The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) Announces Project Selections for DFM 2025

The highly anticipated Durban FilmMart (DFM) is set to take place from July 18 to 21 in Durban, South Africa. Now in its 16th edition, DFM remains Africa’s leading co-production and film finance market, this year embracing the unifying theme: Bridges Not Borders: Stories that Unite.

Exciting Project Selections

A total of 31 innovative projects in development, representing 15 countries across Africa, have been chosen to participate in the Pitch and Finance Forum. These projects encompass a variety of formats, including animation, documentary, and fiction, showcasing the rich cultural diversity and cinematic creativity of the continent. Filmmakers will have the unique opportunity to connect directly with international broadcasters, financiers, streamers, festival programmers, and sales agents to secure the support needed to bring their visions to life.

Championing Authentic African Narratives

Magdalene Reddy, Director of the DFMI, commented on the project selections: “This year’s lineup continues our proud tradition of promoting authentic African narratives and voices from across the continent. The selected projects for DFM 2025 exemplify exceptional storytelling that bridges cultures while remaining deeply rooted in their unique contexts. Given the remarkable success of our DFM alumni in recent years—many of whom have premiered at major international festivals and secured global distribution—I am confident this cohort will achieve similar recognition and impact. These stories not only connect various regions of Africa but also resonate with our diaspora and Global South communities, embodying our theme of building bridges through cinema.”

Diverse Categories of Film

The animation category features exciting titles such as Aisha Qandicha (Morocco), Crocodile Dance (South Africa/Nigeria), and Tribe (South Africa), along with series like Mboudgui (Cameroon/France) and Nunu Rhu/The Girl With Wings (South Africa). In the documentary realm, notable projects include Golden (Zimbabwe), Plastic Atlantis (Cape Verde), and Vuka (South Africa), as well as series such as Planet Carnival (South Africa) and Retour à Thiaroye (Tunisia). The fiction selections showcase titles like Nomvula (South Africa), Al Assas (Libya/Algeria/Canada), and Space Maasai (Tanzania), alongside new series including VigilAunties and The Second Coming from South Africa.

Engaging Industry Programme

In addition to the Pitch and Finance Forum, DFM 2025 will feature a comprehensive Industry Programme filled with masterclasses, panel discussions, and roundtables, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across Africa’s creative sectors. The overarching goal of the event is to position cinema as a tool for connection rather than division—encouraging partnerships, shared resources, and new storytelling avenues that resonate both regionally and globally.