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The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) is proud to announce the selected participants for the fourth edition of DFM Access, an 8-week development platform for early-career South African producers. Taking place during May, June, and August 2025, this year’s programme will support 23 emerging South African filmmakers.

DFM Access provides a nurturing framework for participants with active feature-length or episodic independent film projects in development, helping them hone and improve their scripts and project packages. With support from the National Film and Video Foundation PESP 5 funding, this online incubation programme supports producers in shaping their stories, preparing project presentations, and understanding the marketplace to create effective strategies for current projects and plan their professional trajectory.

Related: OF MUD AND BLOOD and THE LEGEND OF THE VAGABOND QUEEN OF LAGOS will be screening at the 46th Durban International Film Festival 

Magdalene Reddy, Director of the DFMI, commented on the programme: “The Durban FilmMart Institute recognises the importance of nurturing new talent and providing access into an industry that can sometimes be intimidating and challenging for a new producer. DFM Access is one of the DFMI’s year-round programme offerings that helps emerging producers navigate the film industry to achieve their production goals. The programme is intentionally designed to provide access and offer insights that help producers prepare to package and pitch their projects with confidence.”

Over the past three years, DFMI has seen almost 58 first-time producers acquire the skills and knowledge to successfully participate in local and international markets. The success of the programme was evident in the previous edition, where three DFM Access participants were selected to pitch at the DFM Pitch and Finance Forum.

Selected Participants and Projects

This year’s cohort features 23 promising South African producers, representing diverse storytelling approaches across fiction, documentary, and animation formats. The selected participants will benefit from one-on-one mentorship and expert-led talks throughout the programme.

Documentary Features:

• A Bed called Home produced and directed by Themba Baleni
• Dead Archives produced by Pumelelo Christopher Sobinca and directed by Ntsika Ngini-Ngini
• Dispossess produced by Carol Pam Zokufa and directed by Nkululeko Zokufa
• MDANTSANE – HOME OF BOXING produced and directed by Pumlani Veto
• Ocean Acidification along South Africa’s Coastline produced and directed by Michelle Simon
• Of Song and Silence: Indwe and AbaThembu produced and directed by Tsakane Maubane
• Ruth Mompati: A Life of Courage produced and directed by Diliza Moabi
• Vredefort Dome: An African Perspective on a Cosmic Catatlysm produced and directed by Mohau Kwebu

Fiction Features:

• Dead but Barely Breathing produced by Babalwa Rasane-Eidnerand directed by Jonathan Parkinson
• Ekhaya produced Nobulali Kama and directed by Kagiso Latane
• Howick Falls produced and directed by Nhlakanipho Mashinini
• MIER produced Rafiq Samsodien and directed by  Oliver North
• The Trip produced by Mbalentle Fikeni and directed by Faith Riyano
• Waslap produced and directed by Batandwa Alperstein
• Xola (Working Title) produced by Sinomtha Nduna and directed by Miselwa Ngamlana

Series:

• BHODLOZA NZIMANDE:  the legendary DJ who Amplified the Maskandi Revolution produced and directed by Philile Nzimande
• JARIAH produced and directed by Thubelihle Sithole
• uNodoli ukhenketha Ezilalini produced and directed by Azola  Ntlantsana
• My Mense produced and directed by Akhona Sitshinga
• Reycation produced and directed by Holly Wasserfall
• Strandfontein produced By Mark Haines Jaco van Bosch and directed by Jaco Bosch
• The Coven produced by Siphesihle Mthembu and directed by Mqondisi Ngubane
• The Bush Life produced Karly Poyer and directed by Ian Morgan

These projects will be mentored by some of South Africa’s leading film professionals. Jacintha de Nobrega, Tracey-Lee Rainers; Sihle Hlope; Tiny Mungwe; Bongi Ndaba; Kethiwe Ngcobo; Busisiwe Ntintili; Teboho Pietersen; Miki Redelinghuys; Nicole Schafer; Bonie Sithebe and Thandeka Zwana.

The 2025 DFM Access programme continues to focus on developing emerging South African filmmaking talent. Fostering the skills needed to succeed in the competitive global film industry, in-line with the Durban FilmMart Institutes ethos of creating access for filmmakers.  All backgrounds and experience to not only highlight the work of filmmakers, but to elevate the industry as a whole.

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.

For more information, 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: [email protected]

About Post Author

Rahab Kimani

[email protected]

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