Nuts and bolts of filmmaking to be explored in depth at Durban forum

DELEGATE registration for the Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s premier film finance and co-production forum, is now open.

Now in its sixth edition, the DFM, which takes place from July 17 to July 20, is a joint project of the Durban Film Office, the city’s industry development unit and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF).

It aims to raise the visibility of African cinema, stimulate production on the continent and facilitate project collaboration between African film-makers.

Durban Film Office’s Toni Monty told The Witness: “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 — a programme of workshops — and also offers a series of networking and social sessions with like-minded 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, titled New Film-Making Strategies; from South Africa to Pan-Africa and towards the Global Market, will be presented by leading international film and creative-industry specialist and published writer Angus Finney.

Finney has 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.

Partners and supporters of the Durban FilmMart 2015 that will be represented in Durban include the International Film Festival Rotterdam’s (IFFR) CineMart, the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), the Berlinale Film Festival, HotDocs — Blue Ice Documentary Film Fund, New Cinema Network Rome, Produire au Sud, Restless Talent Management, French Embassy South Africa, Afrinolly, NFVF, KZNFC, VideoVision Entertainment, the Goethe Institute, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, the City of Durban and many others.

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

— Arts Editor