The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has opened the call for submission of Kenyan animation projects in development for the 2023 Pitch and Finance Forum.
The Durban FilmMart will be receiving submissions together with Cape Town International Animation Film Festival (CTIAF) and Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct (Tshimologong).
The DFMI hopes to select 10 official animation projects in development to present to a panel of international decision-makers consisting of potential co-producers, broadcasters, film funds and distributors in the 14th Durban FilmMart (DFM) taking place in July 2023.
“2022 marked the first time in which DFM formally welcomed animation projects to pitch at the market,” says Magdalene Reddy, DFMI General Manager. “Pitches were well received by the industry and filmmakers were eager to share their stories, which we cannot wait to see in the very near future. Together with our partners from CTIAF and Tshimologong, we hope to deepen the program for animators on the continent offering more pitching opportunities, extended development, and greater engagements with the industry.
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The DFM Pitch and Finance Forum consist of public pitching, one on one meetings with decision-makers and 8 weeks of online mentorship prior to the pitch in Durban. This year DFM will be offering 5 of the 10 project teams the opportunity to participate in the Road to Annecy at CTIAF in addition to their participation in Durban.
“This has proven to be one of the most successful and impactful partnerships that offer our talent an opportunity to engage with decision-makers,” says Lesley Donna William – CEO of Tshimologong. “DFMI and CTIAF continue to play a vital role in providing platforms where our talent can gain access to industry experts through the mentorship program and allow them to pitch to a panel of decision-makers in the broadcasting and distribution sector. We are proud to announce that we will be renewing our partnership with DFMI and CTIAF. We look forward to working together in developing and providing market access to the animation industries from different parts of the continent.”
“The best way to perfect a pitch is to practice a pitch. Events like this are integral to getting market ready and I encourage everyone to enter competitions like this to hone their skills,” says Dianne Makings, director of CTIAF.
The Animation Pitch and Finance Forum will form part of the 14th annual Durban FilmMart event which will take place in July 2023 as an in-person event in Durban, South Africa.
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The Road to Annecy will be presented at the 2023 Cape Town International Animation Film Festival which will take place in April 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Animated Fiction and Documentary projects in development with at least one African citizen in one of the key creative roles (writer, director, or producer) will be considered for the program.
Proof of African citizenship or birth must be provided through a certified passport/I.D. or birth certificate. Projects need to have both a director and a producer attached and will be selected by an external panel of industry professionals.
The Durban FilmMart festival is open to creative professionals from six partner countries; Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa.
Shortlisted projects will be contacted via email in November 2022. The deadline for application is October 31st.
