THE DURBAN FILMMART INSTITUTE INTRODUCES THE OFFICIAL PROJECTS FOR THE PITCH AND FINANCE FORUM OF THE 2025 DURBAN FILMMART

The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) is proud to announce the official projects for the Pitch and Finance Forum of the 2025 Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa's leading co-production and film finance market. Taking place from 18 - 21 July 2025, the 16th edition of DFM, under the banner "Bridges Not Borders: Stories that Unite," will host a dynamic four-day event in Durban, South Africa.

This year, 31 compelling projects in development from 15 countries, will participate in the DFM Pitch and Finance Forum, a pivotal platform where filmmakers convene to network with global broadcasters, financiers, streamers, sales agents, festival programmers, and producers. This interaction is crucial for acquiring the necessary support to transition projects from development to production, ultimately bringing diverse African narratives to both regional and international audiences.

Magdalene Reddy, Director of the DFMI, commented on the selection of projects: "This year's selection continues our proud tradition of championing authentic African narratives and voices from across the continent. The projects selected for DFM 2025 demonstrate exceptional storytelling that bridges cultures while remaining deeply rooted in their unique contexts. Given the remarkable success of our DFM alumni in recent years—with projects premiering at major international festivals and securing global distribution—I'm confident this cohort will follow a similar trajectory of recognition and impact. These stories not only connect different regions of Africa but also reach out to our diaspora and Global South communities, embodying our theme of building bridges through cinema."

Official Project Selections

Animation Official Selection

Animated fiction features:

Aisha Qandicha

Producer: Alyssa Harden

Director: Fatima Mahdar

Morocco

Au nom du Roi Njoya (In The Name of King Njoya)

Producer: Claye Edou

Director: Claye Edou

Cameroon

Crocodile Dance

Producer: Ingrid de Beer

Directors:  Shofela Coker, Nadia Darries

South Africa /Nigeria

Kamaroza

Producer: Nouran Abdallah

Directors: Ahmad Abdelhameed, Islam Mazhar

Egypt

Kintuadi: Simon Kimbangu

Producer:  Giresse Kassonga

Director: Benny Lusakueno

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Tribe

Producer: Debbie Crosscu

Director: Tendayi Nyeke

South Africa

Animated fiction series:

Mboudgui

Producers: Betty Sulty-Johnson, Lamissa Ouattara

Director: Bienvenu Wanso-Tissala

Cameroon /France

Nunu Rhu/The Girl With Wings

Producers: Ameera Faber, Sabrina Roc

Director: Clare Louis

South Africa

Documentary Official Selection

Documentary Features:

Akal

Producer: Karim Debbagh

Director: Basma Rkioui

Morocco

Climbing the Mountains

Producers: Kenji Accard, Sabrina Chebbi

Co-producer: Oualid Baha

Director: Sabrina Chebbi

Algeria

Golden

Producers: Rumbi Katedza, Ingrid Martens

Director: Rumbi Katedza

Zimbabwe

Kivu

Producer: Christian Bitwaiki

Director: Elise    Sawasawa

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Plastic Atlantis

Producer: Pedro Soulé

Director: Samira Vera-Cruz

Cape Verde

Samaa Gafa (Dry Sky)

Producer: Aya Tallah Yusuf

Director: Ibrahim Omar

Sudan

The Salt of the South

Producer: Ramzi Laâmouri          

Director: Rami Jarboui

Tunisia

Un/Settled

Producer: Mehret Mandefro     

Director: Sydelle Willow Smith

South Africa

Vuka

Producer: Rehad Desai

Director: Matthew Robinson

South Africa

Documentary Series:

Planet Carnival

Producers: Thandi Davids, Adrian Van Wyk

Co-producer: Luana Rocha

Director: Kurt Orderson

South Africa

Retour à Thiaroye (Return To Thiaroye)

Producers: Dhia Jerbi, Manon Lavaud, Victor Thomas

Director: Emilien Abibou

Tunisia

Fiction Official Selection

Fiction Features:

'n Doop om Stilte (Baptism of Silence)

Producer: Casey Diepeveen

Directors: Kanya Viljoen, Emilie Badenhorst

South Africa

Al Assas (The Guardian)

Producer: Lynda Belkhiria

Director: Muhannad Lamin

Libya/ Algeria/ Canada

Bupya   (Renewed)

Producer: Oge Obasi     

Director: Dipo Abdul Osiyemi

Rwanda

Corruption Is An English Word

Producer: Rea Moeti-Vogt

Director: Zoe Ramushu

South Africa

Dowar Alqamar (The Sunflowers of the Moon)

Producer: Sarra Maali    

Director: ismaël

Tunisia

Le Sanglier (The Boar)

Producer: Yanis Gaye

Director: Mamadou Socrate Diop

Senegal

Nomvula (She Who Brings the Rain)

Producer: Kethiwe Ngcobo        

Director: Sibusiso Khuzwayo

South Africa

 

Space Maasai

Producer: Wilson Nkya

Director: Priscilla Marealle

Tanzania

 

STERO

Producer: Juliana Kabua

Co-Director: Millan Tarus, Tevin Kimathi

Kenya 

Fiction Series

High Flyers

Producer: Gabe Gabriel

Director: Ian Gabriel

South Africa

The Second Coming

Producer: Siyabonga Xaba          

Director: Michael James

South Africa

VigilAunties

Producer: Dominique Jossie       

Director: Loren Loubser

South Africa

Beyond the Pitch and Finance Forum, DFM 2025 offers an enriching Industry Programme featuring masterclasses, panel discussions, and roundtables with some of Africa's foremost filmmaking professionals.

DFM 2025 recognises that our strength lies in our ability to connect, share, and grow together, rather than in isolation. When we position cinema as a bridge rather than a border, we open ourselves to genuine exchange and collaboration that enriches our storytelling capabilities. The event aims to create pathways for shared resources, knowledge exchange, and creative partnerships that connect different regions of the continent and reach out to diaspora and global South communities.

Early Bird registration for participation is now open until 31 May 2025.

For more information and to register, please visit our website: https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/

The Durban FilmMart Institute receives principal funding from the Durban Film Office and the eThekwini Municipality. For further inquiries, contact: info@durbanfilmmart.com

About the Durban FilmMart Institute:

Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where film professionals and content are globally competitive and celebrated. The mission of the Durban FilmMart Institute is to provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support and facilitate investment in the African film industry.