Two Nigerian projects, ‘Londoner,’ a fiction feature and ‘The Legends of Bulan,’ an animation, are among the official 30 projects in development selected for the 2024 edition of the Durban FilmMart. ‘Londoner’ is produced by Pamela Drameh and directed by Babatunde Apalowo, while ‘The Legends of Bulan’ is produced by Ferdinand Adimefe and directed by Azubuike Joseph Duru.
The selected projects, spread across three categories: Fiction, Documentary and Animation, will participate in the Pitch and Finance Forum, a pivotal platform where filmmakers convene to network with global broadcasters, financiers, streamers, sales agents, festival programmers, and producers.
This interaction is crucial for acquiring the necessary support to transition projects from development to production, ultimately bringing diverse African narratives to both regional and international audiences.
Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute, Magdalene Reddy while commenting on the selection of projects acknowledged that “This year’s diverse array of narratives showcases the creativity, adaptability, and inquisitiveness of filmmakers throughout the continent,” she said.
“Our filmmakers are tackling complex subjects and presenting fresh perspectives to worldwide audiences. The chosen projects weave through the intricacies of identity, tradition, and modernity, among other themes. They not only explore historical legacies and their lasting effects but also highlight the vibrant interaction between cultural preservation and innovation. These ideas are vital for deepening our understanding of the social, environmental, and ethical contexts that influence contemporary African societies and their filmic representations.”
Scheduled for July 19 – 22, 2024, the 15th edition of DFM, under the banner “African Visions Unleashed: From Disruption to Accountability,” will host a dynamic four-day event in Durban, South Africa and will critically engage with the film industry, focusing on themes of social responsibility, intellectual property protection, artist rights, workplace equality, and the impact of environmental changes on production.
