Africa’s premier film industry event, the Durban FilmMart, will continue its long history presenting pan-African programmes that include diverse voices with a variety of backgrounds and identities when the event commences virtually from 16-25 July.
“Inclusivity is at the core of what DFM does,” says acting General Manager, Magdalene Reddy, “we aim to create access for filmmakers of all stages! It is crucial that racial and gender shortcomings be redressed – that is the only way we can foster true community and integrity in the film industry. This is reflected in the parity of DFM speakers and programme participants. While putting stories first, and involving role players who are making an impact, we deliberately seek out organisations that empower women and transformation in the film industry.”
Two panels to get you started:
Africa in Focus: Womxn in Film
Tackling head-on the challenges that face women film professionals across the continent, the Africa in Focus: Womxn in Film panel will traverse issues of gender equality and safe working spaces, how to go about changing the structures of production and the infrastructure of the industry, while navigating spaces of sexism and other antiquated notions. Featuring Edima Otuokon (Ladima), Zanele Mthembu (SWIFT), and Antoinette Engel (Black Women Disrupt), the conversation will explore newly-created initiatives that challenge the status quo and take us into more equitable ways of working.
Africa in Focus: Representation Matters
While diversity and inclusivity are high priorities both on- and off-screen, Africa’s complicated relationship with queer-identifying people has become a very urgent conversation. Through a visible representation of the differences of humanity, African film has the ability to break down stereotypes and de-stigmatise queer lifestyles. Portraying accurate depictions of queer lives could help navigate and change homophobic attitudes in different regions of the continent. Bringing attention to these issues is a panel that includes Yaya Mavundla (Becoming), Athi Petela (Trapped), Athi-Patra Ruga (The Lunar Songbook), Peter Murimi (I Am Samuel).
A number of DFM projects at the Finance and Pitch Forum address these themes, for example:
- Ethel (Producers: Mohamed Siam and François Artemare, Director: Mohamed Siam)
- The Woman Who Poked the Leopard (Producer: Rosie Motene, Director: Patience Nitumwesiga)
- Untitled: Miss Africa South (Producers: Bridget Pickering, Darren Kerr, Aliki Saragas-Georgiou and Jacqui-Lee Katz, Directors: Aliki Saraga-Georgiou and Jacqui-Lee Katz)
- Such A Silent Cry (Producer: Mehdi Hmili, Director: Walid Tayaa)
- Akashinga – (Producer: Jérémie Palanque, Director: Naishe Nyamubaya)
- The Day and Night of Brahma – (Producer: Carol Kioko, Director: Sheetal Magan)
The Durban FilmMart 2021 is produced by the Durban FilmMart Institute with principal funding from the Durban Film Office and Ethekwini Municipality.
The DFM 2021 virtual event is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Film and Publications Board, International Emerging Film Talent Association, Institut Francais – South Africa, Wesgro and Namibian Film Commission with the following programme partners – AfriDocs and Avek, Berlinale Talent, Cape Town International Animation Film Festival, Digital Lab Africa, Documentary Filmmakers Association, Documentary Association of Europe, DOK.fest München, DOK Leipzig, Dolby, Durban International Film Festival, FidaDoc, Hot Docs Blue Ice Fund, Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Independent Producers Organisation, Miradas Doc, Netflix, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Produire au Sud, Rotterdam Cinemart, SASFED, South African Guild of Actors, Sørfond – Norwegian South Film Fund, SWIFT, Trace Studios, Writers Guild of South Africa.
Register for the Durban FilmMart here: http://www.durbanfilmmart.co.za/Delegate-Registration.aspx