborates closely with Fak’ugesi Festival,
Tshimologong Innovation Precinct, and the Wits School of Arts to spearhead
research on the Digital Creative Industries in Africa. In an exciting
partnership with GIZ, Bristow is presently engaged (2021 - 2023) in mapping and
cultivating the intermediary landscape of the digital cultural industry in
Africa. In recognition of her remarkable contributions, Bristow was honoured
with the National Science and Technology Forum Award for Sustainable
Development in the Creative Industries in 2021, reflecting her pivotal role in co-founding
and nurturing the Fak’ugesi Festival.
Fazel Dolley is a distinguished
professional currently serving as the Senior Director of Finance and Operations
in Africa for Paramount. With an illustrious career spanning two decades, he has
held prominent finance roles across a diverse range of industries, including
IT, insurance, communications, broadcasting and music. Dolley takes great pride
in his roots and in his leisure time, he displays unwavering support for his
beloved Liverpool FC. One of his notable attributes is his wicked sense of
humour, which adds a delightful and distinctive touch to his interactions.
Guided by the personal motto of "Work Hard and Play Hard," Dolley
exemplifies a strong work ethic and a balanced approach to life.
(Right: Mpumi Mazibuko)
Mpumelelo "Mpumi" Mazibuko is an
accomplished legal professional with a diverse educational background. He
embarked on his legal career at DM Kisch Inc, where he completed his articles
of clerkship in 2005, focusing on intellectual property and commercial
litigation matters. He then joined the corporate law firm Webber Wentzel Bowens
as an associate. In 2008, he joined Spoor & Fisher, specialising in general
trademark matters, copyright law, unlawful competition and commercial litigation
related to intellectual property. In recognition of his expertise, Mazibuko was
seconded to the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a legal manager for the Rights
Protection Programme. During this period, he worked both in South Africa and
Switzerland. Upon his return to Spoor & Fisher, he continued his legal
practice as a Senior Associate, focusing on trademark and copyright litigation
and the commercialisation of intellectual property. In 2012, he joined
Coca-Cola Africa (Pty) Ltd as the Operations Legal Counsel. Presently, he
serves as the General Counsel for the Africa Operating Unit, based in the
Johannesburg, South Africa office.
Pearl Munonde boasts a strong and
comprehensive background in production, with a career beginning in 1997. Her
remarkable achievements as a SAFTA-nominated Producer and Line Producer are
evident through the multitude of hours she has dedicated to creating
award-winning content for networks such as SABC, Mzansi Magic and ETV.
Recognised for her industry knowledge, Munonde has served on the production and
development advisory panel of the National Film and Video Foundation and as a
jury member for the prestigious South African Film and Television Awards.
Currently, she holds positions on the Board of Sisters Working in Film and
Television (SWIFT) and is currently the Chairperson of the South African Screen
Federation (SASFED). Passionate about nurturing emerging female filmmakers, she
has dedicated over a decade to training and mentoring, contributing to the
growth of a talented pool of production professionals. As the founder of
NwaChasiya Media, a production company established in 2016, she continues to
make a significant impact in the industry.
Neiloe Whitehead gained valuable experience
in the production and development department of the National Film and Video
Foundation. As a manager, she led the documentary programme, overseeing TV
formats, and steering the development of both fiction and non-fiction content.
Whitehead’s expertise extends to collaborating with diverse funds, film
festivals and television broadcasters on a local and international scale. She
participated in the Eurodoc International Programme in 2011 and sits on various
local funding panels as a story expert. Recently, Whitehead successfully
completed the 2022 Realness/Netflix lab for development executives. Her writing
credits include notable projects like Signal High, Splintered Pieces and
three seasons of uBettina Wethu, the South African adaptation of Ugly
Betty. Whitehead is a co-owner of Black Seed Film Hub, a production company
that is a 100% led by black women, and provides an innovative digital marketing
training programme. She continues to make significant contributions to the
industry as an independent writer, story consultant and script editor.
Co-chairs
(Left: Neil Brandt)
Neil Brandt is an award-winning filmmaker
and producer, known for his versatility across genres and cultures. As a
founding partner of Storyscope, a leading film production company in Johannesburg,
Brandt is dedicated to amplifying authentic African voices and pushing
boundaries in storytelling. With an educational background in Economics and
International Law from the University of Cape Town, Brandt has produced in
challenging territories across Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. His
non-fiction works have received international recognition, airing on channels
such as Amazon, Netflix, Al Jazeera, ARTE, VPRO, Sundance Channel, BBC, PBS,
ZDF, NHK, CGTN, and more. Brandt was the lead producer on Netflix’s 2022 hit
true-crime series, Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star. Brandt has also
contributed to the South African film industry as an executive producer of
popular local drama series like Hustle (eTV), Keeping Score
(SABC1) and Emoyeni (SABC1). His 2020 documentary, Influence (Arte),
captivated audiences with its exploration of the dark side of political
manipulation and the commodification of democracy. The film competed at the
Sundance Film Festival in 2020 and has received critical acclaim at global film
festivals. In addition to his creative pursuits, Brandt actively contributes to
the film industry through his involvement on the boards of the Independent
Producers Organisation (IPO) and the Documentary Filmmakers Association (DFA),
demonstrating his commitment to fostering growth and excellence in filmmaking.
He is a founding partner of Moon Valley Studios in Johannesburg and is on the
International Emmy’s annual juror panel for global documentary.
Maganthrie Pillay has left an indelible
mark across various creative realms, including theatre, television, film and
training initiatives. As the founder of Masala Film Works, she and her partner
Dingi Ntuli have successfully produced and distributed projects in the USA, South
Africa and the UK. Notably, Pillay made history as the first black woman to
direct a feature film in South Africa with her acclaimed work 34 South (2005),
which premiered at the Pan-African Film Festival in Los Angeles. With an
impressive portfolio of over 40 documentaries, Pillay is a dedicated advocate
for African content and women's stories, championing their representation even
in challenging times. She has been involved with organisations such as WEAVE,
Ink @ Boiling Point and the Independent Producers Organisation, among others.
Currently serving as the Co-Chair of the Independent Black Filmmakers
Collective, Pillay continues to advance the cause of underrepresented voices
and remains a powerful force in the industry.
The collective knowledge and leadership of
the new Board of Directors will undoubtedly strengthen the DFMI’s ability to
innovate, adapt to industry trends and provide resources and opportunities for
filmmakers and industry professionals alike. As the DFMI enters this exciting
new chapter, it reaffirms its dedication to championing African film narratives
and supporting its industry professionals. With the support and guidance of the
esteemed Board, the institution is poised to continue its legacy of excellence.
The Durban FilmMart Institute receives
principal funding from the Durban Film Office and the eThekwini Municipality.
The DFM 2023 event is kindly supported by
DW Akademie, Ford Foundation, NEFTI, National Film and Video Foundation,
Netflix, Viu, Amazon, Film and Publication Board, KZNFilm , KZN Convention
Bureau, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ),
Industrial Development Corporation, International Emerging Film Talent
Association, Sheer Publishing, French
Institute in South Africa, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition,
Namibia Film Commission, Wesgro, CC&A, Eastern Cape Development
Corperation, Panavision / Panalux, Gauteng Film Commission, Africa No Filter,
Sinema Agency, Abaka Amara Productions and Trans-Saharan Artistic Mobility Fund.
Programme partners include Durban
International Film Festival, African Real Collective, Animation SA, Berlinale
Talents, British Council, Cinemart, Digital Lab Africa, Documentary Filmmakers
Association, DOK.fest München, Dok Leipzig, FIDA DOC, Guangzhou International Documentary
Film Festival, Hot Docs-Blue Ice Docs Fund, International Documentary
Association, International Documentary Festival Amsterdam, Independent Black
Filmmakers Collective, Independent Producers Organisation, Locations Africa, Miradas
Doc, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Produire au Sud, Red Sea
Fund, Sheffield Documentary Film
Festival, Sørfund, Scpine, SWIFT, TikTok, The Whickers, Trace Studios, TRT
Sinema, and Writers Guild of South Africa
For further questions email:
info@durbanfilmmart.com
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