The premier film industry event in Africa, the Durban FilmMart (DFM) 2026, took place from 9 to 12 October in Durban, under the theme “Shifting Worlds: Turning Towards Ourselves” successfully bringing together 1131 film professionals and filmmakers from 56 countries across the world.
“We are delighted to have hosted such a dynamic array of filmmakers and industry leaders in Durban. Delegates entrusted us with their projects and ideas, and had honest, uncompromising conversations about alternative funding pathways, equitable co-production and authentic partnerships,” says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI). “The talent showcased in this year’s programme and film projects exemplifies the strength of African cinema; networks expanded, and partnerships forged will extend DFM’s legacy and impact. We extend our gratitude to our partners for their support in celebrating and elevating African storytellers, producers and content creators.”
“The quality of the projects presented in this year was exceptional, with filmmakers bringing bold, original and well-developed work to the table,” adds Reddy. “That calibre was matched by the generosity of the organisations, funders and festivals who came to Durban to recognise it. Every prize, whether it is a cash grant, a place in a lab or market, or a mentorship, opens a door for these filmmakers, and we are deeply grateful to our partners for their continued belief in African storytelling.”
The event ended on a high with the presentation of 39 awards from 30 partners, valuing over R2 million (over $120 938,00).
Category – Cash Awards:
The JustFilms Documentary Award (Ford Foundation) – Award of 10,000 USD
THE THREAD AND THE WALL – LE FIL ET LE MUR (Algeria)
Producer/Director: Mouni Bouallam
Al Jazeera Co-production Award of 10,000 USD
ON THE SEA ROAD (Palestine)
Director: Fitnat Waked with participation of Nour Obaid
Climate Story Labs Award of 10,000 USD
The award is on behalf of Climate Story Labs Africa and Doc Society, in collaboration with UMI Fund.
THE BIRTH OF DERNA (Libya)
Director: Hussein Eddeb
National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa (NFVF)
- Best Fiction – Grant of R100,000
THE BOY WHO SPOKE STATIC (Nigeria)
Agbajowo Collective: Temitope Ogungbamila, Samuel Okechukwu, Mat Cerf (Lead Producer) and Bisola Akinmuyiwa
- Best Non-fiction – Grant of R100,000
THE ONES WITH THE TEMPERED FLOWERS (Kenya)
Producer: Ivy Kiru
Director: Neema Ngelime
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- Best Animation – Grant of R100,000
SUNDAY MORNING (Ethiopia)
Producer: Nahom Abiy
Director: Minasie Terefe
Inkaba Award (Stained Glass TV) – Award of R30,000
DADDIES (South Africa)
Producer: Catharina Weinek
Director: Sean Mongie
NEWF Natural World Storytelling Grant of 5,000 USD
A TOUCH OF PARADISE (Tunisia)
Producer: Sarra Ben Hassen
Director: Houcem Slouli
Red Sea Film Fund Award – Fiction of 5,000 USD
- HEIRS OF NO REGRET (Kenya)
Producer: Mumo Liku
Director: Saitabao Kaiyare
- THE BOY WHO SPOKE STATIC (Nigeria)
Agbajowo Collective: Temitope Ogungbamila, Samuel Okechukwu, Mat Cerf (Lead Producer) and Bisola Akinmuyiwa
Docubox Award of 5,000 USD
WHERE DO I BELONG? (Sudan)
Producer: Talal AfifI
Director: Ibrahim “Snoopy” Ahmad
TRT Award of 5,000 USD
ON THE SEA ROAD (Palestine)
Director: Fitnat Waked with participation of Nour Obaid
RRImpact Pitch Prize (DocA) of 5,000 USD
MY DJOMÉLÉ NIGHT (Burkina Faso)
Producer: Cinema Salama
Director: Barkima Nafissatou Laguempedo
Sundance Institute Documentary Fund New Voices Award of 5,000 USD grant
WHERE DO I BELONG? (Sudan)
Producer: Talal Afifi
Director: Ibrahim “Snoopy” Ahmad
The Whickers Bursary Award of 3,000 GB POUNDS
GREEN ISLAND GIRLS (Egypt)
Producer: Amrosh Badr
Director: Rogena Tarek
Sunshine Cinema UCT Impact Development Award
The award comprises a bursary to the University of Cape Town Sunshine Cinema Film Impact Online Course of 2027 to the value of R18000 and a R7500 grant towards a first impact screening of the film.
Includes optional inclusion in the Sunshine Cinema distribution catalogue.
- PÜLÖ: BLOODSTREAM OF THE KIRIKE (Nigeria)
Producer/Director: Christina Ifubaraboye
- ON THE SEA ROAD (Palestine)
Director: Fitnat Waked with participation of Nour Obaid
Category – Market/Event Participation Award
DFMI Talents Durban Award
Flights, accommodation and accreditation to participate in the DFM Pitch and Finance Forum 2027
THE BASEMENT (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Director: Mélanie K. ZAWADI
Sørfond Award
Flights, accommodation and accreditation to participate in the Sørfond Pitching Forum and a pitch course
- THE BOY WHO SPOKE STATIC (Nigeria)
Agbajowo Collective: Temitope Ogungbamila, Samuel Okechukwu, Mat Cerf (Lead Producer) and Bisola Akinmuyiwa
- WHERE DO I BELONG? (Sudan)
Producer: Talal Afifi
Director: Ibrahim “Snoopy” Ahmad
Rotterdam Lab Award
5 nights’ accommodation and accreditation to participate in the Rotterdam Lab
FOUR MONTHS AND TEN DAYS (Sudan)
Producer: Samo Hussein
Co-producer: Anna Stylińska
Director: Alyaa Musa
The DOK Leipzig Award
3 nights’ accommodation and 2 accreditations to participate in DOK Leipzig 2027 as the selected project in the DOK Co-Pro Market
THE ONES WITH THE TEMPERED FLOWERS (Kenya)
Producer: Ivy Kiru
Director: Neema Ngelime
The FIDADOC Award
Flights, accommodation and accreditation to participate in the FIDADOC Pan African Writing Residency 2027
- THE BIRTH OF DERNA (Libya)
Director: Hussein Eddeb
- FITAMPOHA, THE RETURN OF THE KING OF MENABE (Madagascar)
Director: Ramaroson Anatole
Movies that Matter Award
Accommodation and accreditation to attend Movies That Matter 2027
THE ONES WITH THE TEMPERED FLOWERS (Kenya)
Producer: Ivy Kiru
Director: Neema Ngelime
Animation Production Days (APD) Award
3 nights’ Accommodation and Industry badge (producer accreditation) to participate in Animation Production Days 2027
SUNDAY MORNING (Ethiopia)
Producer: Nahom Abiy
Director: Minasie Terefe
DOK.fest München Award
4 nights’ accommodation and 2 accreditations for the project team and to attend DOK.fest München 2027 and participate in the DOK.forum marketplace
WHERE DO I BELONG? (Sudan)
Producer: Talal AfifI
Director: Ibrahim “Snoopy” Ahmad
Sheffield Doc Fest Award
4 nights’ accommodation to attend the Sheffield DocFest 2027 with an Industry pass and a full waiver to submit to the MeetMarket
THE ONES WITH THE TEMPERED FLOWERS (Kenya)
Producer: Ivy Kiru
Director: Neema Ngelime
NEWF Post-Production Residency Award
A post-production residency at eKhaya, NEWF’s Storytelling, Research and Dive Centre (maximum 3 team members)
THE BIRTH OF DERNA (Libya)
Director: Hussein Eddeb
NEWF Summit Attendance Award
NEWF Summit attendance, including flights and accommodation (maximum 2 team members)
SECOND BLOOM (Zimbabwe)
Director: Tendaiishe Chitima
El Gouna Emerge Award
7 nights’ shared accommodation,ground transport and accreditation for El Gouna Film Festival 2026
- THE BIRTH OF DERNA (Libya)
Director: Hussein Eddeb
- CAUSE, EFFECT & MAYBE CONSEQUENCES (Nigeria)
Director: Cheyi Okoaye
Talents Press Award presented by CIFF and FIPRESCI
Flights, 5 nights’ accommodation and accreditation for Cairo International Film Festival 2026 for the selected Talents Press participant
NEYA Harouna (Burkina Faso)
TFL x IEFTF Next Award (TorinoFilmLab)
A place in the TorinoFilmLab programme, with the stage of development to be determined with the Lab
FOUR MONTHS AND TEN DAYS (Sudan)
Producer: Samo Hussein
Director: Alyaa Musa
Visions du Reel Award
Accommodation and accreditation and to participate in the Visions du Reel Market 2027 THE ONES WITH THE TEMPERED FLOWERS
Producer: Ivy Kiru
Director: Neema Ngelime
Category – Mentorship, Distribution and Membership
Women Make Movies Award
Best Pitch by a Women Filmmaker. Acceptance into the Production Assistance Program, which includes fiscal sponsorship allowing filmmakers to raise grants in the U.S.; individualised fundraising, distribution and ongoing project consultations, including feedback on rough cuts; a project page on WMM’s website to facilitate online donations; access to WMM’s catalogue of more than 700 films; social media support for crowdfunding campaigns, screenings and events; promotion of the completed film; one year of free WMM webinars on the business side of the business and case studies; and scheduled use of WMM’s NYC office, including the conference room for meetings or rough-cut screenings.
ON THE SEA ROAD (Palestine)
Director: Fitnat Waked with participation of Nour Obaid
Impronta Films Consultancy Award
Distribution consultancy
- WAITING FOR EVOLUTION (South Africa)
Producer/Director: Karin Slater
- DESIGNING DIVIDE (South Africa)
Producer/ Director: Jessie Ayles
The Wrapped App Award: Wrapped premium subscription of 3 months worth R31500
SECOND BLOOM (Zimbabwe)
Director: Tendaiishe Chitima
The 17th Durban FilmMart, held in association with MultiChoice, with principal funding from the National Lotteries Commission and the National Film and Video Foundation, and the support of the Ford Foundation, Netflix, MTN Group and the Industrial Development Corporation, among others.
The success of the annual Durban FilmMart is made possible through the generous support of funders and partners, eThekwini Municipality, Durban Film Office, Ford Foundation, National Film and Video Foundation, Splashout, MTN Group, KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, Expertise France and GIZ, The International Emerging Film Talent Fund, NEFTI, Industrial Development Corporation, Netflix, CNC, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Arab Culture Fund, Avalon Group, French Institute of South Africa, Animation SA, African Producers Accelerator, Berlinale Talents, Canada High Commission of South Africa, Caribbeantales and the Cross Continental Forum, Chiriseri Studios, Climate Story Labs Africa, Cape Town International Animation Festival, Dante Languages, Department of Communication and Digital Technology, Disabled Audio-Visual Worker’s Network, Documentary Filmmakers Association, Durban International Film Festival, Doc Society, Docubox, Documentary Africa, Durban University of Technology, Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Embassy of Cote d’Ivoire, European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs, FIVA, FIPRESCI, Gauteng Film Commission, Independent Black Filmmakers Collective, IMPACT (Canada), Independent Producers Organisation, Habesha Creative, Ladima Foundation, Nature Environment Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF), South African Audio Visual Cluster, South African Guild of Actors, South Africa Guild of Editors, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, Storyboard Collective, Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), SASFED, Palestine Film Institute, Tunga Media Afrika, WGSA, WiC. Media Partners include Arena Holdings and Variety.
