The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has opened the call for animation projects to pitch at the 16th annual DFM Pitch and Finance Forum. The DFMI will select approximately 8 official animation projects in development to present to a panel of film professionals consisting of potential co-producers, broadcasters, film funds, and distributors at Africa's annual premier film finance and coproduction market. "Over the past 3 years the Durban FilmMart has not only seen an increase in the number of applications received from animators across the continent and the quality of projects has improved greatly," says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute. "The animation industry in Africa is flourishing and the DFMI is proud to be contributing to this growth." Animators with projects in development from across the continent are invited to apply.
The Forum is open to both series and feature-length projects and at least one of the 3 key creatives (Producer, Writer, Director) should be from Africa or African in the Diaspora (with an African passport). Successful project participants will be invited to participate in a comprehensive mentorship programme to prepare them for their live pitch and meetings at DFM 2025.
The online mentorship programme will include a series of masterclasses with leading global industry experts in January and February 2025.
To present their project at the 16th DFM one representative from the project will be provided with travel and accommodation to attend the live Pitch and Finance Forum in July 2025 (travel support is only provided for one representative per project travel within Africa). Application criteria: ● The programme is open to African animators with an active feature length or episodic animation project in development. ● The programme is open to both fiction and documentary animation projects. ● At least one of the 3 key creatives (Producer, Writer, Director) must be from Africa. ● Project applications must be completed in English, however the language of the project itself is up to the imagination of the animator. ● At least one representative must be available to participate in the online masterclass and mentorship programme and be present in Durban for the duration of the 16th Durban FilmMart. Applications can be made through the Durban FilmMart Institute website: https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/pitch-and-finance-forum-application/ Deadline for applications: Sunday, 27 October 2024 The call for live action projects will open shortly.