Delegate registration for the Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s premier film finance and co-production
forum is now open.
Now in its 6th edition, the DFM, which takes place from July 17 to 20, is a joint project of Durban Film Office, the City’s industry development unit, and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) as an endeavour to raise the visibility of African cinema, stimulate production on the continent, and facilitate project collaboration between African filmmakers. â€œThe overall objective of the FilmMart is to support, facilitate and develop the growth of African film content and create viable opportunities for business within the sector to flourish.” says Durban Film Office’s Toni Monty. “The Mart, promises
delegates access to influential experts, broadcasters and financiers in the film industry and creates a space for industry professionals to forge strategic relationships.”
DFM is presented in three strategic pillars: the Finance Forum, Master Classes and Africa in Focus â€" a programme of workshops, and also offers a series of networking and social sessions with likeminded industry representatives.
Delegates have access to Master classes held with leading industry experts in the areas of concept development, project packaging, co-production development, new media, finance, marketing, distribution, and other themes. This year’s Master Class in Film Packaging and Finance, is entitled New Film-Making Strategies; from South Africa to Pan-Africa and towards the Global Market. Sponsored by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission (KZNFC), the master class will be presented by leading international film and creative industry specialist and published writer Angus Finney. Finney, comes to the Mart having actively been
involved as executive producer on many films including  Neil Armfield’s Candy with Heath Ledger, Roger Michell’s The Mother with Anne Reid and Peter Vaughan and Rose Troche’s The Safety of Objects with Glenn Close, and others. â€œWe are really pleased to be able to offer the delegates an opportunity to interact with and learn from someone of the calibre of Finney,” says Vuyo Sokupa, NFVF’s Head of production and Development. “Finney comes with years of academic and field experience in film packaging and finance, the cornerstone of developing a film project, and we believe his session will
be incredibly valuable to those attending.”  â€œHaving such hands on experience adds real value to the experience of the delegates at the DFM, as they will be able to really come to grips with issues involving financing and packaging their projects for wider distribution,” elaborates Jackie Motsepe, Chief Operating Officer of KZNFC. 


For registration or for more information view the delegate registration process online at the official website:  www.durbanfilmmart.com.