For 16 years, as a key event in the African Cinema space, the Durban FilmMart (DFM), continues to solidify itself as the continent’s premier platform for film financing, distribution partnerships, and strategic industry collaborations. Taking place 18-21 July 2025, at Elangeni Hotel, Durban, the four-day programme presents unprecedented opportunities for filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals to access funding, forge distribution deals, and build sustainable business relationships across global markets.

The cornerstone of DFM’s business programming is the comprehensive Pitch and Finance Forum, running across three specialised tracks over multiple days. The selected documentary, fiction and animation filmmakers have an opportunity to present their projects to international and local financiers, distributors, coproducers and commissioners, offering filmmakers direct access to global and local funding opportunities.

The Industry Programme’s “Talking Cents” series addresses the fundamental business challenges facing African filmmakers through targeted discussions on financing strategies and market access. “A New Black Film Ecosystem” brings together Joel Chikapa-Phiri (Known Associates Group), Jihan El-Tahri (Big Sister Productions), Paul Garnes (ARRAY), Mohamed Saïd Ouma (Africa Real Collective), and Samantha Kaine (I.M.P.A.C.T), to discuss how to build sustainable economic models for Black cinema globally.

“Talking Private Equity Partners” features Wilson Nyah (NYANU Investment Services), Pape Boye (Black Mic Mac), Khosie Dali (Miss K Productions), Akunna Cook (Next Narrative Africa) and Marco Orsini (MoJo Entertainment), to explore alternative financing mechanisms beyond traditional grant funding. The series continues with “The Future of Grant Funding for African Films,” bringing together Emad Eskander (Red Sea Film Fund), Dominic Davis (Sundance Institute), Jon-Sesrie Goff (Ford Foundation), Selin Murat (IDFA Bertha Fund) and Farai Ncube (British Council) to highlight evolving funding landscapes.

> JXA Aircraft Returns to Jambojet, Makes First Flight to Eldoret

Innovation in financing comes to the fore with discussions around “Blockchain Financing for Film,” where Nafia Kocks (Holocene Films), Weaam Williams (Holocene Films) and Bongani Morgan (4th Avenue Pictures) explore emerging financial technologies transforming film investment and distribution models.

The programme addresses critical distribution challenges through “Distribution for Impact and Income,” featuring Nasreen Al-Amin (Surge Africa), Rodrigo Díaz Díaz (Taturana), Julian Etienne (Doc Society), Dr Liani Maasdorp (UCT/Climate Story Lab ZA), Cindy Makandi (Tunga Afrika), and Emily Wanja (Doc Society).  This session examines how filmmakers can balance commercial success with social impact objectives. The programme also features “Exhibitors and Distributors: Who is Building and Furnishing a Home for Global South Content?” with Jeanne Deny (MAD Solutions), Laurent Sicouri (Canal+), Reem Maged (Cimatheque Cairo/NAAS), Nicky Scheepers (Ster Kinekor) and Monde Twala (Paramount Africa).

“Accessing the Next Narrative Africa Fund,” featuring Darcy Heusel and Akunna Cook, presents a dedicated fund for emerging African voices. While “Unlocking Global Funding for Black Cinema,” presented in partnership with Independent Black Filmmakers Collective, asks the critical questions for co-production opportunities between African countries. The panel consist of panellists, Joel Chikapa-Phiri (Known Associates Group), Tshepiso Chikapa-Phiri (Known Associates Group), Kagisho Bapela (Industrial Development Corporation), and Maganthrie Pillay (Masala Film Works).

Keeping with theme of connecting black filmmakers,  “I.M.P.A.C.T: Owning the Future – Black Producers Bridging Worlds” brings together fellows of the Canadian Independent Media Producers Association of Creative Talent (IMPACT): Temilola Adebayo (Rellow Media Inc.), Kathryn Fasegha (BalminGilead Movie Productions Canada), Kadeem A. Maxwell (Melomax Productions), Vicky Plancher (Mare Rouge Entertainment), and founder and executive director, Samantha Kaine, to examine how Black producers are creating global networks and sustainable business models for international connection.

> Time to Rethink Banking Partnerships in a Complex Regional Economy

Durban FilmMart remains a space for networking and business, with the IDC deal room as a physical space of working and meetings, while the exhibition hub, showcasing key industry players, bringing together a vibrant mix of national and international stakeholders—from studios and film commissions to funding bodies, service providers, tourism authorities, and cultural institutions. Magdalene Reddy is the Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute.

Exhibitors include, Wrapped Studios, Cine Connect, Durban Film Office, Downtown Music Publishing, Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Cultural Office from the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire, Film Cape Town, Film and Publications Board, French Institute, Gauteng Film Commission, Industrial Development Corporation, Independent Producers Organisation, KZN Tourism and Film Authority, MTN, The Network of Arab Alternative Screens, Namibia Film Commission, Panavision, Sunshine Cinema, and Wesgro.

These exhibitors are strategically positioned to facilitate co-production deals, funding partnerships, distribution connections, infrastructure support, location scouting, tax incentives, equipment rental, cultural collaboration and, of course, networking.