Durban FilmMart 2020– DFM Virtual event
✅ Dates: September 4 – 13, 2020
✅ Platform: http://www.durbanfilmmart.co.za/
✅ Tickets: R800
It was thrilling to attend the virtual opening of DFM – Durban FilmMart 2020. The event which usually takes place in Durban, KZN, is being held digitally because of Covid-19.
DFM and the DIFF (The Durban Film Festival) have made Durban the film capital of South Africa. It is a balmy and beautiful city and has many benefits for film crews. Just to point out that DFM and DIFF are two separate events. DIFF 2020 is taking place – also digitally – from September 10-20, 2020. No in-person attendance at DFM or DIFF.
The Durban FilmMart (DFM) is a four day film finance and 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.” Obviously everything is happening online this year. There are networking, pitching and funding forums and workshops. DIFF is the “oldest and largest film festival in Southern Africa” and presents “screenings celebrating the best in South African, African and international cinema.”
Undoubtedly, Covid-19 has left us all reeling – an apt word for the film industry and it was wonderful to hear councillor, Belinda Scott, Deputy Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, talking at the launch, about the City’s commitment to the arts; not only in terms of the substantial spend that is brought in by arts events but because of the power of the arts- in this case film – for creatives to tell their stories. She said that The Durban Film Office has put in place incentives for film crews to work in Durban. Applications are streaming in- which is fantastic. Going forward, the message was that Durban will do everything it can to assist the film industry.
It was announced at the launch that the DFM used to be an annual event but now exists as an institute – which means that there are plans to provide more industry development opportunities.
Info about DFM 2020 producers and partners- supplied
✅ The Durban FilmMart 2020 is produced by the Durban FilmMart Institute with principal funding from the Durban Film Office and Ethekwini Municipality. The DFM 2020 virtual event is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Film and Publications Board, Gauteng Film Commission, IEFTA, Institut Francais – South Africa, Candian High Commission of SA, Wesgro/Film Cape Town and Namibia Film Commission with the following programme partners – Berlinale Talent, Documentary Filmmakers Association, DOK.fest München, Dok Leipzig, FidaDoc, Hot Docs Blue Ice Fund, Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Incoproduction, Independent Producers Organisation, Miradas Doc, Netflix, Norwegian South Film Fund, Produire au Sud, Rotterdam, Cinemart, Realness Institute, San Francisco Black Film Festival, SASFED, SWIFT, TRT 12 Punto, Writers Guild of South Africa, University of Cape Town’s Screen Incubator programme. DFM media partners include Awotele, Call sheet and Variety.
