Durban FilmMart 2025: Full Line-Up

Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has selected 31 projects from 15 countries for the Pitch and Finance Forum of the 2025 Durban FilmMart (DFM).

Taking place July 18-21 in Durban, South Africa, the market provides a platform for filmmakers to meet with global broadcasters, financiers, streamers, sales agents, festival programmers and producers.

DFMI director Magdalene Reddy said: “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.”

DURBAN FILMMART 2025 PROJECT SELECTIONS:

FICTION PROJECTS:

Baptism Of Silence (’n Doop om Stilte) (South Africa)
Prod: Casey Diepeveen
Dirs: Kanya Viljoen, Emilie Badenhorst

The Guardian (Al Assas) (Libya-Algeria-Canada)
Prod: Lynda Belkhiria
Dir: Muhannad Lamin

Renewed (Bupya) (Rwanda)
Prod: Oge Obasi
Dir: Dipo Abdul Osiyemi

Corruption Is An English Word (South Africa)
Prod: Rea Moeti-Vogt
Dir: Zoe Ramushu

The Sunflowers Of The Moon (Dowar Alqamar) (Tunisia)
Prod: Sarra Maali
Dir: ismaël

The Boar (Le Sanglier) (Senegal)
Prod: Yanis Gaye
Dir: Mamadou Socrate Diop

She Who Brings The Rain (Nomvula) (South Africa)
Prod: Kethiwe Ngcobo
Dir: Sibusiso Khuzwayo

Space Maasai (Tanzania)
Prod: Wilson Nkya
Dir: Priscilla Marealle

Stero (Kenya)
Prod: Juliana Kabua
Dirs: Millan Tarus, Tevin Kimathi

FICTION SERIES:

High Flyers (South Africa)
Prod: Gabe Gabriel
Dir: Ian Gabriel

The Second Coming (South Africa)
Prod: Siyabonga Xaba
Dir: Michael James

VigilAunties (South Africa)
Prod: Dominique Jossie
Dir: Loren Loubser

ANIMATED FICTION FEATURES:

Aisha Qandicha (Morocco)
Prod: Alyssa Harden
Dir: Fatima Mahdar

In The Name Of King Njoya (Au Nom Du Roi Njoya) (Cameroon)
Prod: Claye Edou
Dir: Claye Edou

Crocodile Dance (South Africa, Nigeria)
Prod: Ingrid de Beer
Dirs: Shofela Coker, Nadia Darries

Kamaroza (Egypt)
Prod: Nouran Abdallah
Dirs: Ahmad Abdelhameed, Islam Mazhar

Kintuadi: Simon Kimbangu (DR Congo)
Prod: Giresse Kassonga
Dir: Benny Lusakueno

Tribe (South Africa)
Prod: Debbie Crosscu
Dir: Tendayi Nyeke

ANIMATED FICTION SERIES:

Mboudgui (Cameroon-France)
Prods: Betty Sulty-Johnson, Lamissa Ouattara
Dir: Bienvenu Wanso-Tissala

Nunu Rhu / The Girl With Wings (South Africa)
Prods: Ameera Faber, Sabrina Roc
Dir: Clare Louis

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES:

Akal (Morocco)
Prod: Karim Debbagh
Dir: Basma Rkioui

Climbing The Mountains (Algeria)
Prods: Kenji Accard, Sabrina Chebbi
Co-Prod: Oualid Baha
Dir: Sabrina Chebbi

Golden (Zimbabwe)
Prods: Rumbi Katedza, Ingrid Martens
Dir: Rumbi Katedza

Kivu (DR Congo)
Prod: Christian Bitwaiki
Dir: Elise Sawasawa

Plastic Atlantis (Cape Verde)
Prod: Pedro Soulé
Dir: Samira Vera-Cruz

Dry Sky (Samaa Gafa) (Sudan)
Prod: Aya Tallah Yusuf
Dir: Ibrahim Omar

The Salt Of The South (Tunisia)
Prod: Ramzi Laâmouri
Dir: Rami Jarboui

Un/Settled (South Africa)
Prod: Mehret Mandefro
Dir: Sydelle Willow Smith

Vuka (South Africa)
Prod: Rehad Desai
Dir: Matthew Robinson

DOCUMENTARY SERIES:

Planet Carnival (South Africa)
Prods: Thandi Davids, Adrian Van Wyk
Co-Prod: Luana Rocha
Dir: Kurt Orderson

Return To Thiaroye (Retour à Thiaroye) (Tunisia)
Prods: Dhia Jerbi, Manon Lavaud, Victor Thomas
Dir: Emilien Abibou