Durban FilmMart will stage its 17th edition from October 9 to 12, centering the programme around the theme “Shifting …”. The South African city’s flagship film market has been billed as the continent’s most influential gathering for filmmakers, financiers and distributors.
Organisers say the four‑day event will feature a full slate of conversations and activities designed to build on the market’s legacy of innovation, disruption and industry‑defining discussions. By foregrounding new ideas, the festival aims to keep its reputation as a catalyst for change in African cinema.
According to the market’s head, this year’s edition is “looking inward” as African screen industries strive to “create solutions on their own terms”. The focus reflects a broader push for self‑determined development across the continent’s film and television sectors.
Participants can expect panels, workshops and networking sessions that address the challenges and opportunities facing African storytellers, from financing models to distribution strategies that bypass traditional gatekeepers.
Durban, a coastal hub in South Africa, has long served as a crossroads for regional and international film business. The FilmMart’s continued emphasis on home‑grown solutions underscores its role in shaping the future of African screen industries.
<small>Source: Variety — read the original story there.</small>
