DFM 2025 Shines Spotlight on African Animation

Vanessa Obioha

African animation takes centre stage at this year’s Durban FilmMart (DFM), as the prestigious industry platform announces a strong slate of programming dedicated to the continent’s growing animation sector. The 16th edition of DFM, running from July 18 to 21, will feature curated panels, masterclasses, and pitch sessions aimed at equipping animators and studios with the tools to thrive both creatively and commercially.

With a sharp focus on business development, this year’s Animation@DFM stream explores how African studios can scale in a competitive global market, while staying rooted in local stories and aesthetics. One of the headline events, “How Can Smaller Animation Studios Remain Sustainable?”, will feature top industry names like Francis Y. Brown (AnimaxFYB Studios), Hamid Ibrahim (Kugali), and ClayeEdou (Cledley Productions), sharing real-world strategies for creative and financial longevity.

DFM 2025 also teams up with the Cape Town International Animation Festival (CTIAF) as part of a special three-city showcase tour. Durban will host the travelling animation showcase on July 20, offering audiences a colourful mix of African animation—from bold experimental shorts to family-friendly tales—all designed to reflect the depth and diversity of the continent’s talent.

Inclusivity also takes centre stage with a powerful panel presented in partnership with Triggerfish and UNESCO, titled “Expanding the Frame – Building Bridges for Gender Inclusivity in Animation.” The session will spotlight women, femmes, and queer-identifying creatives working to build a more equitable animation industry in Africa. Other highlights include a transmedia storytelling session featuring innovators from the gaming and XR space, and two masterclasses led by global animation executives SébastienOnomo (Special Touch Studios) and Bruno Felix (Submarine), who will unpack trends and opportunities in the international animation market.