The third edition of Durban FilmMart (DFM) will take place from 20 to 23 July 2012, during the 33rd Durban International Film Festival (19 to 29 July).

Organisers have issued a call for submissions of both feature-length fiction and documentary projects (including animation).

Selected projects will be invited to pitch projects in one-on-one meetings with potential investors within the Finance Forum segment of the programme.

The closing date for submissions is 15 February 2012.

DFM is a partnership project between the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) that provides filmmakers from across Africa a valued opportunity to pitch projects to financiers, distributors, sales agents and potential co-producers.
Over 200 industry professionals attended the successful Durban FilmMart of 2011, participating in meetings, project presentations and a series of master classes and workshops on latest trends in film finance, marketing, distribution and new media technologies.

Entry for the DFM 2012 is open to:
* Projects in which either the producer, director or writer is an African citizen. Proof of African citizenship or birth must be provided through a certified copy of a valid African passport / birth certificate;
* Africans living in the Diaspora, but who still have African citizenship or have proof of birth in Africa;
* Projects with a producer attached.

For more information on the Durban FilmMart and project submission criteria and processes please visit the official website.


THE SELECTION 2012

110 submissions consisting of 67 feature and 43 documentary projects. Twelve fiction projects and twelve documentary projects have been chosen for one-on-one meetings with potential investors and co-producers in the Finance Forum. Documentary projects will also be pitched to a panel of commissioning editors and funders in the DOC Circle. Durban FilmMart participants will also have the opportunity to liaise with industry professionals during several scheduled networking sessions.

Peter Rorvik, director of the Centre for Creative Arts and the Durban International Film Festival added that the Durban FilmMart supports the recognition and appreciation for Africa-storytelling. Said Rorvik, "Durban FilmMart 2012 participants will be the next class of African film pioneers who break new ground for the African film industry."

Documentary projects in the 2012 selection are:

Bread and Angels (Egypt), directed and produced by Rachid Biyi.
Conversations with Mandela (South Africa), directed by Khalo Matabane and produced by Carolyn Carew
The Devil's Lair (South Africa), directed by Riann Hendricks and produced by Neil Brandt
EMBO (South Africa), directed by Ayanda Mncwabe-Mama and produced by Madoda Mditshwa
Gold Dust (South Africa), directed by Odette Geldenhuys and produced by Neil Brandt
Jan Smuts - An International Icon Ahead of His Time (South Africa), directed by Neville Herrington and produced by Sandra Herrington
Logs of War (Kenya), co-directed by Anjali Nayar and Hawa Essuman and produced by Anjali Nayar
Mother of the Unborn (Egypt), directed by Nadine Salib and produced by Fawzi Saleh
Sands of The Skei Queen (a working title) (South Africa), directed and co-produced by Ryley Grunenwald and Pascal Schmitz
Shattered Pieces of Peace (South Africa), directed by Nonhlanhla Dlamini and produced by Sakhile Dlamini
The Soweto Messiah (South Africa), directed by Francois Verster and produced by Michael Auret
Underground/ On the Surface (Egypt), directed by Salma Eltarzi and produced by Mohamed Eltohami

The selected fiction feature projects are:

A Shot at the Big Time (South Africa, Australia, UK), directed by Stephen de Villiers and produced by Magda M. Olchawska
Djin (Kenya), directed and produced by Hawa Essuman
Flatland (South Africa), directed by Jenna Cato Bass and produced by David Horler
In Silence..& In Tears (Nigeria), directed by Didi Cheeka and produced by Ikechukwu Omenaihe
Jabu (South Africa), directed by Philani Sithebe and produced by Bonnie Sithebe
Jambula Tree (Kenya), directed by Wanuri Kahiu and produced by Steven Markovitz
Live from Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), directed by Rumbi Katedza and produced by Jackie Cahi
Papwa (South Africa), directed by Catherine Stewart and produced by David Selvan
The Mercy of The Jungle (Rwanda), directed and produced by Joel Karekezi
The Number (South Africa), directed by Khalo Matabane and produced by Carolyn Carew
Repeated Stopping (Egypt), directed by Marouan Omara and produced by Hossam Elouan
The Visit (South Africa), directed by John Gutierrez and produced by Imraan Jeeva

The 3rd edition of the Durban FilmMart will take place from 20-23 July 2012, during the 33rd edition of the DIFF (19-29 July 2012). Filmmakers who did not submit projects for official selection can still register as delegates for the event. Registration will officially open at the end of May 2012.