
-- --
Submissions for documentary and feature film projects in development for the Durban FilmMart (DFM) close on 31 January 2020. The organisers are making a special call-out to documentary filmmakers who have projects to submit.
We invite documentary filmmakers to submit their projects no matter how early in its development it is, so long as it has a producer and director attached to it, says Don Edkins well-known documentary filmmaker and the DFM's documentary film mentor. The DFM is a brilliant way in which filmmakers are able to galvanize interest in their ideas, get people excited about being involved or helping them develop the project. It may be that the project could then be taken to its next level by being invited to another market for further development, or find financing through the pitches. The possibilities are endless.
The DFM, which takes place from 17 to 20 July 2020, will host 10 documentary and 10 feature projects at its co-production and finance forum. The producer, director or writer on the project must be an African citizen and can either be living on the continent or in the Diaspora.
Documentary film has over the last years really come into its own, enthuses Edkins. We see how the genre has evolved from its more information-driven newsreel-style to a narrative or story-driven' approach, he says. It makes the film genre so much more accessible for its audience, drawing them in and engaging them, yet still making strong statements or creating its requisite impact.
Countless film projects have gone from a simple concept and idea at the Durban FilmMart to the big screen over the 11 years.
Some examples include the 2011 project Buddha in Africa directed by Nicole Schafer (SA) which premiered at HotDocs 2019, and had its SA premiere at Encounters and won Best SA Documentary at DIFF making it eligible for consideration for an Oscar nomination. 2014 projects which made it to the big screen include Kula a Memory in 3 Acts directed by Inadelso Cossa (Mozambique), The Colonel's Stray Dogs directed by Khali Shamis (SA), The Sound of Masks directed by Sara Gouveia (SA/Mozambique), and Alison directed by Uga Carlini (SA). The 2015 alumni projects which were completed include Amal directed by Mohamed Siam (Egypt), Not in my Neighbourhood directed by Kurt Orderson (SA), and The Giant is Falling (working title After Marikana) directed by Rehad Desai (SA) which had its international premiere at IDFA. The 2016 project The Letter directed by Maia von Lekow and Chris King (Kenya) premiered at IDFA in 2019 and also from that year, Working Womxn directed by Shanelle Jewnarain (SA) is in production.
There are plenty more examples of films that have pushed through from their initial concepts, into production and then onto distribution and or screening, says Edkins. The documentary film community in Africa is still small and working with the DFM we try to find new talent constantly and work with the industry to hold space for the documentary. I know there are highly creative and talented people out there who have brilliant ideas, and I would like to encourage them to submit these for consideration for this year's edition.
To submit a project, click here.
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Pinterest
-- --
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
03/02/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/02/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/02/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/02/2026
Berklee Alumni Recognized at the 2026 Grammy Awards Winners took home trophies in nine categories, including Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album and Songwriter o...
02/02/2026
SBS's High-Flying Drama The Airport Chaplain casts Hugo Weaving alongside Th...
02/02/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), is calling for applications from experienced Sou...
02/02/2026
Photo Credit: NASA. Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion Spacecraft rollou...
02/02/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/02/2026
Hewshott, an industry leading global AV, IT, Theatre, and Acoustics consultancy firm has completed a global transition with current UK Managing Director, Daniel...
02/02/2026
Public Media Management (PMM) today announced LTN as the technology partner for PMM Cloud, its new managed, cloud-based master control solution purpose-built fo...
02/02/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/02/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/02/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/02/2026
XR, the leading platform powering advertising operations, today announced the acquisition of Telly Traffic, a UK-based business affairs specialist with nearly t...
02/02/2026
Big Blue Marble, a provider of broadcast-grade, cloud-native video solutions for broadcasters, service providers, and content owners, has become a launch partne...
02/02/2026
February 2 2026, 20:30 (PST) Mahindra launches XUV 7XO as Indias first vehicle ...
02/02/2026
Teaser available to view HERE
Damien Molony as Jim Bergerac
Ahead of the hotly anticipated return of Bergerac to U and U&DRAMA in the Spring, a teaser has bee...
02/02/2026
Rohde & Schwarz reshapes mid-range market with new 44 GHz FPL spectrum analyzer ...
02/02/2026
Back to All News
Cesc Gays New Film Premieres March 27 on Netflix
Entertainment
02 February 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Download the first i...
02/02/2026
In addition to DPA Microphones, the company will also be acquiring Wisycom and Austrian Audio. The acquisition is now being filed for regulatory approval and sh...
02/02/2026
Arvato Systems launches a flexible and standardized billing solution
New SAP S/4HANA Utilities master system combines standardization, economies of scale, and...
31/01/2026
Spotify's annual Best New Artist celebration returned to Los Angeles last ni...
31/01/2026
The Navy's Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 launch a Long Range Attack Missile from an AH-1Z off coast of Virginia in late 2025. This demonstration ...
31/01/2026
DigitalGlue, creator of the award-winning creative.space Platform, has announced the release of creative.space OS 3.0.5, the latest software update within the ...
31/01/2026
ES Broadcast Hire, the long-established hire arm of ES Media Group, has spent the last few months busily preparing and sending out high-quality equipment for a ...
31/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
31/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
31/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
31/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Top L-R: The Friend's House is Here, Josephine, The Lake, Bedford Park, Who Killed Alex Odeh?
Second Row L-R: Take Me Home, American Pachuco: The Legend of...
30/01/2026
Spotify, Haziran ay sonunda kadar stanbul'da yeni bir ofis a aca n ve T rkiye pazar n y netmek zere yeni bir atama ger ekle tirdi ini duyurdu. Bu kaps...
30/01/2026
The Artemis II wet dress rehearsal will simulate the launch countdown, fully loading fuel and verifying systems ahead of the first SLS and Orion crewed flight....
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Grass Valley , the leading technology provider for live production solutions, and NETGEAR Inc. (NASDAQ: NTGR), a global leader in network solutions, today anno...
30/01/2026
tvONE, a leading video processor, signal distribution technology and media server developer, announces the expansion of Amit Singh's role to Regional Sales ...
30/01/2026
With a career that spans four decades across television, film and post-production, Freelance Sound Designer and Post-production Sound Mixer Mike Aiton has built...
30/01/2026
DPA Microphones will feature its new, fully integrated wireless microphone ecosystem, designed to let audio professionals work faster, cleaner and with total co...
30/01/2026
As the Middle East continues to accelerate investment in next-generation media, broadcast, and immersive content technologies, Ventum Tech today announced a str...
30/01/2026
Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC), a Nikon company and global leader in robotic camera systems, today announced its participation at Integrated Systems Europe ...
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/01/2026
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Hosts the National Opera Association's 2026 C...
30/01/2026
Student Spotlight: Sriram Narayanan The classical pianist shares his experience growing up with a language disability and finding his voice through music.
Ja...