Submit Your Press Release
Press Office
SA’s First Western Five Fingers For Marseilles in cinemas from April 6, 2018
Apr 9 2018 12:00AM
2018 is turning out to be an exciting year for South African film. The 2014 Durban FilmMart project, ‘Five Fingers for Marseilles’, a western that tells the story of a group of young men (the ‘Five Fingers’) who stand up to brutal police oppression in Marseilles, a town in the rugged badlands of the Eastern Cape opens at cinemas nationwide on 6 April. The film has already lit up the global festival circuit and has earned excellent reviews.
Read Full Article
DFM Alumni Project - Inxeba (The Wound) Wins 6 SAFTA's
Apr 9 2018 12:00AM
The 2014 Durban FilmMart project – the controversial critically-acclaimed film Inxeba (The Wound) swept up the awards at the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) on 22 and 24 March at Sun City, winning all the key nods. The film took home six Golden Horns in the following categories: Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Actor (Nakhane) and Best Supporting Actor (Bongile Mantsai).
Read Full Article
Durban and SA Film Industry Presence at the European Film Market and Berlinale International Film Festival
Apr 9 2018 12:00AM
Following excellent networking and strategic meetings at the Berlin International Film Festival, and European Film Market, and observing the focus around this year’s Academy Awards where much was said about the #MeToo campaign, South African filmmakers can take a bow in being in the forefront of shifting the consciousness of the local industry, ahead of their global peers.
Read Full Article
Realness Announces Award Winners and New Partners with Toronto International Film Festival
Feb 5 2018 12:00AM
Realness Residency is a Pan-African screenwriting initiative. It is seeking diversity in contemporary African perspectives, encouraging risk-taking, originality and authenticity. This ethos has been demonstrated once more by the success of alumnus Luck Razanajaona (Madagascar) at CineMart in Rotterdam where his Realness project Disco Afrika won the Wouter Barendrecht Award of €5,000 given to a director under 35-years-old last night.
Read Full Article
Urucu calls for Submissions to Realness Scriptwriters Residency, on the back of a Success Streak
Nov 1 2017 3:00PM
The Realness Scriptwriters’ Residency programme which seeks to nurture the best African screenwriting talent across the world, opens its submissions today (November 1, 2017)
Read Full Article
Durban FilmMart calls out for 2018 Projects
Oct 20 2017 9:00AM
Project submissions for the 2018 Durban FilmMart (DFM) which takes place during the Durban International Film Festival , South Africa (19-29 July) open on 20 October, 2017.
Read Full Article
Durban International Film Festival Announces Award Winners for 2017
Jul 24 2017 12:00AM
The Durban International Film Festival announced its award-winners tonight (Saturday 22 July) at the 38th DIFF Awards ceremony, which took place at the Playhouse. The Minister in the Presidency, Honourable Minister Jeff Radebe, the Deputy Mayor of eThekwini, Councillor Fawzia Peer and Dr. Mbongeni Ngema, were among some of the VIPs who attended the prestigious event.
Read Full Article
INXEBA (The Wound) SCOOPS BOTH BEST DIRECTOR & BEST ACTOR AWARDS AT THE DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (DIFF)
Jul 22 2017 12:00AM
‘Inxeba’ will continue to travel around the world, having been sold to 19 countries for theatrical release thus far, and will be distributed in South Africa by Indigenous Film Distribution. It will open nationwide on 2 February 2018.
Read Full Article
Durban FilmMart Awards 2017
Jul 18 2017 12:00AM
The Durban FilmMart (DFM), the industry development programme of the eThekwini Municipality’s Durban Film Office and Durban International Film Festival (Centre for Creative Arts, UKZN) ended on a high note with an awards ceremony at the Tsogo Maharani Hotel in Durban, South Africa on Monday, July 17.
Read Full Article
Canada and South Africa celebrate 20 years of film and TV co-production at DFM and DIFF 2017
Jul 11 2017 12:00AM
July 6, 2017 – In 1997, Canada and South Africa signed an Audiovisual Co-production Treaty which would pave the way for collaboration between Canadian and South African film and television productions. This was the first ever co-production treaty signed by South Africa and remained the only one until 2003. To celebrate this important milestone, Canada will be a country of focus at the Durban FilmMart (DFM) and at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF).
Read Full Article
Durban FilmMart Hosts Leading Film Executive Tilane Jones of ARRAY NOW
Jul 10 2017 12:00AM
One of the key figures attending the Durban FilmMart this year, Tilane Jones is the executive director of ARRAY, the film distribution collaborative founded by Oscar-winner Ava DuVernay which is focused on women filmmakers and filmmakers of colour.
Read Full Article
VIDEOVISION ENTERTAINMENT TO PREMIERE FOUR FILMS AT THE 38TH DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Jul 10 2017 12:00AM
Videovision Entertainment’s Director of Acquisition and Distribution Sanjeev Singh, announced today that the company will premiere four films, at the 38th Durban International Film Festival which runs from 13 to 23 July. Leading the line-up is the Opening Night film, SERPENT produced by Enigma Films, Plastic Soldiers, and Videovision Entertainment, followed by BELOW HER MOUTH, THE KILLING FLOOR and VICEROY’S HOUSE.
Read Full Article
SOUTH AFRICA’S ‘INXEBA’ BAGS A STRING OF AWARDS AHEAD OF THE DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Jul 7 2017 12:00AM
‘Inxeba’ will be screened at 6pm on Friday, July 14 at The Playhouse, 8pm on Tuesday, July 18 at Sterkinekor Gateway, 2.30pm on Saturday, July 22 at Sterkinekor Gateway.
Read Full Article
CineFAM SOUTH AFRICA SHORT FILM CHALLENGE AT DIFF AND DFM
Jul 6 2017 12:00AM
SWIFT will present a preparatory workshop on no-budget filmmaking at the Durban FilmMart on Monday, July 17 from 12:30pm to 2pm at the Tsogo Sun Maharani Hotel. This workshop will provide participants with useful tools for making a short film with constraints in time, budget and other resources. This is a free workshop and no bookings are necessary.
Read Full Article
2017 REALNESS AFRICAN SCREENWRITER’S RESIDENTS HEAD TO DURBAN
Jul 5 2017 12:00AM
The 2017 Realness Residency programme is now in its final stage as the second cohort of participants head to Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), where they will present their projects at the Durban FilmMart, to the industry under the mentorship of script consultant Selina Ukwuoma.
Read Full Article
2017 REALNESS AFRICAN SCREENWRITER’S RESIDENTS HEAD TO DURBAN
Jul 5 2017 12:00AM
The 2017 Realness Residency programme is now in its final stage as the second cohort of participants head to Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), where they will present their projects at the Durban FilmMart, to the industry under the mentorship of script consultant Selina Ukwuoma.
Read Full Article
THE DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL BRINGS GERMANY TO SOUTH AFRICA
Jun 27 2017 12:00AM
Curated by Alex Moussa Sawadogo, the variety of the films on the lineup is set to keep audiences enthralled. Films such as The People vs Fritz Bauer (which relates to German history after the WWII and the role of the attorney of law Fritz Bauer in confronting the state with its political shortcomings), Paula (which recounts the journey of a well-known early 20th century painter, who discovered her artistic freedom in a more traditional Germany), Goodbye Berlin (a depiction of how the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany merged into one state, taking two young children as the protagonists of a road movie through former East Germany) and Greetings FromFukushima (which breaks the common stereotypes that surround Germans) will leave audiences with a better understanding of German history, culture and people.
Read Full Article
Applications for the Hot Docs-Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund are now OPEN!
Jun 23 2017 12:00AM
The Fund offers valuable resources to support professional development. Each year, up to five funded projects are invited to participate in a year-long mentorship program with dedicated international mentors, as well as receiving funding.
Read Full Article
Final Durban International Film Festival 2017 programme released today
Jun 19 2017 12:00AM
At a media briefing earlier today at Maharani Hotel, recently appointed Festival Manager, Chipo Zhou, was thrilled to introduce stakeholders to the programme including screenings across the city and surrounding townships, the training workshops, and opening and closing films for the fest.
Read Full Article
Durban FilmMart - Offering the African Film Industry Opportunities to Connect and Develop
Jun 19 2017 12:00AM
With the thematic focus of “Women Led Film - Disrupting the Status Quo”, the DFM and DIFF, together with the Durban Film Office, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the lobby and advocacy organization Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), and international partner CaribbeanTales Media Group, will be focusing on the role of women in the industry. The programme will present a number of workshops, roundtables and panel discussions with leading women in film.
Read Full Article
Exciting Lineup of Speakers for DFM 2017
Jun 13 2017 12:00AM
A diverse and insightful industry programme has been scheduled for this year’s DFM, which aims to stimulate collaboration between African filmmakers and international producers and financiers. Key speakers include film distributor Tilane Jones, audience development specialist Moikgantsi Kgama, film executive Charles Hopkins, writer-director Shmerah Passchier, virtual reality expert Ingrid Kopp
Read Full Article
Virtual Reality Showcase at DFM 2017
Jun 5 2017 12:00AM
An exploration of the possibilities of Virtual Reality (VR) will be one of the highlights of the 8th Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s premier film finance and co-production forum, which takes place at the Tsogo Sun Elangeni Hotel from July 14 to 17 during the Durban International Film Festival.
Read Full Article
REALNESS AFRICAN SCREENWRITER’S RESIDENCY 2017 SELECTION ANNOUNCED AT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL.
Jun 1 2017 12:00AM
Realness 2017 begins on 3 June when the participants begin their residency at the Nirox Foundation in the Cradle of Humankind. They will be mentored by script consultant Nadja Dumouchel for their first week and will then enjoy 4 weeks of solid writing. In July they will attend the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) where they will present their projects to the industry under the mentorship of Selina Ukwuoma at the Durban FilmMart.
Read Full Article
Jumpstart – Pitching programme for emerging South African filmmakers at Durban FilmMart
May 24 2017 12:00AM
Interested filmmakers are invited to apply for this programme. Submissions are now open and will close at5pm on June 16, 2017.
Read Full Article
CaribbeanTales and Durban FilmMart Join Forces to Support African Women Filmmakers
May 17 2017 4:00PM
The winner will qualify to participate in the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTI), in Toronto, Canada. CTI is a year-round development and production hub for Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora Producers that aims to create strong, compelling and sustainable content for the global market.
Read Full Article
Women Led Film – Disrupting the Status Quo
May 10 2017 12:00AM
Calling for an inclusive dialogue on the role of women, the eThekwini Municipality’s film industry arm - the Durban Film Office, the Durban International Film Festival, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the lobby and advocacy organization Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), and international partner CaribbeanTales Media Group, are all providing input into the Women Led Film - Disrupting the Status Quo programme within this year’s DFM which takes place from July 14 -17 in Durban.
Read Full Article
Announcement of DIFF Manager
Apr 17 2017 12:00AM
One of Africa’s leading and long running film festivals – the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) – proudly announces the newly-appointed DIFF Manager. It is with great pleasure that we announce Ms. Chipo Zhou who assumed this permanent position on 1 April 2017.
Read Full Article
8th Durban FilmMart announces Official Project Selection for 2017 edition
May 8 2017 12:00PM
A record 22 fiction feature films and documentaries projects in development from around Africa have been selected for the 8th edition of the Durban FilmMart (DFM) which takes place in Durban, South Africa from July 14 to 17.
Read Full Article
Update on 2014 DFM Project Alison the movie
May 5 2017 12:00AM
After recently being nominated for Best Documentary at this year’s Silwerskermfees 2016, Alison the movie has since been bestowed the top honour of INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN PLATINUM AWARD WINNER for best documentary at this year’s World Humanitarian Film Awards.
Read Full Article
South African film ‘Inxeba’ (The Wound) Hits the Big Screen in France
May 5 2017 12:00AM
The film which was a 2014 Durban FilmMart project, was released on 41 screens in France, including six in Paris, seven in Lyon, seven in Marseille and seven in Bordeaux. The film stars Nakhane Toure as Xolani, a lonely factory worker, who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. When Kwanda (Niza Jay Ncoyini), a defiant initiate from the city, discovers his secret, Xolani's entire existence begins to unravel.
Read Full Article
Realness Pan African Screenwriters’ Residency - update on progress
Apr 25 2017 12:00AM
After attending Durban FilmMart (DFM) as Durban Talents in 2016, the Realness residents worked at Nirox in the Cradle of Humankind for 6 weeks under the mentorship of Nadja Dumochel and Selina Ukwuoma. Following this they had a further 6 weeks to polish their work from home and submit the drafts to the awards committees.
Read Full Article
Delegate Registration opens today for 8th Durban FilmMart
Apr 18 2017 6:00PM
Registration opens today (April 18) and there is an early Bird registration discount for those booking before 23 June 2017. Fees are R1,630.00 (ZAR) for the 4 day event which includes access to allocated sessions, lunch, access to DFM networking events, entrance into the Durban International Film Festival screenings (subject to ticket availability), listing in the DFM Industry Manual and access to Masterclasses and the Africa in Focus programme.
Read Full Article
10th Talents Durban – Call for Submission 14--18 July 2017
Mar 9 2017 12:00AM
DEADLINE: 5 May 2017
Read Full Article
DIFF 2017 CALL FOR ENTRIES
Feb 3 2017 12:00AM
REMINDER:
Read Full Article
South African film, The Wound to open the Panorama programme of the Berlin International Film Festival
Dec 21 2016 12:00AM
Just after celebrating its selection to have its world premiere in competition at the Sundance Film festival in the USA, the film-makers of the South African film The Wound, have received news that the film has been selected to open the Berlin International Film Festival’s Panorama section in February 2017.
Read Full Article
Final Call for Projects for 2017 Durban FilmMart – Edition 8
Dec 12 2016 12:00AM
Today is D-Day - a reminder that submissions of projects for the 8th edition of The Durban FilmMart (DFM), which takes place in Durban, South Africa from 14 to 17 July 2017 will close today - 12 December 2016.
Read Full Article
The Wound to Make World Premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival
Dec 5 2016 12:00AM
The Wound tells the story Xolani, a lonely Xhosa factory worker who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. When a defiant initiate from the city discovers his best kept secret, Xolani's entire existence begins to unravel.
Read Full Article
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE REALNESS PAN AFRICAN SCRIPTWRITING RESIDENCY 2017
Nov 29 2016 12:00AM
ealness is a pioneering residency that provides filmmakers with the opportunity to hone and develop their creative scriptwriting skills. It serves to address the need for promising African film projects to be supported in their development phase to be able to realistically compete in global film markets.
Read Full Article
Call For Applications : SA-France Co-Production Workshop
Nov 7 2016 12:00AM
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the National Centre for Cinema (CNC) of France, in conjunction with the French Embassy in South Africa, are organising a 2 day co-production workshop between the two countries, which will be held in Paris the week of 27 March 2017 (date TBC).
Read Full Article
Train of Salt and Sugar – wins Best Film at Joburg Film Festival
Nov 7 2016 12:00AM
The Mozambiquan Train of Salt and Sugar, a 2014 Durban FilmMart project, directed by Licínio Azevedo, which had its African premiere in competition at the Joburg Film Festival won the Festival’s inaugural Best Film Award on Saturday.
Read Full Article
DIFF Film Manager post
Oct 24 2016 12:00AM
DIFF seeks a new manager
Read Full Article
Women's Voices Now (WVN) Online Film Festival
Oct 24 2016 12:00AM
Women’s Voices Now seeks to amplify the voices of all women. We believe in the power of free expression to realize the aspirations of women's rights. At WVN, we look for compelling films in the documentary, narrative, and experimental genres that push boundaries and subvert expectations.
Read Full Article
Train of Salt and Sugar – a film by Licínio Azevedo for Joburg Film Festival
Oct 18 2016 12:00AM
Train of Salt and Sugar, which was a selected project at the 2014 Durban FilmMart, has it’s SA premiere at the Joburg Film Festival on 29th of October at 4 pm. Entrance is free of charge on a first comes first basis at the iconic Alexander Theatre in Braamfontein.
Read Full Article
CROSSCURRENTS DOCUMENTARY FUND – SHORT/INTERACTIVE/EXPERIMENTAL STREAM
Oct 17 2016 12:00AM
The CrossCurrents Doc Fund provides one successful applicant per year with a grant of $10,000 CDN (ten thousand dollars), which could reflect up to 100 per cent of the project’s production budget.
Read Full Article
New CEO at Göteborg Film Festival
Oct 5 2016 12:00AM
Mirja Wester takes over as CEO of Göteborg Film Festival. Mirja is well-established in the film industry and has worked at the festival for several years in different capacities, most recently as Festival Manager.
Read Full Article
Call for Projects for 2017 Durban FilmMart – Edition 8
Oct 3 2016 12:00AM
Submissions of projects for the 8th edition of The Durban FilmMart (DFM), which takes place in Durban, South Africa from 14 to 17 July 2017 will open on October 12, 2016.
Read Full Article
CineMart - Call for Projects
Aug 31 2016 12:00AM
Deadline 16 September 2016
Read Full Article
Berlinale Co-Production Market: New Opportunities for International Feature-Length Fiction Film Projects
Aug 25 2016 12:00AM
Until October 12, experienced producers from around the world may submit feature-length fiction film projects to the Berlinale Co-Production Market 2017. With budgets between one and 20 million euros, the projects should be suitable for international co-production, and have 30% of their financing or at least local production support already in place.
Read Full Article
SOUTH AFRICAN FILM BUSINESS TRAINERS TAKES A BOLD STEP FORWARD
Aug 2 2016 12:00AM
For the second year in a row at the Durban FilmMart Tina-Louise Smith and Orla Garriques ran the Business Model Programme. This Programme is a series of dynamic, interactive workshops, running over the four days of the FilmMart, consisting of the Trainers’ Boot Camp, Producers’ Workshops and the Industry Panel.
Read Full Article
Film4Africa Global Video Competition
Jul 28 2016 12:00AM
The competition invites filmmakers between the ages of 14-35 years from around the world to express their vision for a sustainable future by creating a Public Service Advertisement (less than 1 min) or a Short Film (1-5 minutes) about climate action.
Read Full Article