The 17th Durban FilmMart (DFM) is set to take place in Durban from October 9 to 12, with a packed programme that reflects the current state of the African film industry. Producer Samantha Biffot will share her experience of taking a film from a market pitch to the world stage, having recently conquered Cannes with her film Ben'Imana. The film, a Rwandan-Gabonese drama, premiered in Un Certain Regard at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and won the FIPRESCI Prize and the Caméra d'Or.
The 2026 edition of DFM is built around the theme Shifting Worlds: Turning Towards Ourselves, which draws on the words of Senegalese film pioneer Ousmane Sembène. The theme captures the idea that the industry should look towards its own stories, talent, and terms, rather than seeking validation elsewhere. According to Magdalene Reddy, director of the Durban FilmMart Institute, the theme is about finding solutions and validation within the industry itself.
Finance is a key focus of this year's DFM programme, with a panel of experts exploring financing models that give filmmakers greater creative control. The panel, titled More Than Making Cents: A New View on Financing Film, brings together industry experts including Nathan Adabadze of Media Finance Capital and South African producer Khosie Dali. The session aims to discuss how the industry can retain African intellectual property and provide filmmakers with greater creative control.
The theme of co-production runs throughout the programme, with a session titled Where's the Change: Co-production Beyond Financial Collaboration. The session brings together voices from Africa, Brazil, and Canada, including Documentary Africa's Mohamed Saïd Ouma and award-winning filmmaker Sylvia Vollenhoven. Other sessions will examine South Africa's treaty network and new South-South alliances, including Brazil-Africa collaboration.
The programme also covers animation, impact documentary, and natural-world storytelling, with a Canadian delegation and the Cross Continental Forum's 25th-anniversary panel adding an international dimension to the event. Hamid Ibrahim, a three-time Emmy nominee and CEO of Kugali Media, joins the AI and animation discussion, while Minnie Harris of MTN Group Digital and Flavia Motsisi, an International Emmy nominee and Forbes Africa honoree, examine vertical dramas as a possible new route for content and commerce.
According to Reddy, the director of the Durban FilmMart Institute, the programme reflects where the African film industry is right now, addressing current challenges and opportunities head-on. The event is held in association with MultiChoice, with principal funding from the National Lotteries Commission and support from partners including the National Film and Video Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Netflix, MTN Group, and the Industrial Development Corporation.
The 17th edition of DFM offers a platform for the African film industry to showcase its growth and innovation, with a focus on financing, co-production, and creative control. The event provides an opportunity for industry professionals to network, learn from each other, and explore new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Key points
- The 17th Durban FilmMart takes place in Durban from October 9 to 12, with a focus on financing, co-production, and innovation in African film.
- The event features a packed programme with sessions on financing models, co-production, animation, and impact documentary.
- The 2026 edition of DFM is built around the theme Shifting Worlds: Turning Towards Ourselves, which emphasizes the importance of looking within the industry for solutions and validation.
