Durban Film Office

FAQ

About the Durban FilmMart

What is the Durban FilmMart?

The Durban FilmMart (DFM) is a co-production and finance market and is a joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), with aims to reach out to key players in the film sectors, both national and international, to facilitate opportunities for African filmmakers to tap into various sources of funding, encourage co-production, and introduce entry level filmmakers to the industry.

What is the difference between the Durban International Film Festival and the Durban Film Mart?

The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) is an annual film festival that takes place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. It is the oldest (34rd edition in 2013) and largest film festival in Southern Africa and presents over 250 screenings celebrating the best in South African, African and international cinema. Most of the screenings are either African or South African premieres. The festival also offers filmmaker workshops, industry seminars, discussion forums, and outreach activities that include screenings in township areas where cinemas are non-existent, and much more including Talent Campus Durban and a co-production market.

The Durban FilmMart (DFM) is a four day co-production market, where national and international film producers, buyers, sales agents, broadcasters and film financiers meet one-on-one with potential co-producers from around Africa, to discuss an array of pre-selected film projects. The programme will feature high-profile speakers, lead experts and industry professionals. Networking events, media visits and sightseeing events are also held in conjunction with the four day workshop and seminar programme.

What is the Finance Forum?

A four day closed forum where African filmmakers selected by an international ‘DFM project reader committee’ engage in a two-day pitching and packaging training programme prior to the one-on-one meetings with investors where filmmakers pitch their projects.

What is a DFM Master Class?

A four day forum for professional filmmakers where master classes and seminars on critical issues in film are covered. A delegate fee is applicable.

What is Africa In Focus?

A four day series of workshops and seminars for entry level filmmakers, run by the Durban International Film Festival, with a special focus on the development of African content.

When is the Durban FilmMart?

The 4th Durban Filmart will be 19-22 July 2013- during the first four days of the Durban International Film Festival (18-28 July 2013).

Where is the Durban FilmMart held?

The DFM will take place in Durban, South Africa, Blue Waters Hotel.

What are the operational hours of the DFM 2013?

The Durban FilmMart begins at 09h00 every morning and ends at 17h30 in the evening, followed by the DFM networking functions.

How do I get from one venue to another during the DFM?

There is a DFM Shuttle Service available to take you from the DFM venue to the venues allocated to the Durban International Film Festival. Up-to-date details will be available before the DFM.

Where and when can DFM participants pick up festival tickets?

DFM participants with a DFM registration tag can visit the DIFF management office, which be allocated in the DFM venue.

Where can I book tickets for the DIFF screenings?

You can book your tickets by contacting the Durban International Film Festival by calling, +2731 260 2506 or kindly send an email to, diff@ukzn.ac.za

Submitting Projects to the DFM

Who is eligible to submit projects into the DFM?

The following are eligible to submit:

Projects in which either the producer, director or writer is an African citizen. Proof of African citizenship or birth must be provided through a certified copy of a valid African passport/ birth certificate;
Africans living in the Diaspora, but who still have African citizenship or have proof of birth in Africa;
Projects with a producer attached.

NB: Non-African industry professionals - producers, directors and writers - with projects looking for African partners can apply to be a Producers’ Forum delegate. Admission to the Producers’ Forum is by registration and payment of a registration fee. Delegates of the Producers’ Forum may have the opportunity to pitch at the Africa in Focus Open Pitching session.

When is the deadline for submissions?

Submission Deadline: 15 February 2013. All posted and couriered materials and online applications must be in the Durban FilmMart Office by 16h00 15 February 2013.

No late or incomplete submissions will be considered.

How do I submit my project?

Projects can be entered through the online application form;
Additional information/material must be mailed to:
Durban FilmMart Project Entry 2013
Durban Film Office
11th Floor Rennies House
41 Margaret Mncadi Ave.
Durban
South Africa
4001

What are the submission requirements?

All submissions must be made in English.
Full scripts brought to the Durban FilmMart in July 2013 may be in the original language of project.
- Fiction features with theatrical potential (with a minimum of 70 minutes).
- Animation features with theatrical potential (with a minimum of 70 minutes).
- Documentaries (with a minimum of 48 minutes).
- Projects suitable for international co-production.
- Productions aimed at Cinema and/or Television or new media formats.
- Projects in all stages of production, from scripts to rough cut.
- Projects with a good chance of being realised.
- Projects with a potential for the international market.
- Projects which already have a producer.
- Projects for which a complete screenplay will be available during the Durban FilmMart.
Projects with advantage:
- Projects that can demonstrate finance already committed.
- Projects in an advanced state of collaboration with a director/writer.
What to submit:
- Synopsis (1-2 pages),
- Treatment (8-10 pages),
- Director’s Statement of Intent,
- Director’s Profile,
- 6 copies of the Director’s Showreel,
- Producer’s Profile,
- Company Profile,
- 400 word synopsis for publication,
- 200 word director’s statement for publication,
- 400 word producer’s profile for publication,
- 200 word company profile for publication,
- Certified copy of a valid African passport or African birth certificate,
- Finance plan,
- Budget outline,
- Letters of financial/other support,
- Two (2) production stills (for works in progress),
- 6 copies of the rough-cut of project (for works in progress),
- High resolution picture of director (colour, minimum 300 dpi x 4.4 cm),
- High resolution picture of producer (colour, minimum 300 dpi x 4.4 cm),
- Signed letter accepting terms and conditions,
Conditions for submissions
- No entry fee for applications.
- At least one representative of selected projects must be present at Durban FilmMart.
- None of the submitted materials will be returned to sender.
- No late or incomplete submissions will be considered.
- Upon completion, the credits must mention that the project was presented at the Durban FilmMart.

What kind of projects can be submitted?

Feature length Fiction, Animation and Documentary projects can apply.

Are projects without finance eligible?

Yes, projects without finance are eligible. However, the project will be advantaged if it can demonstrate funds already committed to the project.

I do not have a producer attached to my project. Can I still submit?

No, you may only submit if you have a producer attached.

Can I apply with more than one project?

Yes, you can. However, please note that should both projects be short listed, only one (1) project will be considered for the Finance Forum.

I had submitted my project for the previous DFM, but it was not selected. Can I submit again?

Yes.

I have completed the application process. When can I expect to hear from you regarding the status of my entry?

May 2013

What is required of me upon selection?

If your application is selected, the Durban FilmMart requires the following:

A single representative must be present during the entire Durban FilmMart (travel and accommodation for one person will be provided).
Once the project is completed, the credits must mention that the project was presented at the Durban FilmMart.

What if my project is not selected?

You can still attend the Durban FilmMart as Producers’ Forum delegate. Admission to the Producers’ Forum is by registration and payment of a registration fee. Please note that the selection of projects for DFM is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

DFM Delegate registration opens from April -July 2013.

Can I still attend the Finance Forum if my project was not selected?

No, admittance to the Finance Forum is by invitation to selected projects only.

Can I still attend DFM if I don’t have a project to enter?

Yes. You can register as a Producers’ Forum delegate with the payment of a registration fee. Registration opens from April - July 2013.

My project has been selected for the Finance Forum, what will happen once I arrive at the market?

You will:

Register at the DFM registration desk,
Collect your delegate name tag,
Collect a DFM delegate bag with your information pack (DFM programme, schedules of the networking functions, DFM project dossier, industry manual etc )
Collect your meeting schedules for one-on-one meetings with pitching and packaging experts and potential investors detailing times and venues,
Collect your invitation to the opening night of the Durban International Film Festival (18 July)

What are the benefits of having my project selected at the DFM?

You have an opportunity to pitch your project to international financiers, which take place during a closed pitching forum in the form of one-to-one meetings:

Each financier in your schedule will meet with you for a period of 30 minutes.

You will also have the opportunity to consult with international experts. Your consultancy meetings will be:

Allocated to one venue.
Scheduled for 1 - 1.5 hours.

Your schedules will be furnished with a slot for a 30 minute jury meeting in the event of a DFM award.

Can I make a presentation during the one-to-one meetings?

You are welcome to make a presentation on your laptop. The duration of your presentation must be kept within the allocated time of all meetings, which are 20 minutes for documentaries and 30 minutes for feature films. Note that the documentary projects will also pitch during DOC Circle pitch day.

Delegate Registration

Who is eligible to register as a delegate for the Durban FilmMart?

The Durban FilmMart is open for registrations to the local and international film industry.

What do I get if I register as a delegate?

As a registered delegate, you will have access to the four (4) day DFM programme including the Master Classes, Africa In Focus, DFM Opening and Closing night dinners, nightly networking events, daily lunches and screenings at the Durban International Film Festival (tickets subject to availability.

How do I register as a delegate?

On the registration page: here

Step 1: Click on the link provided Step 2: Complete the application form and ‘submit’ Step 3: Pay for registration

How do I pay for my delegate registration?

An online payment system will be made available on our website closer to the time of registrations.

You will have the options of paying via an online credit card payment system or an electronic transfer system.

When does delegate registration open?

Delegate registration opens in April 2013.

When is the deadline to register for delegate registration?

Early Bird registration closes on the 1st July 2013 and late registration closes on the 18th July 2013.

What is the fee for Early Bird registration?

The fee for Early Bird registration is 1250 ZAR.

What is the fee for late registration?

The fee for late registration is 1750 ZAR.

Are there any penalties imposed for late registration?

Delegates who register late will not be included in the DFM Industry Manual.

I have made a mistake on my delegate registration form. What should I do?

Please do not start a new submission. Send corrections to: info@durbanfilmmart.com

I have successfully registered as a delegate, what will happen once I arrive at the market?

You will:

Register at the DFM registration desk,
Collect your delegate name tag,
Collect a DFM delegate bag with your information pack (DFM programme, schedules of the networking functions, DFM project dossier, industry manual etc )
Collect your invitation to the opening night of the Durban International Film Festival (18 July 2013).

Media Registration

When does media registration open?

Media registration opens on 6th June 2013.

How do I get accreditation to attend the DFM as media?

On the registration page: Here

Step 1: Click on the ‘Media Registration’ link Step 2: Complete the application form Step 3: ‘Submit’

Please note: Submission of an application does not guarantee media accreditation. Accreditation to the media will be granted at the sole discretion of the DFM and is final; no correspondence will be entered into. Accreditation is not transferable.