The Durban FilmMart (DFM) recently announced the participants of Talents Durban. This is the 15th edition of Talents Durban which will be taking place virtually during DFM which is being held from 22 to 31 July.  This year’s DFM event is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission and Wesgro together with eThekwini Municipality’s Durban Film Office as the principal funder of DFM.  

Talents Durban is an important partner programme of the DFM Institute. It was founded in partnership with the Berlin International Film Festival and the Berlinale Talents project.

“We are excited to once again work with our international partners to provide a platform for African filmmakers to access the global market,” said Magdalene Reddy, General Manager of the DFM Institute.

 “This edition of Talents Durban will bring together creatives from across the continent whose work not only inspires but challenges industry norms,” she added.

The training and development offered to the selected Talents Durban participants is a six-week mentorship and an opportunity to present their film projects to an international market.

Following a meticulous adjudication process, 27 projects and four film critics, representing 16 countries made the final selection.

This year’s Talents Durban mentors are comprised of award-winning industry experts who have spent years crafting and honing their skill set.

In addition, Talents Durban Talks, a series of conversations with some of the continent’s most successful writers, directors, and film critics will be presented at the DFM 2022 online programme. 

DFM 2022 is themed ‘Revolution Evolution: Changing the Narrative’ and is both an online and physical event. Registrations is open for both online and physical participation at DFM. Visit https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/dfm-event-2022/ to review the participation options, and to explore the full programme of activities and opportunities on offer.

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Features Selection: 
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Kwibuka or How We Remember the Ending of Time (Kenya) Director: Arnold Mwanjila
Eliane (Benin/Togo) Director: Beola Touggourt
The Ambitious (Les Ambitieux) (Togo) Director: Gilbert Bararmna-Boukpessi
And me too (وانا كمان ) (Egypt) Director: Sondos Shabayek
The Dark Cloud (Ifu Elimnyama) (South Africa) Screenwriter: Hallie Haller
One More Night in Lagos (Côte d’Ivoire) Director: Marina Niava

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Documentaries Selection:
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Kamina, The Forgotten City (Kamina, La Cité Oubliée) (Togo) Director: Yelebo Amanou
Nidhal (نِضال) (Tunisia) Animation Director: Bassem Ben Brahim
Genetic Dissonance (South Africa) Director: Gabriella Blumberg
Fragile (هش) (Egypt) Director: Sally Abo Basha
The Darker Side of Afrobeats (Nigeria) Director: Aderonke Adeola
Born Between The Cracks/Follow The Sun (Izingane Zodlame) (South Africa) Director: Nontobeko Yamantungwa Sibisi
Revenge Porn (Uganda) Director: Ruth Nazzinda

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Shorts Selection: 
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The Lamb of Ha-‘Matli (Nku ea Sehlabelo) (Lesotho) Director: Phillip Leteka
Fleas (Amazeze) (South Africa) Director: Jordy Sank
The Last Tears of Eissa (Egypt) Director:  Morad Mostafa
On the Edge (Bord a Bord) (Tunisia) Director: Sahar El Echi
Lost Things (Mamelles) (Senegal) Director: Mamadou Socrate Diop
Still Night (South Africa) Screenwriter: Veron Vadivelu

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Episodic Selection: 
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Queens! (Kenya) Screenwriter: Lawrence Murage
Sowing Wild Oats (South Africa) Director: Lwazi Duma
The School of Life (A Escola da Vida) (Angola) Screenwriter: Ariel Casimiro
Gloria (Nigeria) Director: Adesua Okosun

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Animation Selection:
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Circus Odd (Swaziland) Screenwriter: Gcinaphi Dlamini
Ubizo (The Calling) (South Africa) Animation Director: Zamokuhle Thusi
Soul Tie (Namibia) Screenwriter: Micheal Pulse
The Bird and The Tree (Kenya) Animation Director: Stanslaus Manthi

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Talent Press (Film Critic / Journalist) Selection:
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Fabiola Uwera (Rwanda)
Jerry Chiemeke (Nigeria)
Dieubrebie Annick Rachelle Kandolo (Burkina Faso)
Merryn Haller (South Africa)